Media JV looks to future
By Qiu Quanlin (China Daily)
Updated: 2004-07-01 01:28

Domestic media companies have to improve their business strategies and increase their competitiveness if they want to survive against foreign influences, according to one insider.

The thought comes at a time when Hong Kong- based Sun Wah Media is committed to promoting innovative multimedia strategies on the Chinese mainland.

It announced a joint venture (JV) in early April with Canada's Rogers Media.

The JV, called SW Rogers Media, aims to distribute Rogers' media products throughout the Chinese mainland.

According to Douglas Hui, Sun Wah Media's president, the venture is expected to first focus on Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province, then look at other mainland areas.

All of Rogers' products will be subject to the receipt of all of the necessary government approvals, Hui said.

"China's media companies always conduct their business by focusing on advertising and distribution, but that it is not enough if they want to compete with overseas rivals," he said.

SW Rogers will focus on the media products themselves.

"The brand of media products counts for more in the media business world, so we are going to introduce the most renowned and popular products from Rogers to the Chinese mainland," Hui said.

Rogers is a national communications company in Canada with interests in cable television, broadband Internet access, radio, television broadcasting and more.

Sun Wah Media, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Sun Wah Group, has connections with a number of businesses, including multimedia communications outlets.

It has produced several television drama series, each with a production cost of approximately 30 million yuan (US$3.6 million). It also publishes magazines and turns out other media-related products.

Initially, SW Rogers will distribute a documentary called Mandarin Planet, which deals with the thoughts and feelings of Chinese people living abroad.

Projects on the horizon include developing its DVD mainland market, expanding its retail networks, increasing interaction between Chinese mainland television and radio channels, establishing a Chinese edition of a Canadian magazine and brining Rogers' shopping channel to China.

"At present, we are negotiating with two Guangzhou-based TV stations in a bid to distribute our programmes through their channels," Hui said.

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