Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's Global Channels business will be launching its first subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ HD, to Taiwanese audiences with Chunghwa Telecom, the largest operator of broadband multimedia services in Taiwan, in April.Μύ
Μύ
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ HD SVOD viewers will be able to choose from 10 three-hour multiple genre blocks of programmes at any one time. The blocks will feature drama, comedy, documentary, natural history, music and arts programming.
Μύ
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ HD will be broadcast in English with Traditional Chinese subtitles and will offer for the first time, programme promos and navigational menus in Traditional Chinese.
Μύ
Commenting on the launch, Christine Leo-McKerrow, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Global Channels Asia-Pacific said: "The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ HD SVOD launch in Taiwan will be the first time the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ HD brand is available outside the UK and in advance of the 24hour linear channel launching later this year.Μύ
Μύ
"With plans to produce all of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's UK primetime content in HD by 2010, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ will be one of the world's largest producers of English language HD programming."
Μύ
Chao Min, director of Digital Content Development Department, Chunghwa Telecom said: "We are proud to be the first one in Taiwan, even in Asia, presenting Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ HD to viewers.Μύ
Μύ
"Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ HD SVOD is comprised of high-quality programmes of various genres. We believe our viewers will enjoy watching these HD programmes immensely."
Μύ
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ HD will showcase the critically acclaimed drama, Cranford, set in Victorian England and starring OscarΒ®-winner Judi Dench.
Μύ
Other highlights will include the sumptuous natural history series, Ganges, telling the story of the most extraordinary river in the world; Sensitive Skin, a brand new comedy set in London starring Joanna Lumley; Aida - Verdi's striking opera about the great pharaohs; and Earth:The Power of the Planet, a landmark series about the history of our planet, how it works, and what makes it so special.
Μύ
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ HD is the sixth channel brand in Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide's new Global Channels portfolio to launch.
Μύ
The other five channels are Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Entertainment, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Knowledge, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Lifestyle and CBeebies – together with the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's 24-hour international news channel, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ World – which are already available across Asia and EMEA territories
Μύ
Amy Castle-Young
Μύ