Music channels upgrade Korean presence

<p>SEOUL: Music television rivals Channel V and MTV have beefed up its </p><p>programming in Korea, just months after the Government deregulated the </p><p>industry to allow foreign ownership of media companies. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The two channels were previously aired via programming blocks within </p><p>cable channels. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>However, with the deregulation, both Channel V and MTV can have </p><p>ownership of up to 33 per cent of a media company, compared with the </p><p>complete ban on foreign ownership previously. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Ownership brings with it partnership oportunities such as Channel V's </p><p>venture with DoReMi Media, Korea's largest record label. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Jasper Donat, Channel V commercial director, claimed the partnership </p><p>gave Channel V a strong position in the market because "DoReMi has under </p><p>its label bands and singers who control 50 per cent of the Korean music </p><p>market". </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Donat added: "The differentiation for us will be that we will have </p><p>access to those artistes on an exclusive basis. This is important for us </p><p>because the local market wants local programming." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Both Channel V and MTV will offer an 80-20 mix of local/international </p><p>programming targeted at the 18 to 35 age group. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>MTV's partnership in Korea is with On Media, a multi-channel cable </p><p>provider, which is part of entertainment chaebol Tang Yang Group. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>MTV North Asia vice-president and managing director, Harry Hui, said: </p><p>"Our product has four cornerstones; music mix, content, VJs and </p><p>packaging, which will be predominantly local." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>MTV's Korea launch has been accompanied by a major print-led campaign, </p><p>which uses babies as the central image to symbolise rebirth. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>