CNN‘s first web site to be produced and edited from Asia launched on Tuesday. CNN.com Asia features in-depth stories from across the Asia Pacific and top world news stories that impact on the region. Using the latest technology, the site will also feature multi-media elements to bring more news from the region to online users.

"This new Asian web site is an integral part of CNN‘s global strategy to offer consumers more regionally relevant news content on television and the web. Our Hong Kong production centre is pioneering the way for CNN‘s worldwide vision for a more integrated news service, capitalising on the potential of media convergence," said Chris Cramer, president CNN international networks.

An extra 30 international journalists are now employed to work out of CNN‘s integrated newsroom in Hong Kong, with the regional headquarters now consisting of a total of 85 television and web journalists.

The new site offers a comprehensive and focused service for Internet users in Asia and those wanting to know more about the region. CNN.com Asia includes five main sections: Australia/Pacific, Central Asia, South Asia, East Asia, South East Asia plus special sections on business, technology, weather and travel.

CNN.com Asia is the second English-language site developed by CNN.com specifically for the international market; the online news provider launched a European version in September 2000. CNN.com also operates eight local-language news sites and two local-language headline news services, including Japanese (CNN.co.jp), Chinese (CNN.com/Chinese) and Korean (CNN.com/Korean).

Delhi based software provider Digital Broadcasting, has joined hands with Delany Productions, a software production house in Las Vegas with plans to launch "World of Women" channel in India on June 18. The WOW channel aims to provide a variety of programmes targeting urban women having varying interests and ages.

Estimated to cost Rs 120 crore, Digital Broadcasting has 31 per cent stake in the project while Dealny Productions holds 20 per cent of the equity. In coming three years the channel plans to invest RS 60 crore in the first year and expects to break even in the next three years, the Indian Express reported on Monday.

Indian Express quoted Rajiv Mishra, managing director of Digital Broadcasting, as saying the 24-hour free-to-air channel would penetrate 46 million cable households within six month of its launch. Eighty per cent of the programmes would be produced in India while the rest will be sourced from the US.

The channel‘s target audience also includes NRI households and the bilingual channel will also be aired in United States and United Kingdom. The company has tied up with DirecTV in Europe and the UK-based BskyB as their DTH operators, informs Mishra. In the initial period, viewing in the US will be delayed by 24 hours.

Overseas communications carrier and sole uplinking service provider Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd is working on providing digital uplinking facilities to encrypted channels from Indian soil. As part of that the company has selected a range of Taridan Scopus Codico platforms which are to be installed in Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai. The service will initially be available from Chennai‘s Ambattur uplink site where playout rooms will be provided at a price. It will be extended to the two other cities as and when the facilities are upgraded. No rates have been decided for the Multiple Channel Per Carrier (MCPC) services.
Prior to this, in nine different cities, Scopus had installed digital SCPC (Single Channel Per Carrier) systems that improve signal reach and quality.

The current installation covers the three major metros and Scopus has installed a number of MCPC systems. VSNL is using a Conditional Access System provided by Irdeto. Scopus digital platforms also enable VSNL to provide IP data services over these networks.

"VSNL is a very large part of the changing media landscape in India and now that we are part of their overachieving team, I am convinced that our digital tools will propel them even further," says Arie Vered, Scopus Sales and Marketing Director. "VSNL‘s selection of Scopus advances our growing interests in Asia and is a major confirmation for Scopus‘ technology and reputation."

Scopus has teamed up with MCBS (India) for project implementation and technical support.