China
May 20
2009 revenue from TV advertisement in China reached 67.6billion RMB, or 11% growth. Top 5 cities in TV advertisement revenue are Guangdong , Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Hunan. Morgan Stanley exclaimed 2010 will be an even better year for advertisement industry in China, especially from the new media sectors. Estimated 2010 revenue for Web TV advertisement could reach 24 billion RMB, or 22% growth.
May 19
Major cinema chain China Film Stella applied bankruptcy to court on money losing subsidiary, China Film Group United Film & TV Co., Ltd, and selling 40% of its share on Beijing China Film First Film Production Co., Ltd, as part of restructuring process in order to speed up its listing process within the year.
May 17
25 metropolitan TV stations in China signed memorandum to form alliance in sharing common operating platform for collaborative web TV. The collaboration allows efficient resources usage and wide range broadcasting, and the web TV is expected to be ready for browsing 6 months later.
May 17
China plans to invest up to RMB200 billion by 2012 to construct the world largest digital entertainment center in Shijinshan District of Beijing. Over the 17 km2 area, related enterprises are invited to participate in the development plan on game center, research facility, exhibition gallery, film production, and business corridors.
May 13
TV drama distribution right fees in China increased by 100 times in 5 years for web broadcast, from 2005 RMB300k to 2010 RMB3 million. The new 60-episode “Odyssey To The West” was sold at highest price RMB16.8 million in March, average RMB280K per episode. Web companies are earning at billions RMB, thus it is likely that an episode of TV drama will be sold at RMB1 or 2 million in the near future due to fierce competition.
May 12
World largest social network web company, Facebook, initiated head-hunting for Google executive and engineers in China as early as April, after Google announced to pull out from China. Such recruitment, which range from CEO to engineering positions, indicated that Facebook is preparing for market penetration to China off-shoring. Meanwhile, Google recently initiated hiring engineer from Nintendo and acquired Israeli game developer, indicating Google future development focus in game sector.
Southeast Asia
May 17
Recent years alliance and funding linked to Singapore Media Development Authority (MDA) for film collaborative development included Fortissimo Film Development Initiative (FDI), Tiger Gate partnership at USD1.1 billion, Hyde Park-Imagenation at USD75 million, Infinite Framework production fund USD20 million, and Hong Kong Salon Integrated Media Fund at USD70 million.
May 13
Culture, Communication and Multimedia Minister of Malaysia announced RM200 million fund to support software development with “Malaysianisation” touches. The initiative was inspired with the Korean success in localizing information technology, which could be more suitable and efficient for domestic needs. The Infrastructure and Communication ministry however, highlight the nation needs more attention in upgrading internet services to avoid cyberspace disruption.
May 12
Singapore-Australia co-produced stereoscopic 3D film, “Bait”, will start shooting in July. This film is partially financed by Singapore Media Development Authority (MDA) through International Film Fund (IFF), based on Australia-Singapore Co-production Treaty signed in 2007. Singapore 3D specialists Widescreen Media and Blackmagic Design will support the visual effects on filming and post-production.
Hong Kong & Taiwan
May 13
Microsoft will work closely with Taiwanese restaurant partners to help branding its new products, such as Window 7, for fast market penetration. Small and medium enterprises, which totaled 1.23 million companies occupying 97.7% of Taiwan enterprises, conduct vast of their business discussions in restaurants. The idea was leveraging from experience in France, where Microsoft tied up with local café for marketing promotion.