Apr-07
Pay-TV operators still circumspect about mobile content

Pay-television market players in Asia have started to see real returns in recent years. New digital services like interactive TV, mobile content and Internet Protocol television (IPTV) are generating huge interest and hype, with technological progress being made all the time and the boundaries between traditional media segments becoming more and more blurred.

In the digital space, Asia's pay-television operators expect interactive TV to generate better financial returns than mobile content over the next two years, according to a recent Fusion Consulting survey of 44 companies across the region. Interactive TV includes video-on-demand and movies-on-demand and is becoming especially popular in countries like India and Pakistan where there is strong demand for new and premium movies.

Several pay-TV companies - in Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Philippines, Hong Kong and Australia - disagree however, saying that mobile content will be the next big thing. "Indonesia has a large installed base of mobile phone users and a competitive mobile operator environment. I believe this creates a potential for large uptake of video to mobile phone services" said one Jakarta-based operator.

In Korea, with its extremely high Internet penetration, operators are betting on IPTV as the big winner, and it is gaining traction in Taiwan as well.

As yet the business models that will capture real revenue remain largely unknown, in what will eventually be a multi-billion dollar digital business.

Asia-Pacific pay-TV operators survey (available Feb-07) Find out what the major platforms in Asia and Australia think about your programming offering, and their plans for the future. This survey targets programming managers at 50 platforms across the region, focusing on the largest in each country. Topics include channel/brand level programming quality, sales and marketing, on-air promotions, value for money and development plans. Confidential custom questions available to sponsors. Price US$5,500 for sponsors (including one month exclusive on the main report); US$1,850 for main report only. Pre-publication discount for orders placed before 30-Nov-06. Request details here

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About Fusion Consulting
Fusion Consulting is a business intelligence consultancy providing strategic advice on Asia-Pacific markets. With offices in Shanghai, Singapore and Hong Kong, and a network of 400 freelance industry consultants in 16 countries, the company conducts custom research and consulting to help clients understand their markets, compete more effectively and grow into new areas of opportunity. www.fusionc.com

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