CNN has reason to rejoice. PAX 2001, the research study conducted by Asia Market Intelligence, has given CNN numero uno status among international news channels in Asia for the fifth consecutive year. Viewing frequency for the news network has increased this year, with more viewers tuning in on a daily basis than in previous years, the study notes. The research results, released today, says CNN International reaches more business decision makers than all the other major international news channels combined. Quoting statistics, the study points out that the channel reaches 36 per cent of business decision makers in the week just ended, compared to 14 per cent watching BBC World and 13 per cent tuning into CNBC.

PAX 2001 is a syndicated cross-media survey, providing measurement of TV and print across major markets in Asia including Bangkok, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Seoul, Singapore and Taipei. The report notes that over a third of CNN viewers watch the network every day and 38 per cent of business decision makers watch the channel daily.

Says an understandably delighted Turner International‘s Asia Pacific senior VP Nick Morgan: "By providing targeted research, PAX 2001 is a very useful tool for advertisers as it gives marketers detailed profile information on business decision makers and affluent viewers in Asia. This year‘s results reaffirm that CNN is the network of choice for these premier audiences, proving that our investment in delivering live breaking news and programming that is regionally relevant is a formula that works."

The channel airs 32 hours of regional programming produced and broadcast from its multi-media newsroom in Hong Kong including Talk Asia, Asia Business Morning, Asia Tonight and Biz Asia.

Cable network test and management solutions major Acterna today announced the introduction of the Acterna Digital Service Activation Meter (DSAM), offering the cable modem installer a comprehensive cable services and DOCSIS/EuroDOCSIS measurement package in a single meter.
The DSAM enables cable installers, regardless of skill and experience levels, to increase the speed and efficiency at which they deploy high-speed data services, a company release says.

Using exclusive digital signal processing and integrated DOCSIS/EuroDOCSIS chipset technology, the meter communicates with the network‘s cable modem termination system (CMTS) to exercise a cable modem installation from the subscriber‘s location. The Acterna DSAM uses the DOCSIS protocol and modulation formats to perform tests in-band and in-service, without the need for a separate test carrier.

The Acterna DSAM also provides a suite of analog and digital tests such as signal level, miniscan, upstream ingress spectrum view and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) quality parameters (MER/EVM and pre/post FEC BER). And with the one-button combo autotest feature, even a novice installer can perform all tests in the same way, in the shortest amount of time. The completely new enclosure weighs less than 1.4 kg, but is designed to take the rough handling and environmental elements expected from a field instrument.

"Acterna‘s new Digital Service Activation Meter provides cable operators with the tool they need to efficiently meet subscriber demand for high-speed data services," said Dave Holly, general manager, Cable Networks Division. "With the unique ‘autotest‘ function, the difficulties associated with successful installs are eliminated, helping cable operators increase deployment rates and assure market leadership."

This Sunday, 9 December, kids rule the roost on the Star Network. After all it is International Children?s Day of Broadcasting (ICDB).
Through a series of special programmes, children will express their fears, anxieties and uncertainties. Star‘s basic message is that every child has the right to education and children are necessary for the world to grow. Through this programming initiative, the network also wants to send the message across to adults that they are wrong to think that they know all that is best for the kids.

On Sunday Star News will have a special episode of Star Talk at 7:30 pm where information & broadcasting minister Sushma Swaraj will face some tough questions from children.

Network driver Star Plus will showcase the celebrated children‘s film Halo directed by Santosh Sivam (The Terrorist).

This will be followed by Chalti Ka Naam Antakshri. Anchored by Sachin & Shruti, the studio will be packed with children singing and dancing a tune of their own.

Star Gold has a delightful lineup of its own. At 12:30 pm Mammo will be shown. It stars Farida Jalal and Surekha Sikri. Then at 3 pm Bachpan with the late Sanjeev Kumar starring goes on air. This will be followed by Hip Hip Hurray. Directed by Prakash Jha it stars Raj Kiran and Deepti Naval. The film deals with the experience of going to school. The turmoil and adulation one receives is at the core of the story.

Finally the network‘s music channel Channel [V] will run five fillers throughout the day. These fillers will consist of pictures that kids have taken. Their progress will also be tracked by the Channel [V] team.