Launches premium channels on Cable Thai Holding’s pay-TV platform
PCCW (SEHK:0008) – HONG KONG / BANGKOK, THAILAND, December 7, 2012 – PCCW Media Limited, the operator of now TV, Hong Kong’s largest quad-play pay-TV provider, has entered into an agreement with Cable Thai Holding Public Company Limited (CTH), the first and largest broadband cable operator in Thailand, to distribute three now TV brand channels on CTH’s pay-TV platform. This new agreement is the second milestone in now TV’s international expansion roadmap, following its foray into Malaysia in October.
Starting from February 2013, CTH’s customers can enjoy the following premium Chinese-language content:
- now International offers an array of high quality cooking, lifestyle, travel programs, along with a wide selection of popular variety shows and entertainment news programs of now TV. Produced in HD quality, these programs are tailored for middle-income group viewers who appreciate higher quality of life. Some of the most popular productions include One Life One Earth, 18/22, Chef Corner, Station 102 and You are the Queen.
- now Mango, a joint venture between now TV and Hunan Broadcasting System, is not to be missed by anyone looking for a close encounter of the A-list artistes from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan – Zhang Ziyi, Aaron Kwok, Faye Wong and Shu Qi are just some of the stars appearing in the interview talk shows of Happy Camp and World of Women. The channel also carries top-rated Chinese entertainment and variety programs with pop stars and celebrities from the region.
- now HaiRun is a drama series channel broadcasting high-quality productions of Hairun Media which feature renowned artistes from mainland China and Hong Kong. Series including The Era of Late Marriage and Special Citizen are just some examples of its attractive lineup.
Ms. Janice Lee, PCCW’s Managing Director of TV & New Media, said, “The partnership with CTH, an energetic and fast growing pay-TV player in Thailand, follows hot on the heels of our launch in Malaysia. We are confident that our now-branded premium content will be highly welcomed by the Chinese communities in Thailand. In addition to that, the channels will also be subtitled and dubbed into Thai language to cater to the local audience. We look forward to further expanding our distribution footprint to other countries.”
Mr. Wichai Thongtang, CTH’s Chairman, said, “We are very pleased to welcome now TV into our CTH family. As CTH is re-launching its brand and operation with the new digital broadband network, we will grow from a merely 16 channels to 120 channels – over 70 premium channels. Adding three new now TV channels to our repertoire will help enhance our drama series and variety programs. We are certain that Thai audience will enjoy now TV’s premium quality content. We hope that our partnership with now TV will prove to be a success for both of us.”
In October, PCCW Media Limited signed an overseas content distribution agreement with Telekom Malaysia (TM) to launch the three premium channels on TM’s IPTV service, HyppTV.
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About now TV
PCCW Media Limited’s now TV is one of the world’s largest commercial deployments of IPTV and is Hong Kong’s largest pay-TV service. PCCW Media Limited is the multimedia and entertainment subsidiary of PCCW Limited.
now TV serves Hong Kong with more than 180 channels of local, Asian and international programming, including premium content such as Spanish La Liga, English FA Cup, NBA, French Open, US Open, ATP World Tour, BWF Super Series, World Snooker Tour, F1 and PGA Tour. In addition, now TV is both a leading producer of news, sports and infotainment programming and a provider of a wide range of interactive services. now TV can be enjoyed on the eye devices provided by HKT, the telecommunications subsidiary of PCCW Limited. Select now TV content and interactive applications can also be accessed via HKT’s 3G mobile network and broadband service. To learn more about now TV, please visit www.now.com.
About PCCW Limited
PCCW Limited (SEHK: 0008) is a Hong Kong-based company which holds interests in telecommunications, media, IT solutions, property development and investment, and other businesses.
PCCW Limited holds a majority interest in HKT, Hong Kong’s premier telecommunications service provider. HKT meets the needs of the Hong Kong public and local and international businesses with a wide range of services including local telephony, local data and broadband, international telecommunications, mobile, and other telecommunications businesses such as customer premises equipment sale, outsourcing, consulting, and contact centers.
PCCW Limited also owns a fully integrated multimedia and entertainment group in Hong Kong, PCCW Media Limited, which operates now TV, a highly successful IPTV operation. As the provider of Hong Kong’s first quadruple-play experience, PCCW offers a range of innovative media content and services across four delivery platforms – fixed-line, broadband Internet access, TV and mobile.
Also wholly-owned by the PCCW Group, PCCW Solutions is a leading information technology outsourcing and business process outsourcing provider in Hong Kong and mainland China.
In addition, PCCW Limited holds a majority interest in Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited, and overseas investments including the wholly-owned UK Broadband Limited. To learn more about PCCW, please visit www.pccw.com.
About Cable Thai Holding
Cable Thai Holding, Plc. or CTH was founded in 2009 by over 100 cable TV operators from all over Thailand in order to improve and provide quality contents to Thai viewers. Today, there are more than more than 3.5 million households or over 12 million viewers nationwide watching CTH programs.
Under the new National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission of Thailand’s new regulations to turn analogue signal to digital signal, there is a need for CTH to go beyond the content acquisition arm of the Association. The management saw the opportunity to build the business beyond cable TV by developing their own optical fiber network covering the whole country. Thus, CTH becomes a broadband cable operator and platform management, distributing variety of customized digital data such as Cable TV Broadcasting, Broadband Internet, and other related products & services for individuals and business customers.
For further information, please contact:
Ivan Ho
Corporate Communications
PCCW Group
Tel: +852 2883 8747
Email: ivan.wy.ho@pccw.com
Chananta Santikul
Brand Communications Manager
CTH
Tel. +6682-6161775
Email: chananta.s@cth.co.th