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SingTel launches new IPTV service

By Reuben Lee
Jul 21, 2007


SingTel and its mio TV content partners at the press event
(click for larger image)
Singapore-based service provider SingTel on Friday announced the launch of its mio TV service for the island-state. Powered by Microsoft's second-generation IPTV platform, the new service promises to offer consumers flexible access to their favorite local and overseas TV programs in both standard- and high-definition channels.

How many channels will mio TV have?
A total of 33 channels will be available for mio TV subscribers to choose from, of which 24 are regular broadcast channels. This includes seven free-to-air channels from Mediacorp--Channel 5, 8, U, ChannelNewsAsia, Suria, Central as well as the new HD5. There are also nine video-on-demand (VOD) channels.
Fans of High Definition can also look forward to four new HD channels, including one for sports, a made-by-Singapore channel called Sling HD, and one from VOOM, possibly the largest producer of HD content in the world.

SingTel claims several firsts in the local industry for its IPTV service. Two brand new channels, BBC Lifestyle and BBC Knowledge, will make their debut on mio TV. Hong Kong movie buffs among Singaporeans will also be able to enjoy the Mei Ah TV channel, the Republic's first Cantonese movie channel with Cantonese content that will show from noon to midnight. According to Microsoft, SingTel is also the first operator in Asia to commercially launch an IPTV service based on the Microsoft Mediaroom IPTV platform.

At the launch event, SingTel introduced several of its key content provider partners for mio TV. Among them, Sony Pictures has promised same-day movie content availability as its DVD release in stores. Some upcoming titles expected to be released in September include Spider-man 3 and Surf's Up. Mediacorp has also pledged to make available its TV series on mio TV even before the programs go on air.

SingTel is confident the content on its mio TV service can complement as well as compete with those from rival operator StarHub. The company expects many households to subscribe to the TV channel services from both companies, instead of just one.

 

 
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