23 February 2016
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili used his visit to RFE/RL’s Prague headquarters today to affirm his government’s commitment to Europe, amidst fraught relations within the region and between the West and Russia over European security, Ukraine, and Syria.
The visit, part of an official two-day trip to the Czech Republic that included meetings with political counterparts, business leaders, and students, came just days after the prime minister spoke exclusively with RFE/RL’s Georgian Service in Tbilisi in his first major interview with any media since assuming office on December 30, 2015. The interview was cited by dozens of media outlets in both Georgia and Russia, and reached 200,000 people via the Georgian Service’s Facebook page and website.
In the interview, Kvirikashvili declared, “We are not moving towards Europe, but we are Europe,” removing any ambiguity about his government’s political vision. He said, “We will do everything in our power to make sure that every citizen of Georgia, every business entity, every single small-scale entrepreneur becomes aware of the benefits of European integration.”
He then described how his government would reconcile its European aspirations with the challenges posed by Russia. “We are doing everything we can to bring our message to Russian politicians — that Georgia, with its Western values, pro-Western orientation and its desire to integrate with the West, is not opposing Russia and is not seeking any confrontation with Russia.” At the same time, Kvirikashvili flatly rejected the possibility of political normalization with Russia absent its recognition of Georgia’s territorial integrity, calling this principle “fundamental” and beyond compromise.
Kvirikashvili spoke warmly of Georgia’s relationship with the U.S., characterizing it as “one of our best,” and recognized the U.S. as “a very solid supporter of Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
About RFE/RL and its Georgian Service
RFE/RL is a private, independent international news organization whose programs — radio, Internet, television, and mobile — reach influential audiences in 23 countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, the republics of Central Asia and the Caucasus. It is funded by the U.S. Congress through the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG).
RFE/RL’s Georgian Service, Radio Tavisupleba is a rare, and award-winning, source of balanced journalism in a country where much of the press openly supports, both editorially and through the selection of news, either the government or the opposition. ( Source: RFE/RL press release)
19 February 2016
NHK WORLD TV, a 24-hr English language channel, further consolidates its IPTV presence in Asia with its launch on PEO TV on 8 February 2016 in a deal with Sri Lanka Telecom PLC. This launch effectively adds 160,000 new subscribers to NHK WORLD TV’s existing presence via broadband in Sri Lanka.
“This deal, coming soon after our successful launch in Indonesia (October) and Vietnam (November) last year, demonstrates the relevance of NHK WORLD TV’s content in Asia. Going forward, we will continue to provide up-to-date domestic and international news on Asia from various perspectives with accuracy and speed to our discerning subscribers,” said Yoshihiko Shimizu, President and CEO, Japan International Broadcasting.
Yoshihiko Shimizu added that the wide variety of entertainment programs available to the new subscribers will make the English language channel a complete package for the whole family.
Operating from Japan, NHK WORLD TV is a 24-hour English language television service for international viewers; providing the latest Asia-centered informative and entertainment programs. NHK WORLD TV is available to 290 million households in 150 countries and regions. It is accessible via free mobile app, online live-streaming and video-on-demand on its website. (Source: NHK World TV press release)
15 February 2016
RICHARD QUEST NAMED EDITOR-AT-LARGE
CNN Worldwide announced today the expansion of its CNNMoney brand internationally, across both TV and digital, to provide consumers around the world its industry-leading business and financial news and analysis. With the addition of staff in London, Dubai, New Delhi and Hong Kong, CNNMoney will launch new franchises, series, features and reporting tailored directly to the regions and audiences it covers.
CNNMoney International builds on the success of CNNMoney U.S., while utilising the power and reach of CNN International, all under one banner.
“By uniting our portfolio of U.S. and international business reporting under the CNNMoney brand, we now offer an even more compelling product to globally-minded consumers hungry for a smart, accessible business and financial news experience – everywhere in the world,” said Mike McCarthy, senior vice president and general manager of CNN International.
Coverage from CNNMoney will span Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America. It will focus on global markets and the economy, business strategy, corporate leadership, global brands, business travel, lifestyle and luxury, as well as industries such as auto, energy and technology.
The venture will tap the talents of Richard Quest, Nina dos Santos and Maggie Lake whose programmes will represent CNNMoney on television. CNNMoney View with Nina dos Santos will air at 6a ET from London,CNNMoney with Maggie Lake will air at 9a ET and Quest Means Business, anchored by Richard Quest, will air from New York at 4p ET. In addition, Quest will now serve as editor-at-large for CNNMoney and he will pen a global daily newsletter “CNNMoney Presents: Quest Means Business,” timed to the open of the Asia markets.
Also joining the CNNMoney roster are John Defterios, emerging markets editor based in Abu Dhabi; Andrew Stevens, Asia Pacific editor based in Hong Kong; Eleni Giokos, Africa business correspondent based in Johannesburg; and Samuel Burke, CNNMoney business correspondent based in New York. The multi-platform editorial teams will be led by Penny Manis, director of global business news programming based in New York, and Mark Thompson, managing editor of CNNMoney International who is based in London.
The global initiative will also expand CNNMoney’s data-driven storytelling and digital war rooms to international bureaux, arming reporters with the most advanced tools and analytics available to drive and react to stories in the global marketplace.
“CNNMoney is a unique business offering built on the pillars of journalistic excellence, unprecedented scale of premium audiences and industry-leading use of data insight,” said Petra Malenicka, SVP, Advertising Sales, Western Europe and the Americas, CNN International. “The synergy of the CNNMoney brand, the highly relevant content and the effective turn-key commercial solutions powered by granular targeting creates the most compelling advertising proposition for any brand that wants to engage with the premium business audience at scale in specific regions, markets or globally.”
For more information on CNNMoney’s global expansion and products, see the editor’s note from CNNMoney Executive Editor Lex Haris here. (Source: CNN press release)
11 February 2016
Following its launch in Japan, Euronews confirms the success of its expansion in the Asia/Pacific region and announces new agreements in South Korea and Mongolia.
Since 2012, expanding distribution in Asia and Pacific has been a priority for Euronews, which now reaches 23.5 million subscribers in 15 countries* of the region, marking an all-time high.
Within the region South Korea is now the country with the greatest distribution of international news media, with over 6.5 million subscribers.
Euronews and Hyundai HCN have announced that, since January, the Euronews English service has been available 24/7 via the mobile application Everyon TV.
Designed for all equipment and every brand of smartphone, tablet and computer, the free application has already been downloaded by 6.5 million users. This distribution via an OTT platform is a first for Euronews in this country, where it is already broadcast via the cable operator Tbroad and by IPTV through Korea Telecom.
Everyon TV is a N-screen service which provides 250 live channels via PC, smart phone, smart TV and OTT for free in everywhere.
In Mongolia, Euronews confirms its presence with two new agreements for the 24/7 English service.
Euronews is now available in the basic offer of the country’s digital terrestrial television network operated by Mongolia Digital Broadcasting (MNBC) and has also become a part of the leading satellite platform DDish.
Arnaud Verlhac, Worldwide Distribution Director of Euronews said: “Asia/Pacific is an extremely competitive market where there are real opportunities for international media. Our strategy of proximity, reflected by the assignment of a member of our distribution team to Singapore in September 2015, enables us to be more reactive and closer than ever to our clients.”
Sabrina Mimouni, Euronews Asia-Pacific Distribution Manager, added: “These latest agreements are representative of the multiple distribution tools available to media. Euronews’ adaptability is a key element in this region, which is highly sought-after by the international media and where national competition is strong.”
* Euronews APAC
23.5 million subscribers in 15 countries
Euronews is available mainly in English:
. Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand
. Central Asia: India, Mongolia
. Northeast Asia: South Korea, Japan, Taiwan
. Pacific: Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua-New-Guinea
(Source: Euronews press release)
10 February 2016
New appointments to focus on content sales around US elections, digital products and branded channel launches
CNN has appointed a new Commercial Director, EMEA, and Head of Product for its Content Sales, Partnerships and Out of Home business as it increases its content and services offering for international affiliates and partners.
Kostas Oikonomou joins CNN International as Commercial Director, Content Sales and Partnerships, EMEA, to work with existing and new TV and digital publishers across the region to license CNN’s award-winning content, utilise CNN reporting, consultancy and training, and launch CNN-branded linear and digital channels. Oikonomou has a long track-record of editorial, commercial and consultancy roles at Discovery Communications, Al-Jazeera English, Associated Press and NBC News.
Hristo Guertchev is appointed as CNN International’s Head of Product for Content Sales and Out of Home. Guertchev will work closely with CNN editorial, technology and commercial teams to define, develop and deliver products and services for CNN’s international TV and digital affiliate publishers and out of home partners such as hotels and airlines. Guertchev joins CNN International Commercial from Reuters, where he spent six years in a range of commercial and product roles, most recently as Senior Product Manager, Video.
The appointments come at an important time for CNN International Commercial as it offers partners an enhanced offering for CNN content – particularly from CNN Politics in the build-up to the US Elections – and a wider range of training, consultancy and brand licensing opportunities. This portfolio of services spans: the CNN Journalism Fellowship programme, which has trained over 1,000 journalists from CNN affiliates since it was launched in 1989 and now includes Digital and Leadership training programmes; full-service support and consultancy to launch new affiliate channels such as the successful N1 channel in the Adria region; and working closely with partners to launch CNN-branded linear and digital channels such as CNN Philippines, CNN Indonesia and digital-only service CNN Greece. New products planned for CNN International clients include an API and new forms of digital delivery of content to publishers and out of home partners.
Both Guertchev and Oikonomou report to Greg Beitchman, Vice President, Content Sales and Partnerships, CNN International.
“I’m delighted to have Kostas and Hristo on-board to spearhead CNN International’s growth in content sales and services for our growing range of partners,” said Greg Beitchman. “CNN has the distinctive content, trusted brand values and decades-long know-how to help linear and digital publishers remain relevant in a news landscape that continues to change at rapid pace. As 2016 looks set to be a busy news year in sports, politics, business and news, CNN International Commercial is committed to bringing a greater range of content and services to our partners.”
About Kostas Oikonomou
Kostas Oikonomou has a history of working on both the journalistic and commercial sides of news and media organisations. Most recently in strategic consulting for Discovery Communications, Kostas previously spent eight years at Al-Jazeera English in a variety of roles across digital and TV, consultancy, business development and editorial. Based in Washington and Doha, Oikonomou managed large teams to deliver news coverage and in business areas such as strategic planning and analytics. Prior to Al-Jazeera, he held editorial roles at Associated Press and NBC News, including covering the 2004 Olympics in his home city of Athens. Oikonomou gained an MBA from Said Business School, University of Oxford, UK, in 2012.
About Hristo Guertchev
Hristo Guertchev joins CNN after six years at Reuters News Agency where he held business development and product roles in Switzerland, Singapore and London. Most recently as Senior Product Manager, Guertchev has managed the Reuters video portfolio and defined commercial policy for broadcast and digital products. He also delivered new propositions such as a multi-million dollar revenue-generating live streaming video product. In 2014, Guertchev was selected for Thomson Reuters Leadership Development Programme and holds a Masters in International Management at the London School of Economics and ESADE Barcelona.
About CNN International
CNN’s portfolio of news and information services is available in seven different languages across all major TV, digital and mobile platforms reaching more than 400 million households around the globe. CNN International is the number one international TV news channel according to all major media surveys across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific region and Latin America and recently expanded its U.S. presence with its launch on CNNgo. CNN Digital is a leading network for online news, mobile news and social media. Over the years CNN has won multiple prestigious awards around the world for its journalism. CNN has 42 editorial offices and more than 1,100 affiliates worldwide through CNN Newsource. CNN International is part of Turner, a Time Warner company. (Source: CNN press release)
