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   Find out what the major cable, satellite and IPTV platforms in Asia and Australia  think about all the major pay-TV channels, their programming plans and their  hopes and fears for the future of the industry. This survey questioned  programming managers at major carriers in 16 countries across the region,  focusing on the largest players in each country and covering one third of the 120  million regional subscriber base. In cooperation with ContentAsia.  Request more information. Media & leisure

China - Baidu plans foray into online gaming sector Source: China Knowledge Press, 24 April 2008 Baidu.com Inc., China's No. 1 Internet search engine provider, announced its expansion plan into the online gaming sector in China in a bid to further diversify its businesses. Baidu launched its game site by cooperating with five game operators, including Shanda Entertainment, Beijing-based developer Huancheng Interactive, Beijing Xin Yu Brothers Internet Technology. China has become a huge online game market with its revenue hitting RMB12.8 billion (US$1.8 billion) in 2007. It is also estimated that the market revenue will climb to RMB40.1 billion (US$5.7 billion) in four years, according to Analysys International. Asia - Pay TV to reach US$86 billion in 2012 Source: Variety, 24 April 2008 Pay TV is set to grow by 11% a year in Asia over the next five years, lifting total revenues from US$53 billion in 2007 to US$86 billion by 2012. In 2007, regional pay TV penetration reached 43%. This could grow to 52% by 2012 and 55% by 2017, with digital penetration climbing from 7% in 2007 to 28% by 2012 and 36% by 2017. Biggest digital growth may come from China and India. Penetration levels will peak in Korea, Japan, Taiwan and developed markets, while China will lead emerging markets. In terms of size, China will remain the largest market for broadband in the region with close to 195 million broadband users by 2017. Taiwan - Game developers aim to tap overseas markets in 2008 Source: Taiwan Economic News, 28 April 2008 Taiwan's major game developing companies, including International Games System Co., Ltd. (IGS), Gamania Digital Entertainment Co. and Soft-World International Corporation, have moved to explore overseas markets by signing agent contracts with foreign game companies. IGS shipped between 50,000 and 60,000 units of commercial gaming machines to Italy and now is scheduled to resume shipment of the products to the country this year. Soft-World International has tapped the China's game market by working with Chinesegamer International Corp. Gamania has signed several agent contracts with Japanese game developing companies for the first time this year, in hopes of reaping considerable profits in the Japanese market. 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.

This Weekly News Update is a free newsletter, providing a round-up of the week's Asia-Pacific news from our core industry practices. If you have colleagues or friends who may be interested in subscribing, please forward this email to them and copy knowledge@fusionc.com.

Fusion Consulting is a business intelligence consultancy providing clear strategic advice on Asia-Pacific markets. With offices in Shanghai, Singapore and Hong Kong and 400 industry consultants in 16 countries, we conduct custom research and consulting to help companies understand their markets, compete more effectively and grow into new areas of opportunity. Email more@fusionc.com or visit www.fusionc.com for more information.