Monday, March 22, 2010

TM inks pacts with 20 IPTV content providers

Telekom Malaysia Bhd has signed agreements with 20 content partners to provide a diverse mix of programming and content for its soon-to-be launched, Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service.

TM Executive Vice-President of Consumer Jeremy Kung said the IPTV service is part of the company's triple-play offering, that serves as a value-added service for its High Speed Broadband (HSBB) customers.

"TM's IPTV service is Internet Protocol (IP)-based, where the content is delivered digitally through a high speed internet connection," Kung told reporters after a signing agreement with the 20 content providers, here today.

Among them are Arkib Negara, Bernama TV, BBC Worldwide, Star TV Group, Channel News Asia, Deutsche Welle, Travel Channel International and El-Kahfi Sdn Bhd.


The service is similar to cable TV but utilises a broadband connection instead of cable, for delivery of video services.

According to Kung, TM has at present signed on with more than 30 content providers, locally and internationally.

He said local broadcast channels that can be viewed via the service are RTM 1, RTM 2,Bernama TV, TV3, NTV7, 8TV, TV9 and Hikmah, while for international, it is BBC Knowledge, BBC Lifestyle, CBeebies, Channel News Asia, DWTV Asia +, Travel Channel International, Star Chinese Movies 2, Star Chinese Channel, Channel [V] Taiwan, Euronews, FTV HD and LUXE.TV.

TM is also partnering with Hit Entertainment and major Hollywood studios like CBS, Disney-ABC International Television and Sony Pictures Television to bring IPTV viewers, the latest movies and TV series through video-on-demand (VOD).

In addition, he said TM will introduce exclusive interactive channels like Malaysian history, Malaysian football, tourism and games.

Kung said the IPTV service is available to all its HSBB and HSBC subscribers, who get to enjoy a trial period for IPTV channels and VOD, without any additional cost till June 2010.

Initially, the IPTV service will be offered within four HSBB coverage areas, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam and Bangsar and expanded to other areas soon.

In order to enjoy the service, users require a set-top box with a HSBB connection, to experience crystal clear high-definition TV programmes and also subscribe to the VOD for movies and TV series.

The shares of TM rose the most in a month in Kuala Lumpur trading after signing the agreements.

The stock rose 1.9 per cent to RM3.29 at 4:40 pm local time, set for its biggest gain since Feb. 22. -- Bernama, Bloomberg

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