Star Television Television Network

Star TV, Hong Kong's Wharf Cable Sever Agreement: Asian satellite broadcaster Star TV has ended its agreement with Hong Kong-based Wharf Cable for the latter to retransmit Star TV's programming. The decision is significant because it will probably make it more difficult for Star TV to launch a pay TV channel in Hong Kong, one of the most lucrative markets in Asia, because Wharf Cable is set to become the largest cable TV system in the world.

Star TV, the satellite channel owned by News Corp.'s Rupert Murdoch, has reportedly hammered out a joint-venture deal in China that will allow it to sell ads and collect subscriptions on a made-for-China pay TV channel. Star TV and a Chinese private-sector company would each hold 45% of the new venture, according to the Financial Times, and state-run China Central Television (CCTV) would own the remaining 10%.

Rupert Murdoch's Star TV, the media mogul's big gamble in pan-Asian satellite broadcasting, appears to be off to a promising start despite recent cutbacks, management turmoil and censorship problems in some countries. Last summer, Murdoch bought a 64% stake in Star TV for $545 million. The acquisition gave his global News Corp. an opening in the world's fastest-growing TV market, which encompasses more than 2.5 billion people.

Four Partners Join Music-Video Channel Venture: BMG International, EMI Music, Sony Pictures and Warner Music will join Star TV's pan-Asian music channel, called Channel V, as equity partners with a 50% stake. The rest will remain owned by Star, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. Channel V, which was launched last May, provides music videos and youth programming to Asia, India and the Middle East.

Rupert Murdoch, in a giant leap toward becoming a global broadcaster, said Monday that his News Corp. will acquire a 63.6% stake in Star TV, the fast-growing Hong Kong-based satellite television service that spans Asia, for $525 million. The announcement marks a stunning turnaround for the global media baron, who only two years ago teetered near bankruptcy. Now, with Star TV in his communications empire, Murdoch will be the only broadcaster in the world with TV networks on three continents.

Star TV, the satellite channel owned by News Corp.'s Rupert Murdoch, has reportedly hammered out a joint-venture deal in China that will allow it to sell ads and collect subscriptions on a made-for-China pay TV channel. Star TV and a Chinese private-sector company would each hold 45% of the new venture, according to the Financial Times, and state-run China Central Television (CCTV) would own the remaining 10%.

Rupert Murdoch is learning the politics of global TV the hard way. Weeks after acquiring control of Star TV, the linchpin of his worldwide television empire, Murdoch managed to offend some of his most important viewers--Asian political leaders--when he declared satellite TV to be an "unambiguous threat to totalitarian regimes everywhere." The remarks, part of a speech made in London and beamed live to a Hong Kong breakfast given by Star TV, startled the Chinese in the audience.

Guns N' Roses are rocking on MTV, but 26-year-old Richard Li Tzar-kai Li doesn't notice. "Lou Grant," the BBC news, a Mandarin-language soap opera and a tennis tournament are playing on the four other TV screens in his office, but Li ignores them, too--he's busy snapping orders at one of his executives. Li's Star TV is the hottest thing in global television, a pan-regional network that's beating out potential rivals and astonishing advertisers.

Rupert Murdoch is learning the politics of global TV the hard way. Weeks after acquiring control of Star TV, the linchpin of his worldwide television empire, Murdoch managed to offend some of his most important viewers--Asian political leaders--when he declared satellite TV to be an "unambiguous threat to totalitarian regimes everywhere." The remarks, part of a speech made in London and beamed live to a Hong Kong breakfast given by Star TV, startled the Chinese in the audience.

Rupert Murdoch's Star TV, the media mogul's big gamble in pan-Asian satellite broadcasting, appears to be off to a promising start despite recent cutbacks, management turmoil and censorship problems in some countries. Last summer, Murdoch bought a 64% stake in Star TV for $545 million. The acquisition gave his global News Corp. an opening in the world's fastest-growing TV market, which encompasses more than 2.5 billion people.

Guns N' Roses are rocking on MTV, but 26-year-old Richard Li Tzar-kai Li doesn't notice. "Lou Grant," the BBC news, a Mandarin-language soap opera and a tennis tournament are playing on the four other TV screens in his office, but Li ignores them, too--he's busy snapping orders at one of his executives. Li's Star TV is the hottest thing in global television, a pan-regional network that's beating out potential rivals and astonishing advertisers.

Rupert Murdoch, in a giant leap toward becoming a global broadcaster, said Monday that his News Corp. will acquire a 63.6% stake in Star TV, the fast-growing Hong Kong-based satellite television service that spans Asia, for $525 million. The announcement marks a stunning turnaround for the global media baron, who only two years ago teetered near bankruptcy. Now, with Star TV in his communications empire, Murdoch will be the only broadcaster in the world with TV networks on three continents.