24 February 2016
Two days before the parliamentary elections in Iran, DW Director General has urged the government in Tehran to grant people access to information. “Internet censorship remains very common in Iran,” Limbourg said.
Access to the DW webpage in Farsi has been blocked since 2009. The circumvention software provided by DW has been accessible only irregularly since mid-January.
“Obviously the drastic encroachment on the freedom of the Internet is linked to the upcoming elections and DW’s extensive and balanced reporting,” Limbourg said.
On a special page in Farsi, DW offers information, analysis and opinions on the elections scheduled for next Friday.
Limbourg: “Blocking access to our Farsi website has led to a clear decrease in the number of page impressions in January in comparison to the month before. The Iranian government should become more transparent and end censorship.”
In the meantime DW would try to create alternative opportunities for entering the Internet, the director general said. Limbourg added that Iran would only thrive if people were allowed to speak out without fear of state repression.
“Young people especially depend on the Internet and social media as instruments for social dialogue and individual formation of opinion,” Limbourg said. (Source: DW press release)
23 February 2016
TIMA Film has been granted exclusive “access all areas” to produce and distribute highlights from this year’s BRIT Awards, one of the biggest and most prestigious events in the global music calendar. TIMA Film, launched in January of this year, is the new global production arm of international content and service provider, TIMA.
The BRIT Awards with MasterCard will be hosted by presenting duo, Ant & Dec, at London’s O2 Arena on 24 February 2016. TIMA Film will cover red carpet arrivals, the winners’ press conference and they will also have exclusive access to backstage interviews. TIMA Film will distribute easy-to-edit video packages of the event to global broadcasters, news organisations and online publishers. Alongside UK broadcasters ITV (TV), BBC Radio 1), The Bauer Network (Radio and TV) Capital FM (radio) and Somethin’ Else (BRITs digital), the BRIT Awards will be broadcast by 20 international channels, covering over 100 territories around the world.
The BRIT Awards have celebrated the success of UK and overseas music since 1977 and are watched by an average of six million people annually. This year, the 36th awards will be attended by some of the world’s most outstanding musical talent: from Adele to Rihanna; Coldplay to Little Mix.
Daniele Rispoli, Media Project Manager, TIMA Film said: “The BRIT Awards are vital to the UK and international music industry and it’s a real honour for TIMA Film to be granted this fantastic opportunity to bring them closer to international audiences. Not only do we hope to capture the spontaneous emotions and reactions of the artists, but also to highlight some behind-the-scenes moments that convey the sheer glamour and excitement of the event.”
TIMA Film, set up by CEO, Alla Salehian, launched in January this year with a 10-part series for CNBC called Sustainable Energy presented by James Wright. TIMA Film produces compelling content across all programme genres for UK and international broadcasters and online publishers, ranging from one-off features and documentary series to short films. TIMA Films is also set up to create and distribute video content for PR companies worldwide. With access to facilities and studios of parent company, TIMA, in more than a dozen cities, the team prides itself on its ability to bring broadcasters insider knowledge and local insights alongside seamless production values.
The BRIT Awards 2016 with MasterCard will be broadcast live on ITV1 at 20:00 GMT on 24 February 2016.
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)
