FetchTV launches TVB Cantonese Pack

Sydney, 9 March, 2012: Australian Cantonese speakers now have easy access to the most popular Cantonese channels, with the launch of the TVB Cantonese pack, now available on fetchtv.

The TVB Cantonese package on fetchtv offers a compelling entertainment option for the over 244,000 Cantonese speakers in Australia – one of largest communities in Australia.

Fetchtv is a new breed of entertainment service that combines the very best of Free-to-Air and subscription content, a video store in the home, and a best in class PVR, all for less than $20 per month. Viewers are able to pause, rewind and record live TV and access a whole host of additional programs and on-demand movies, available simply and easily.

The Cantonese pack is available for $49.95 per month, on top of a basic subscription.

The five channels available through the new TVB Cantonese language package include:

• TVB Jade (TVBJ) – the latest Hong Kong drama series and extensive news and information about mainland China and Hong Kong. The channel also allows access to Australian shows such as Australian News, Public Forum, Today Tonight, Finance Café and Smart Guide.
• TVB Junior – tailored for young viewers and their parents, bringing them Cantonese language learning programs, general knowledge, cartoon, and dramas series.
• TVB Xing He – the world's first Chinese TV drama channel showing TVB's famous and high viewer-rating classic drama series. The channel will allow TV drama fans a new visual-audio experience while reviewing the classics.
• TVB Lifestyle – lifestyle shows hosted by celebrities and professionals, bringing viewers up-to-date and practical information on health, travel, food and fashion trends in China and abroad.
• TVBN – news and current affairs from Hong Kong and around the globe 24 hours a day.

Scott Lorson, CEO, FetchTV said: "The TVB Cantonese pack offers the very best of programming for Australia's large Cantonese speaking population. The TVB channels are extremely popular in Australia, but this is the first time they have been available without a satellite, making it an ideal choice for customers living in multi-dwelling units, or for those customers looking to combine the very best of Cantonese and English programming."

Patrick Wong of TVB said: "TVB is pleased to partner with FetchTV in making our Cantonese channels available to those Australian households who are not currently able to access them. Together, TVB & FetchTV will now be able to connect even more Australian Cantonese speakers with home."

Because FetchTV is delivered over broadband, a satellite dish is not required to receive the packages. This means that the new service can be accessed by members of the community living in apartment buildings and rented accommodation. Programming is also unmetered, meaning it doesn't count towards internet downloading quotas.

The FetchTV service includes: a 1 terabyte personal video recorder to pause, rewind and record live TV, access to a huge line up of on-demand new-release movies, and a wide range of additional content that varies by service provider.

FetchTV is available via the following internet providers: Optus, Internode, iiNet, Adam Internet, Westnet, Netspace and MyTelecom. The Cantonese channel package is live on all ISP services, except Optus which will commence later this month.

About FetchTV

FetchTV is an Australian founded and owned business, with backing from the Malaysian based ASTRO ALL ASIA NETWORKS subscription TV group.

FetchTV is a wholesale subscription TV provider to leading Australian ISPs. The fetchtv service is unique in that it provides access to digital free-to-air channels, subscription channels, video on-demand and interactive content via an unmetered broadband connection. Content is delivered to the TV in SD and HD quality, instantly with no downloading delays.

FetchTV Australia is not affiliated with Fetch TV UK of the same name. The technology deployed and business model are substantively different.

About TVB

Television Broadcasts Limited, commonly known as TVB, is the first wireless commercial television station in Hong Kong. It was first established on 19 November 1967. The major activities of TVB are television broadcasting, programme production and other broadcasting related activities such as programme licensing, video distribution and satellite broadcasting etc. It transmits over 17,000 hours of programming on its Chinese Jade channel and English Pearl channel free of charge to 2.31 million homes in Hong Kong. It is one of the largest producers of Chinese language programming in the world.

Many of the Chinese programmes are dubbed into other languages and are distributed to more than 40 countries, accessible to over 300 million households. TVB has been awarded as one of Asia's 50 most competitive companies; one of the top 20 companies in Hong Kong and one of the Asia's 200 Leading Companies. TVB has been serving the audience for 43 years. It will continue to keep its promise, delivering excellence in programming and cutting-edge broadcasting technology to the people of Hong Kong and to Chinese communities around the world.