News Corp wins some and loses some in Asia's direct-broadcast race.(Brief Article)

Television Asia, January, 2001

The Korea Telecom (KT)-run Korea Digital Broadcasting (KDB) consortium has been awarded a satellite broadcasting business license, beating out a rival platform supported by News Corp. The decision was announced in Seoul at the end of December 2000 following recommendations by the Korea Broadcasting Commission.

Digital direct-to-home (DTH) services will launch with more than 70 channels. By 2005, this could increase to 114 channels. According to local reports, the consortium has promised to invest US$2 billion over five years, and expects a net profit in year five. KT owns 18 percent of the consortium. The other shareholders are KBS (10 per cent), MBC (7 per cent) and SBS (3.2 per cent), plus other smaller shareholders. The license gives KDB...

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