The Weekly News Update is a weekly roundup of business news from around the Asia-Pacific region, covering Fusion Consulting's core industry practices: chemicals, consumer & retail, financial services, industrial & logistics, information & communication technology, life science and media & leisure. If you have colleagues or friends who may be interested in subscribing, please forward this email to them and copy knowledge@fusionc.com.     2008 Asia-Pacific pay-TV operators survey, 4th edition   Programmers, find out what the major cable, satellite and IPTV platforms in Asia  and Australia think about your channels and support, their programming plans and  their hopes and fears for the future of the industry. This survey targets  programming managers at 50 major carriers in 16 countries across the region,  focusing on the largest players in each country. In cooperation with ContentAsia.  Request more information. Media & leisure

China - Gaming firms diversity in China Source: TelecomAsia, February 2008 The online gaming industry in China is poised for more growth, after generating US$970 million in revenues in 2006 on the back of more than 36 million players. KPMG expects the market to grow to US$1.35 billion in 2007 as more individual dabble in online gaming - whether massive multiplayer, casual or platform games. China-made online games accounted for 65% of the domestic market in 2006 and generated US$20 million in export revenues. While 290 mobile games were developed in 2006, 250 of the titles were developed by just 5% of the companies. China - Tongfang invests in SMG's two IPTV subsidiaries Source: China Telecom Newswire, 29 February 2008 Shanghai-listed hi-tech company Tongfang plans to invest RMB150 million (US$21 million) in Shanghai Media Group's two IPTV (Internet protocol television) subsidiaries. Tongfang will invest RMB4.8 million (US$675,500 million) in Shanghai BesTV Media for a 40% stake. It will also spend RMB145.2 million (US$20.4 million) to acquire a 40% stake in BesTV Network Television Technology Development. As of the end of 2007, BesTV Network had 640,000 IPTV subscribers, which accounted for 57% of China's IPTV subscriber base. According to a forecast by Analysys International, China's IPTV subscriber number will top 20 million in 2011. Singapore - Dedicated Indian and kids TV channels Source: Today (Singapore), 1 March 2008 There will soon be television channels dedicated to the Indian community and to kids. "Vasantham", which means "Spring" in Tamil, is targeted for launch in the fourth quarter of 2008. Apart from news and current affairs, the channel will offer the growing Indian community wholesome family-based entertainment programmes, locally produced serials, reality-based and talk shows. Once the current Tamil programmes currently shown on Central migrate to Vasantham, Central will be repositioned as an English channel targeting pre-schoolers and their caregivers in the morning; primary school children in the afternoon and teenagers and young adults in the evening. With these new channels, MediaCorp will be one of Asia's largest media companies by way of free-to-air broadcast offerings. View an example of our experience in this industry. Back to list of articles.  Visit our website to sign up for free intelligence on Asian markets.

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