Under the deal, Star and SMG subsidiary Shanghai Broadcasting Network
will produce about 20 reports on a variety of social and economic issues
on Shanghai and the surrounding region.
The reports will be featured on Focus Asia as well as SMG channels across China, including its terrestrial channel, Shanghai TV and satellite channel Shanghai Broadcasting Network.
In a separate development, Star is preparing to launch a 24-hour
Mandarin-language general entertainment channel, Xing Kong Wei Shi, in
southern China after being one of the first broadcasters to win carriage
rights in the country.
The advertising-driven channel will target a young demographic segment - aged 18 to 40 - and plans to produce 700 hours of original programming in the first year. Star corporate affairs assistant manager, Benson Chao, said Star had secured about five advertisers to sponsor the planned programmes.
Xing Kong's launch brings to eight the number of Star channels available in China.
