Top Stories

HONG KONG: Apple is expanding its iTunes Store to a number of Asian markets, including Hong Kong, the Philippines and Malaysia, allowing consumers to rent or purchase movies from several Hollywood studios. Apple had previously only made the App Store available in the much of region, offering the iTunes Store solely …

TOKYO: Hulu has scored HBO programming, including Sex and the City and The Sopranos, for its Japanese service, which has increased its content offering by more than 300 percent since its September 2011 launch. Select HBO shows are currently available for subscribers in Japan, with additional series, including Entourage and …

BEVERLY HILLS: Jiaflix Enterprises has entered into a partnership with China Movie Channel’s online subsidiary M1905 to stream Chinese and international feature films through both subscription VOD (SVOD) and transactional VOD (TVOD) services throughout China, having already secured a multi-year licensing deal with Paramount Pictures. Jiaflix is now M1905’s exclusive …

SHANGHAI: STAR China Media, co-owned by News Corporation, is partnering with the Shanghai-based Puji Capital in a joint venture to invest in and develop international content for the STAR platform in China. STAR China Media, co-owned by News Corp. and China Media Capital, operates the Xing Kong Mandarin-language entertainment channel …

BEIJING: The Chinese Internet-TV outfit Youku has landed an agreement with NBCUniversal International Television Distribution that brings to the service feature films such as Schindler’s List for VOD in China. The multi-year deal includes current, library and upcoming movies. Among those available for on-demand viewing through Youku Premium are movies …

SYDNEY: Network Ten has established a joint venture with the social TV platform zeebox that will bring the second-screen app to Australia later this year. The JV, zeebox Australia, will bring the app into the local market for use on the iPhone, iPad and Android devices starting in the third quarter …

SINGAPORE: The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (IATAS) and the Asia Television Forum (ATF) are jointly launching an International Emmy Award Nominees showcase, which will take place at this year’s ATF in Singapore in December. The current year’s International Emmy Award Nominees will be invited to Asia to …

SINGAPORE: MediaCorp and TBS Television are jointly producing a weekly show that will highlight fashion trends in Tokyo, set to broadcast starting this fall on Channel U. The two companies will also jointly conduct a feasibility study on television-based e-commerce opportunities in Singapore. The deal between MediaCorp and TBS builds …

HONG KONG: A number of additions have been made to the CASBAA membership roster, including Brightcove and Kantar Media Audiences. China-based SMiT (Shenzhen State Micro Technology) has joined the CASBAA Council of Governors. The company provides software and devices for the delivery of digital content. New corporate members for CASBAA …

KUALA LUMPUR: The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia has secured carriage for Disney XD on Malaysian operator Astro’s basic platform, with the channel to be available in English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin and Tamil. Delivered in SD and HD beginning September 15, the 24-hour network for kids 6 to 14 will …