Broadcasters dispute policies

South Korean broadcasters are joining forces in response to the administration's new media policies, states The Hankyoreah.

The regional broadcasters' objections to the recently amended South Korean media laws revolve around how privatisation of the industry may have a far greater negative effect on areas outside of the capital region.

They fear that local networks will not be able cope with the new general operators whose audience market will be national.

Japan's Jupiter Telecommunications (JCom) is buying another 36.4% of sports broadcaster J Sports Broadcasting Corporation (JSB), lifting its holding to 69.8%, reports Rapid TV News.

JSB is Japan's largest sports channel with 7.645 million subscribers and its subscription revenue is the largest in the country's channel industry.

JCom says that by integrating JSB as a consolidated subsidiary, the company will use all of its resources to promote production and planning of programmes that are appealing to its viewers. JCom adds that it aims to expand the multi-channel pay television market.

CNN has developed an application designed for its news content to be accessed by users via Sony Ericcson's Xperia X1, says APB news.

This agreement between CNN International's parent company, Turner Broadcasting System, and Sony Ericsson is a non-exclusive cooperation covering the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, the Middle East and Africa and Russia, excluding Japan.

Ringo Chan, vice-president of wireless and interactive content, development and distribution, Turner Asia-Pacific, says: “This offering gives users a hands-on media rich browsing experience. With Sony Ericcson's Xperia X1, consumption of news is now brought up to a whole new level as consumers demand more from how content is delivered.”