24.04.02
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
World purchases first foreign-owned broadcast
company in Japan and increases translation hours
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
World, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's 24-hour international news and information channel,
announced today the purchase of its broadcast company Satellite
News Corporation in Japan and an increase of its Japanese translation
service from 60.5 to almost 90 hours a week. This marks Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World's
most significant commitment to the Japanese market to date.
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
World has been a shareholder, together with ITX (formerly Nissho
Iwai), of the Satellite News Corporation (SNC) since 1994. SNC is
responsible for the marketing and distribution of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World throughout
Japan and in March 2002 it became the first company fully registered
and licensed to operate under the new Japanese Broadcast Utilization
Act. Today's announcement that Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World, under the umbrella of
its parent company, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide, has become the sole shareholder
of the company makes the channel the first foreign company registered
to broadcast in Japan.
Commenting
on the announcement, Patrick Cross, Managing Director, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World,
said: "This is by far the most significant commitment that
we have made to the Japanese market to date. We know from audience
research in the region that viewers value Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World and the unique
translation service we provide on breaking news so it is a great
opportunity to be first in the market with our own company as well."
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
World today also announces a considerable increase in its Japanese
translation service to nearly 90 hours a week. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World news in
Japanese is translated live and uses more than one voice, unlike
many other bilingual transmissions in Japan which are delayed by
several hours and use a single voice for all interventions. The
total number of translated hours comprises both live news and pre-recorded
Japanese versions of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World's current affairs, lifestyle and
documentary programming. Translation is carried out by a London-based
team of sixteen regular translators, backed by some fifteen others
working on a part-time basis and produced by a seven-strong production
team.
"This
is a great endorsement of the work we do here in the Japanese translation
unit. Everyone has worked very hard to provide an excellent service
on breaking news stories and programmes and given the pace of global
news events in the past year I think we have proved we can provide
the highest quality output which is now being reflected in the increased
hours," said Shigeru Tabata, Editor Japanese Translation Unit,
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World.
Also
commenting on the announcements Kaz Matsuda, Managing Director,
SNC said: "We are delighted that Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World now owns the company
and we look forward to a bright future together. This development
enables us to strengthen our presence in this vital world market
and means more and more television viewers will be able to find
out what is happening in the world in our own language."
Notes to Editors:
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World is the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's 24-hour international news and information
channel broadcast around the world to over 214 million households
(92 million 24-hour homes). The channel offers half-hourly news
reports every weekday, extended business coverage, sports' updates
and weather as well as the best of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's award-winning documentary,
lifestyle and current affairs programming.
The
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World Japanese Translation Unit is an enhanced service enabling
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World's Japanese viewers to enjoy the same programmes in their
own language. The service, based at London's Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Television Centre,
now offers translation into Japanese for up to 90 hours a week including
all peak-time viewing.
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
World has been a shareholder, together with ITX (formerly Nissho
Iwai), of the Satellite News Corporation since 1994. SNC is responsible
for the marketing and distribution of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World throughout Japan.
As of April 24th 2002, SNC is wholly-owned by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide and
will continue to provide the service for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World in Japan.
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