HBO to show more movies, fight piracy

HBO to show more movies, fight piracy

BANGKOK: -- Despite rampant piracy and an uncertain economic outlook, HBO Asia yesterday expressed confidence in the market, in particular Thailand, and announced plans to bring another new channel to air as individual markets showed business potential.

Thailand, Taiwan and Malaysia were identified as the most significant sales areas for HBO Asia, with Hong Kong the fastest growing market.

The movie channel projected the number of paying subscribers across the region would increase by between 5% to 8% this year. James Marturano, HBO Asias executive vice president, said there were currently 28 million subscribers in 23 Asian nations.

He said Thailand was a big opportunity for HBO, even though the economy is slowing in the wake of high oil prices.

He believed people would continue to spend on home entertainment, especially pay-TV subscriptions, because it was a cheap form of entertainment. Consumers would be more likely to cut recreational spending elsewhere, such as eating out.

He said the firm has kept close ties in Thailand with the listed United Broadcasting Corporation Plc (UBC), the nation's biggest pay-television operator. He expects a new service launch, as well as a new crackdown on programme piracy.

HBO Asia has an ongoing effort against piracy, in cooperation with local authorities and the Motion Pictures Association (MPA), the group of major Hollywood studios. He refused to estimate the cost of piracy to HBO Asia, saying only that it was substantial.

Later this year, the 24-hour movie channel will be more dynamic, with more new movies _ 35 new new films per month on the Thailand service, as well as series from HBO in the US including Rome and the second season of Carnivale.

The firm also has a new channel called HBO Signature aimed to boost the subscriber base _ but not in Thailand. HBO Signature was launched earlier this year in Hong Kong and Indonesia. Mr Marturano said he had no plan to launch the channel in Thailand.

--Bangkok Post 2005-07-28