Star TV defers plans for pay-TV platform in HK

<p>Star TV has decided to defer its plan to start a direct-to-home, </p><p>pay-TV platform in Hong Kong. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The immediate company focus will be in providing content services in the </p><p>liberalised Hong Kong market, leveraging the significant programming </p><p>assets Star has amassed over the last year. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The company is open to a licence application in the future, as the Hong </p><p>Kong government has indicated that fresh applications for a pay-TV </p><p>licence can be considered at any time. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>A statement issued by the regional broadcaster said Star remains "fully </p><p>committed to Hong Kong, and to the deployment of multi-services digital </p><p>television across the Asia Pacific region". </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Meanwhile, Star has opened a representative office in Shanghai, the </p><p>first regional broadcaster to do so. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"The establishment of a representative office signifies an important </p><p>recognition of our full commitment to China's broadcasting and </p><p>telecommunications industries," said Star chairman and CEO James </p><p>Murdoch. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"This comes at a particularly timely moment with China's impending entry </p><p>to the WTO, which we believe will foster unprecedented growth in these </p><p>two sectors." </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Star programming is currently distributed under a wide range of </p><p>syndication and affiliate arrangements as well as on a whole channel </p><p>basis, under the current Chinese government policy. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Meanwhile, Star has launched Indian channels Star Plus and Star News on </p><p>BskyB in the UK, with the aim of serving the 1.5 million Indian and </p><p>Asian ethnic people in the country. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Star Plus is a Hindi entertainment channel and Star News offers 24-hour </p><p>Indian news services. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"By partnering with BSkyB, we are enabling Indian and Asian communities </p><p>in the UK to enjoy the entertainment and news that their fellow </p><p>countrymen see everyday back home," said Star India chief executive </p><p>Peter Mukerjea. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>In Hong Kong, Star TV had secured exclusive broadcast rights to carry </p><p>movies starring Andy Lau in the next five years. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>