| News Corp restructures business in Asia |
| Posted: September 2009 | ||||||
 HONG KONG – News Corporation has announced restructuring plans for its Asia broadcast unit, Star.
It plans to split Star into three units — Star India, Star Greater China and Fox International Channels (FIC). FIC will combine the English-language channels previously managed by Star with the Fox and National Geographic brands for distribution in the rest of Asia. The new structure plans to support the continued growth of each unit by moving resources closer to viewers — thus increasing scale and flexibility for advertisers and affiliates, and improving operational efficiency. The deployment of resources into local markets will result in a reduction in the size of its regional operations in Hong Kong. James Murdoch, News Corporation’s chairman and chief executive, Europe and Asia, said: “Since launching with only five channels in 1991, Star has grown in scale and made a valuable contribution to broadcasting in Asia. We are now reshaping a big, regional organisation into three highly focused business units, each of which will be intensely competitive in its target marketplace. While it was once natural to have a larger, regional headquarters, the company has now reached a scale in its key local markets where we are ready to empower the teams on the ground and move a number of functions to be closer to viewers.” The restructuring will see the departure of Paul Aiello, CEO of Star, who will stay until the end of December this year to ensure a smooth transition. Murdoch expressed regret at Aiello’s impending departure and acknowledged Aiello’s contribution in building the local teams and driving Star’s growth, particularly in India. Following the restructuring, Star India will manage sales and distribution of News Corporation channels in India — a total of 19 channels in eight languages. In addition, Star India will manage News Corporation’s interests in seven ventures including: DTH operator Tata Sky; cable system Hathway; channel distributor Star Den; news-channel operator MCCS; South Indian broadcast business of Asianet channels and Star Vijay; film producer and distributor Fox Star Studios India; and Star CJ Home Shopping. Star Greater China will oversee a cornucopia of Chinese-language channels, namely, Star Chinese Channel, Xing Kong, Star Chinese Movies, Star Chinese Movies 2 and Channel [V], the Fortune Star movie library and joint ventures Phoenix TV and Fox Star Studios Chinese film production. FIC will combine Star World, Star Movies and Channel [V] International with channels under the Fox and National Geographic Channel brands to create Asia’s largest international TV channel network, operating 37 channels under 17 channel brands. FIC will also be responsible for the regional distribution of Star India and Star Greater China channels outside their home markets in Asia, and continue to distribute its channels in the Middle East. News Corporation also announced the establishment of a News Corporation office in Hong Kong. The new office, comprising a small group of executives from the current Star team, will be responsible for supporting News Corporation’s interests in the region and managing joint ventures including ESPN Star Sports. It will carry out business development, legal, government affairs and corporate communications functions, with each function reporting directly to the corresponding functional heads in London. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites       
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