Japan gears up for digital TV

Hong Kong is planning to launch a satellite television channel in Japan, with broadcasting set to begin in 2011, says Market Watch.

News Corporation is considering establishing a new wholly owned subsidiary, in addition to its local unit News Broadcasting Japan Company, through which it will apply for a broadcasting licence.

The move comes as Japan is preparing to issue as many as 20 new satellite channels, up from 10, as part of the changeover to digital television in July 2011.

ABC's World News has begun broadcasting in high-definition, reports TV Predictions.

ABC's switch coincides with the Democratic National Convention, in Denver.

Following the two convention weeks, World News will return to its New York studios on 8 September and begin producing in HD there.

In a self-regulatory measure, US private television broadcasters have announced the setting up of a News Broadcasting Standards Authority to enforce its code of ethics and broadcasting standards, says NDTV.

This is the first initiative through which the US public can put forth their grievances over TV content. The authority will become operational on 2 October.

The association believes that media that is meant to expose the lapses in government and in public life cannot be regulated by government, or it would lack credibility.