Bunch of video news developments coming out of Korea:
-- Telcos interested in buying content providers: That is not new in Korea, but a good trend story...Hanarotelecom, which launched its online TV portal HanaTV recently, has attracted over 30,000 subscribers in just 20 days after launch (which analysts there say is a big number), so it is now thinking of making some acquisitions on the content side..the story says the company is set to buy one or two big content providers, and that the deals have almost been finalized. Bigger rival KT Corp. recently bought Eznetsoft to strengthen its user-created content service. Korea’s largest wireless operator SK Telecom Co. will likely purchase a 30 percent share in Chungeorahm Film, producer and distributor of the smash box-office hit “The Host”, the story says.
-- Hanaro, Cable Cos May Head for Court Over TV Portal: Speaking of Hanaro, Korean Cable TV Association has suggested to its local ministry that Hanaro is illegally engaged in the broadcasting business, while Hanaro argues that its TV portal services are not subject to the existing broadcasting law as asserted by the association. SO they may be heading to court on this.
-- KT To Launch Online TV Portal Next Year: KT Corp., South Korea’s largest fixed-line operator and largest wireless carrier by revenue, swill launch a new VOD TV portal service in the first quarter of next year.