PETALING JAYA: Star Publications (M) Bhd is making its maiden venture into the television broadcast space by taking up a 51% stake in LI TV Holdings Ltd, which owns and operates Li, Life Inspired, a high-definition (HD) pan-regional lifestyle TV channel.

Star's partner in LI TV Holdings is Juita Viden International Ltd, a member of the Juita Viden Media Entertainment Group, which is the largest independent television programme distributor in Malaysia.

Juita Viden is also in TV and movie production. It has brought global franchises like Fear Factor and Deal or No Deal into Malaysia and is behind Nur Kasih, the highest rated TV drama in Malaysia.

Star will invest RM35mil for the 51% stake, while Juita Viden International will hold a 49% interest in LI TV Holdings, which is incorporated in Hong Kong. LI TV's HD lifestyle channel Li, Life Inspired is Asia's first HD lifestyle TV channel.

New revenue stream: Lee (left) and Foo signing the agreement as investment partners in LI TV.

It is shown over Astro's channel 706 and other Pay TV broadcasters in Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia and Taiwan. The channel started broadcasting in 2009.

“The investment in LI TV Holdings is part of our strategy of diversifying into media that we currently do not have within our portfolio of media assets,” said Star executive deputy chairman Datuk Vincent Lee.

“Star's venture into LI TV is a new touch point for us to widen our audience reach in Malaysia and across the region and opens up a new revenue stream,” he added

Said Juita Viden executive director Francis Foo: “We are happy to have Star as our partner. Our 33 years of experience and expertise in TV programming and Star's strength as a major media company with a strong print presence is an ideal partnership to make LI TV a success.”

According to a report by Media Partners Asia, the Pay TV industry in Asia will grow by 12% a year; HD TV adoption is expected to grow from 5 million households in 2009 to 23 million by 2013 in Asia-Pacific.

LI TV Holdings general manager Anne Chan said HD programming is preferred over standard definition when it comes to lifestyle programmes.

“Interest in lifestyle programmes will grow strongly in Asia in line with greater affluence among the people. HD programmes are the way forward and we are the first Asian- based lifestyle channel in HD so we have the first mover advantage,” said Chan. Li, Life Inspired features lifestyle inspirations across the five genres food, home, wellness, travel and style in one channel.

Going forward, LI TV Holdings is looking at getting into new markets like China, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam and Macau.

• Malaysia only selects quality FDIs, says Najib
• North Pole parachute expedition participant, ‘Rahim King’ dies
• Tony Fernades joins board of Star Publications
• Govt sues Ambiga and 9 others for alleged damages over Bersih rally
• ILO: 75 million youth will be jobless in 2012
• S’gor MB: Properties leased to illegal massage parlours may be seized
• Millions Youth Assembly to be among world’s 10 biggest carnivals
• DPMK: Government should exempt excellent students from repaying JPA, Mara loans
• Perak signs water restructuring deal with PAAB
• Selangor Sultan advises UPM students to stay out of street demos
• More than 12,500 PTPTN loans converted to scholarships
• Eight Pakistanis sue anti-drug agency, transport company for RM40mil
• Former Deputy Minister offers to be candidate in next GE
• Evidence in Foray murder case damaged
• Roger Tan replies to Loyarburok

• Regulators, investors turn up heat over Facebook IPO
• Chelsea Flower Show blooms defy drought and gloom
• US Air jet diverts after passenger claims to have "device"
• Romney begins to stir in fight for US Hispanic votes
• Saudi prince sues Los Angeles to hasten mansion plans
• Survey: More top executives willing to pay bribes
• Scientists turn skin cells into beating heart muscle
• Gupta jury hears competing views of Rajaratnam ties
• Mountain lion wanders into California city center, is killed

• Thomas Cup: Malaysia falls to China
• Bulgarian sprinter Eftimova banned for two years
• Aussies cry foul over 'dawn' starts in hockey
• NBA: James and Wade on fire as Heat crush Pacers
• Tennis: Clijsters to retire again after US Open
• Chong Wei out for three to four weeks after ankle injury
• Malaysia face top seeds China in the quarters
• Yongbo gets away with defiant act again
• Kim Her defends his decision to tinker with doubles pairs
• Daren does okay
• Danish scratch pair perform like veterans to deliver winner
• Shahidatun sets record but fails to surpass personal best
• Champs Sarawak lead standings with six golds on opening day
• Bolt gets bold in Ostrava
• Seven juniors drafted into Beng Hai’s squad for Azlan Shah Cup

• Petronas seeks 10-12 partners for RAPID project
• S’pore is Asia’s top convention city for 10th straight year
• Malaysia's GDP grows at slower pace of 4.7% in Q1
• MPHB suspended for material announcement
• TSH Resources' plantation capex at RM1bil over next 5 yrs
• Bursa Malaysia Derivatives launches revamped options contract
• AirAsia Q1 earnings slightly higher at RM172.4m
• April inflation rate up 1.9% on-yr as food, non-food costs rise
• RM9bil fund raising to enable MAS to continue uninterrupted
• M’sia eyes 50 foreign companies to list here

Site Map FAQ Privacy Statement Terms Of Use Write To Us Advertise With Us Investor Relations Careers RSS

Copyright © 1995-2012 Star Publications (M) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)