SATELLITE & CABLE: Hallmark moves into Macau, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh

<p>Hallmark Entertainment Network has boosted its presence in the </p><p>Indian subcontinent and Greater China, following an agreement with Sri </p><p>Lanka's Grant Cable, Saarc Media Services in Bangladesh and Macau Cable </p><p>TV. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The latest additions to Hallmark Entertainment Network's chain of </p><p>affiliated partners in Asia-Pacific is to increase the number of homes </p><p>accessing the channel to more than 10.4 million. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Macau Cable TV, the exclusive supplier of pay TV services in Macau, has </p><p>featured Hallmark Entertainment Network on its 40 programme channels in </p><p>Cantonese, Mandarin and English since it began its commercial operations </p><p>to private homes, hotels and commercial establishments in July. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Mr Terence Yau, president and MD, Hallmark Entertainment Network </p><p>Asia-Pacific, said: "The new agreements signed in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh </p><p>and Macau mark important inroads into new markets for Hallmark </p><p>Entertainment Network Asia-Pacific. This is an exhilarating time for the </p><p>company and we will see some exciting developments in the coming months </p><p>as our investments in these key markets grow. Each of these affiliates </p><p>has a lot of potential." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The agreement in Bangladesh with Saarc Media Services went into effect </p><p>in September, allowing subscribers to watch Hallmark Entertainment </p><p>Network's line-up of family-based movies, mini-series and a dedicated </p><p>children's block. According to Saarc Media Services, the number of </p><p>paying subscribers is likely to increase by mid next year. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The accord with Grant Cable marks Hallmark Entertainment Network's first </p><p>step into the largely untapped Sri Lankan market. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The deal, which comes also into effect this month, is to initially add </p><p>subscribers to Hallmark Entertainment Network. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>