More channels and greater interactivity coming your way
Singapore, 25 November 2004 - StarHub revolutionised TV viewing in Singapore with the launch of Digital Cable on its cable TV platform on 29 May 2004. Today, the innovative info-communications company is taking another leap forward, by offering even more quality channels and greater interactivity on StarHub CableTV’s Digital Cable service.
With the addition of eight new international channels and one games channel to its digital offering, the number of channels carried on StarHub CableTV’s digital platform has increased to an impressive 74 (including eight free-to-air channels). The 66 cable channels cover a wide range of genres such as news, entertainment, infotainment, education, movies, dramas, music, sports, anime, children’s programming and games.
"When StarHub launched our Digital Cable service six months ago, we added a whopping 11 new channels. In August and November, STAR PLUS and CCTV-9 were launched respectively. Today, we are adding another nine new channels to our impressive line-up, bringing the total number of new StarHub CableTV channels to 22 since the launch of Digital Cable. This is possible because of the increased capacity of our digital platform, and we are very excited that we are now able to offer more viewing and interactive choices to further delight our customers," said Ms Sandie Lee, Senior Vice President, Cable TV Services, StarHub.
The nine new channels comprise eight new international channels and one gaming channel. The international channels cater to a broad range of viewers’ interests across entertainment and sports. They are Animax, Sony Entertainment Television, The Filipino Channel, ETTV Asia, XING KONG, Phoenix InfoNews, Goal TV 1 and Goal TV 2.
A La Carte Entertainment Channels
Animax, a 24-hour channel dedicated to highly popular Japanese animation, has reached over 16 million homes region wide since its launch in January 2004, making it one of the most successful TV channel launches in recent history. Backed by Sony Pictures Entertainment, Animax is targeted at viewers of all ages who enjoy animation, and broadcasts all time favourites as well as the latest animation TV series and movies, many never before seen outside of Japan. This new channel is aired in dual sound - English and Japanese, with Chinese subtitles for most programmes. Animax, on Channel 84, is available at only $4.20 monthly (inclusive of GST, excluding waiver for rental of digital set-up box).
Fans of Hindi programming will be thrilled to know that StarHub will launch Sony Entertainment Television (SET) on Channel 91. SET is a 24-hour Hindi language channel providing high quality family-based entertainment. Currently one of the top cable and satellite channels in India, SET provides the biggest and latest blockbusters from Bollywood, family dramas, talk shows, movie trivia as well as live/exclusive events such as Indian Telly Awards, IIFA, Indian Idol and Filmfare Awards. SET is the third Hindi channel on StarHub CableTV’s offering, after Zee TV and STAR PLUS, and is priced at $8.40 (including GST) monthly.
The latest addition to StarHub CableTV’s International group is The Filipino Channel (Channel 98). This new channel, offered on the digital tier at $15.75 (including GST) monthly, will provide the growing number of Filipino expatriates a means to keep in touch with the latest news and entertainment programmes from the Philippines. Originating from Manila, the channel is operated by the leading television network, the ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, and viewers can look forward to news, dramas, comedies, children’s shows, talk shows, magazine shows and blockbuster movies. The Filipino Channel joins StarHub CableTV’s other international channels - VOA-TV and Deutsche Welle on the digital tier, as well as TV5 and NHK on the analogue tier.
Chinese Digital Group
Today, StarHub launches a new digital group, priced at a low $8.40 (including GST) monthly similar to its counterparts, the Education Digital and Entertainment Digital groups. The Chinese Digital group includes three Chinese channels - ETTV Asia (Channel 104), XING KONG (Channel 105) and Phoenix InfoNews (Channel 106).
ETTV Asia is a general entertainment channel from Taiwan that features news, lifestyle, variety, drama and children’s programmes. Its main strength lies in its children’s programmes, and will appeal to parents in Singapore who are keen on improving their children’s command of the Chinese language.
Featuring 900 hours of original programming each year, XING KONG distinguishes itself with bold and innovative Mandarin entertainment programmes. The channel showcases a wide range of programmes including variety shows, game shows, drama series, movies, music and animation. It has become one of the most popular channels in Guangdong since its launch in 2002. In the same year, XING KONG was voted "Satellite Channel of the Year" in the China Television Programme Awards.
Phoenix InfoNews is the only Mandarin channel that provides round-the-clock news. Its focus is primarily on the China, Hong Kong and Taiwan markets. The channel provides news coverage that includes financial and stock markets, live breaking events and in-depth analysis of current affairs, and will hence be particularly helpful to Singaporeans who have business interests in China.
"There is now heightened interest in China and its rapidly rising economy, and it is more crucial than ever to have access to the news, culture and language of the country. StarHub is a one-stop platform for local viewers with business interests and dealings in China, or those who simply wish to understand the culture or gain a better grasp of the Chinese language. The English-speaking PMEBs are not forgotten either, with StarHub’s recent launch of CCTV-9, an English channel from China, about China," added Ms Lee.
Sports
Football fans will jump for joy at Football Favourites, a group made up of two new channels launched on StarHub CableTV’s digital tier. Football Favourites, which includes Goal TV 1 (Channel 107) and Goal TV 2 (Channel 108), is available to all subscribers of the Sports Group for a low monthly fee of $8.40 (including GST). Football Favourites aggregates the best football content onto a TV platform, focusing on the four most popular clubs in the English Premier League. Goal TV 1 showcases exclusive programming related to Manchester United and Arsenal, plus selected live/delayed coverage of the Scottish Premier League, while Goal TV 2 airs exclusive programming related to Liverpool and Chelsea, plus selected live/delayed coverage of the Dutch League and French League.
Games
In addition to the eight new channels, StarHub also announces the launch of Singapore’s first fully dedicated games channel - TubePlay. TubePlay is a 24-hour interactive games channel, with five easy-to-play games. At least one game will be refreshed every three months. The five TubePlay games will complement the four FunZone games (Rover, Battleship, Brain Trainer and Blocks), and housed together under Game Village. The TubePlay games channel is priced at $4.20 monthly (inclusive of GST, excluding waiver for rental of digital set-top box), while the FunZone games are available free-of-charge to all customers of StarHub CableTV’s Digital Cable service.
Digital Cable Enhancements
In addition to launching new channels, StarHub CableTV has also enhanced some of its existing Digital Cable features. To facilitate easier user access, features such as Programme Alert, Auto-Tune, Parental Lock and Favourites are now grouped under TV Guide, the first item on the Menu page. StarHub has also made improvements to its Info Bar display and simplified steps for the Programme Alert feature.
The public can visit www.starhub.com/cabletv for more information.
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