Observers, however, noted that the Media Development Authority (MDA) was also to blame for not clarifying where it stood on the issue of exclusive content, a key concern for any company interested in taking on incumbent StarHub Cable Vision (SCV). After the tender closed, SCV announced plans to launch a new digital cable TV service by year-end, offering interactive applications. The loss-making cable operator has a 35 per cent penetration rate. It offers more than 40 channels and has exclusive broadcast rights for premium channels such as HBO and ESPN.
The MDA said that it would remain open to expressions of interest when market conditions improve.
- See p22.