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AXN revs up to HD in Korea

Indiantelevision.com Team

(28 February 2009 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: SPE Networks - Asia (Spena) is marking the 12th year of AXN with the upgrade of the AXN Korea feed to high definition (HD) starting from 1 March 2009.

AXN has been in operation in Korea since 2005, having first launched on the SkyLife DTH platform in July 2005. It then debuted on Korea Telecom's (KT's) IPTV service, MegaTV, in November 2008 along with the official launch of IPTV services nationwide.

AXN Korea is the first among all channels and feeds at Spena to be migrated to HD. The brand new AXN HD channel in Korea will continue to be available via SkyLife which currently has upwards of 2.3 million subscribers, as part of its HD package; as well as on MegaTV, which has a subscriber base of 800,000 that includes VOD and linear service subscribers as of January 2009.

SPE Networks - Asia senior VP, GM Ricky Ow says, "Korea is a highly connected and tech-savvy market that is growing rapidly in HD take-up. AXN HD's timely launch will most definitely enhance the entertainment experience of Korean viewers, as they get to enjoy AXN's distinctive brand of action and adventure, high-impact and top-quality entertainment at the highest visual quality".

AXN HD will have a line-up of shows ranging from drama series like the CSI franchise, Numb3rs, and the upcoming drama Leverage starring Timothy Hutton, to reality productions like The Contender Asia. This is the Muay Thai version adapted from US boxing reality competition format, The Contender.