Overall Introduction of Phoenix TelevisionCorporationPhoenix Television (鳳凰衛星電視) SEHK: 8002 is a Hong Kong-based Mandarin Chinese television broadcaster that aims to promote a free flow of information and entertainment within the Greater China region. It has 5 different television channels. Phoenix Television is well-known of providing Infotainment programmes with popular 'Star' Anchors and talk show hosts. Being on good terms with the People's Republic of China government, it is one of the few non-government related television broadcasters available to mainland Chinese audience and has been able to broadcast information about events not covered by the government media, such as the coverage on the Against Basic Law Article 23 Rally on 1 July 2003.ChannelsPhoenix TV currently operates 3 domestic channels and 2 international services:Phoenix Chinese Channel, launched on 31st March 1996, one of the long-term foreign broadcasters in ChinaPhoenix Movie Channel, launched on 28th August 1998. It is now in its 5th year of operation as an encrypted pay-television service in China and worldwide.Phoenix InfoNews Channel, launched on 1st January 2001, a twenty-four-hour news channel.Phoenix North America Chinese Channel, launched on 1st January 2001, which now broadcasts on both EchoStar and DirectTV satellite systems and shares the same programming with Phoenix Chinese News and Entertainment Channel.Phoenix Chinese News and Entertainment (CNE) Channel, also launched in August 1999, which is now a 24 hour channel based in London and broadcasting via satellite Eurobird D6 across Europe.Phoenix Chinese ChannelPhoenix Chinese Channel was launched on 31 March 1996. It is an un-encrypted television channel broadcasting 24 hours daily in Mandarin Chinese. Using the Asia Sat 3S, Phoenix Chinese Channel broadcasts into the PRC, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, North Africa and Russia.The main target audiences of Phoenix Chinese Channel are urban residents, higher income earners and educated sectors of mainland Chinese society. According to surveys conducted by China Mainland Marketing Research Company in 1999, which were commissioned by Phoenix, the channel has a coverage of 42 million households in the PRC, over 147 million viewers and is one of the foreign television channels that enjoys the highest ratings in the PRC. Also, according to the October 1999 Galluh Research report in China, 36% of the respondents knew about Phoenix Satellite TV, which means that Phoenix has achieved the same level of brand awareness as McDonald's and General Motors.Phoenix Chinese Channel programmes cover a variety of productions from China and abroad, including news, information, sports, music, drama and films. In addition, the channel has a number of well known locally-produced programmes such as Good Morning China, Phoenix Afternoon Express, A Date With Lu-Yu, Phoenix Tonight, Passion On China, Stories With Anthony Yuen, The Asian Journal and Newsline. The channel's current major production the Pole-to-Pole Expedition, consists of reports by a Phoenix production team which travelled along the length of the American landmass from the South to the North Poles.Phoenix Chinese Channel programmes reflect the cultural diversity among Chinese. Innovative ideas, diversified formats and novel contents create a new visual experience for viewers.Phoenix Movie ChannelThe launch of Phoenix Movies Channel on 28 August 1998 marked another milestone for Phoenix. Committed to providing non-stop family movie entertainment, the channelutilizes the digital technology of the AsiaSat 3S satellite, providing encryptedpay-television services to the audience in the PRC.Phoenix Movies Channel showcases Hollywood blockbusters, Chinese top hits as well as international award winning titles. Over 280 movie titles are shown each month, of which 80% are Asian productions from libraries including Golden Harvest, Golden Princess and Media Asia featuring renowned directors like Wong Kar-wai, Tsui Hark, as well as top artists such as Jackie Chan, Chow Yun-fat, Tony Leung, Maggie Chow, Michelle Yeo, Andy Lau, Stephen Chow, and Leon Lai.The remaining 20% of the programming comprises Hollywood and international blockbusters starring celebrities including Oscar winner Tom Hanks, comic tycoon Robin Williams, British heart-throb, Hugh Grant, and pretty woman, Julia Roberts. To preserve the originality of the movies, all films are shown in original soundtracks with Chinese subtitles.From romantic tales that warm your heart to action packed movies that set your pulse racing, from comedies that generate hearty laughter to dramatic films that sooth your soul, Phoenix Movies Channel caters for most entertainment needs. To complete the movie scene, there are also daily updates on the hottest "Hollywood News" and the weekly "US Top 10" and "Stars In Charge". Together with well-acclaimed movie events like the Academy Awards Ceremony and the Hong Kong Film Awards show, Phoenix Movies Channel has all the fun you could imagine.Phoenix Movies Channel is available in Mainland China and soon to other Asian countries.Phoenix Infonews channelThe channel is the only broadcaster televising the weekly briefing of the P.R.C.'s State Council - which provides useful insights into Chinese policy priorities.As a Hong Kong-based channel, the Phoenix InfoNews Channel provides a blend of information and general/financial news to Chinese viewers from an angle which is global in both content, perspective and values.Phoenix InfoNews Channel's strategy is to establish itself in the minds of Chinese audiences across the region as a unique source of news with a pan-Asian and global focus. More distantly, it aspires to provide the basis of an Asian-based news and information channel providing a unique perspective on world events that will constitute a Chinese version of the major US-based networks.Phoenix InfoNews Channel partners with distinguished news services, including Reuters, Bridge Information Systems, FOX, Sky and Associated Press.Phoenix InfoNews Channel is available in the following markets: Hong Kong, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Mainland China and Singapore.Phoenix North America Chinese ChannelPhoenix North America Chinese features high quality programming that caters to Chinese communities in North America yearning to stay in touch with what's happening back home. Content on the channel includes drama series, music, talk shows, current affairs, sports, lifestyle shows, infotainment and locally produced programmes. The channel features programmes from Zhejiang, Sichuan, Jiangsu, Guangdong and other regional Chinese television stations, in addition to drama series from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Singapore.Quality Phoenix productions on the channel include Good Morning China, The Asian Journal, Newsline, Taipei Tonight Live, Passion on China, Behind the Headlines with Wen Tao, Starface, A Date with Luyu, Phoenix Tonight and China Town. The locally-produced North America News, from Monday to Friday, reports worldwide news and current affairs, and explores issues of interest to Chinese communities in the U.S.Phoenix North America Chinese Channel is subscription-driven and available on DIRECTV and Echostar, the two largest direct broadcasting satellite platforms with mor e than 17 million U.S. subscribers.Phoenix Chinese News and Entertainment (CNE) ChannelPhoenix CNE Channel features high quality programming that caters to Chinese communities in Europe yearning to stay in touch with what's happening back home. Content on the channel includes drama series, music, talk shows, current affairs and finance programs, lifestyle shows, infotainment and locally produced programmes. The channel features programmes from Zhejiang, Sichuan, Jiangsu, Guangdong and other regional Chinese television stations, in addition to drama series from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Singapore.Quality Phoenix productions on the channel include Good Morning China, The Asian Journal, Newsline, Taipei Tonight Live, Passion on China, Behind the Headlines with Wen Tao, Starface, A Date with Luyu, Phoenix Tonight and China Town. Highly reputed Chinese networks and television stations continue to be a source of quality content for the channel. Programming includes Beijing TV's Window On Beijing, and Shanghai TV's Shanghai Metropolis,; in addition to shows from Zhejiang, Sichuan, Jiangsu, Guangdong and other regional television stations. Drama series from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Singapore are featured, in addition to general entertainment, music programs and documentaries.Phoenix CNE Channel broadcasts via the Eurobird satellite and reaches forty-five European countries and regions. The channel is available on mainstream satellite television network Sky Digital and other cable networks in the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany and the Netherlands.HistoryPhoenix started Phoenix Chinese Channel on 31 March 1996. During these years, the development of satellite allowed them to expand their broadcast to 53 countries and regions with more than 20 million viewers worldwide, of which more than 62% are Chinese-speaking people. It covers over 42 million households with more than 150 million viewers in Mainland China.Phoenix Chinese Channel, Phoenix Movie Channel and Phoenix InfoNews Channel are broadcasting via cable in Hong Kong and via satellite to Taiwan, mainland China and other regions worldwide.The Phoenix InfoNews Channel was established in 1 Jan 2001. It was the first Chinese language channel that covered news among Greater China regions, including mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. There is 24-hour broadcasting on financial news, stock market information as well as news headlines worldwide. In addition, it provides comments and analysis prepared by analysts on current issues and topics.In order to strive for diversity, the Phoenix CNE channel, broadcasted in Europe, and Phoenix North America Channel, which is the first Chinese language channel that is available across North America, were established.ProgrammesPhoenix features a mix of programmes, ranging from political and economic news and current affairs through talk shows, film and music reviews to movies, and mini series in both Chinese and foreign origins.Since 1 September 2001, Phoenix Television has been broadcasting a range of United Nations television programme including 57 episodes of "UN in Action", 39 episodes of "World Chronicle", and also some awarded-winning documentaries. Phoenix is cooperating with the United Nations to produce more programmes.The service of Phoenix is extended to WAP, which facilitates news messages transferred through the mobile technology (SMS and MMS). The service is charged.The Associated Press reported that in April 2007, the website would start featuring a weekly program titled Tongxing Xianglian (Connecting Homosexuals), China's first show to focus on gay issues. The host is openly gay AIDS educator Didier Zheng.[1]CorporationOwnershipPhoenix Satellite Television holdings Ltd is a public limited company free shareholders are News Corporation (the parent company of the STAR TV) and Today's Asia Limited, owning 75% of Phoenix Television and public investors hold 16.4% of Phoenix shares outstanding.ManagementExecutive DirectorsMr. LIU ChangleMr. CHUI KeungMr. WANG Ji YanNon-executive DirectorsMr. LU XiangdongMr. GAO NianshuMr. Paul Francis AIELLOMr. LAU Yu Leung, JohnMr. GONG JianzhongIndependent Non-Executive DirectorsDr. LO Ka ShuiMr. LEUNG Hok LimMr. Thaddeus Thomas BECZAKLiu Chang Le (劉長樂), the CEO and founder of Phoenix TV said Phoenix TV is "developing a global outlook and independent of local political attachment". He is a former People's Liberation Army Colonel and is known to have produced government propaganda during the Cultural Revolution.Mr. LAU Yu Leung, John（劉禹亮）, appointed on 5 June 2000, holds the position of group chief financial officer of STAR. Mr. LAU oversees all financial operations of STAR. He is responsible for developing STAR’s financial strategies, spearheading financial planning and reporting, internal audit, treasury and taxation, while driving operating efficiency.Prior to joining STAR, Mr. LAU was the chief financial officer of San Miguel Brewing International Ltd, responsible for the company’s financial operations throughout Asia Pacific.Before this role, Mr. LAU also held senior financial positions at GE Information Services, Philip Morris Asia Inc. and Deloitte & Touche in Los Angeles, USA.Mr. LAU graduated from Brigham Young University in Utah in August 1988, with a Master’s degree in Acc ountancy and Information Systems and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He is a member of the California Institute of Certified Public Accountants.Specialities of Phoenix TelevisionsNews Anchor StarsPhoenix Chinese Television features many well-known news anchors, talk show hosts as their 'STAR PRESENTERS'. Most of them are degree holders in communications or language studies. Some of the top 'star presenters' areWu Xiaoli (吳小莉)Wu was mentioned by former prime minister Zhu Rongji in a press conference that he watched her broadcasted news everyday.Hu Yihu (胡一虎)Hu is the reporter and host who did interviewed the South African ex-President Nelson Mandela. He is also the reporter who has been "the most popular reporter in Taiwan" for 5 years.Chen Luyu (陈鲁豫)Luyu hosts a popular talk show and likened as an "Oriental Oprah".Zeng Zimo (曾子墨)Dou Wentao (竇文濤,) born August 21 1967, in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province （河北省石家庄市）, is famous for his 20-min weekday talkshow （锵锵三人行）, with two guests which he manages.Xu Gehui (許戈輝)Luqiu Luwei (閭丘露薇)Lu is the first Chinese female reporter who went to Iraq in the Iraqi war.Lu's contributions on reporting Iraq wars and SARS are praised by PRC Chairman Hu Jin Tao.Liu Hairuo (劉海若)Liu was traumatically injured in a railway accident in the United Kingdom in 2002 and surprising survived after transferring to Beijing People's Hospital.The channel has broadcasted updates of her recovering progress.Li Ao (李敖)Li Ao is a prominent Taiwanese writer and political commentator.Close Relationship with MainlandPhoenix has good relationships with the PRC government. In January 2003, the Chinese State Administration of Radio, Films and Television (SARFT) (中國國家廣播電影電視總局) granted landing rights (落地權) to Phoenix InfoNews Channel, making it one of the few non-government related television broadcasters in mainland China able to broadcast information about events not covered by the government media, such as the coverage on the Against Basic Law Article 23 Rally on 1 July 2003.Hong Kong Television?Most mainland and Taiwan audiences view Phoenix Television as their only source of information related to Hong Kong although very few Hong Kong citizens watch Phoenix Television for the following reasons:The majority of Phoenix programmes are broadcast in Mandarin Chinese as opposed to Cantonese, the major spoken variant of Chinese used in Hong Kong.Many Phoenix programmes are designed for the interest of mainland and Taiwan audiences.Prospects of Phoenix TelevisionXinhuanet describes both the pros and cons of Phoenix Television:Phoenix Television is good at creating mood in the scenes to touch their audiences, especially when it airs a live programme.It is a little bit difficult for Phoenix Television to create perfect production in its programmes due to a lack of capital.According to the China Economic Review 2003, Phoenix TV has set up a joint venture with Guangdong Television Broadcasting Development Centre to sell advertising and programming to Chinese broadcasters. This could help in generating more income from advertisements and ease their capital needs.As stated in its 2003 annual report, Phoenix planned to:Further expand its market share in mainland China.Continue to focus on educated young executives in the mainland, aged below 40, with high income levels, as its target audiences.Start up a production center in Shenzhen to facilitate their operations in mainland China at lower costs.Develop its services through other mediums such as the internet, its weekly magazine (the Phoenix), and bookstores.。
