The pay television is in a high growth of subscribers with nearly 100% per year. Therefore, Vietnam has been considered as the most potential television market in the Asia-Pacific region. Hence, race of pay-TV service has become fiercer.
AVG opens
pay-TV service in Binh Duong.Big pay-TV companies
Saigontourist Cable Television Company (SCTV) is the Vietnam’s first state business allowed by the PM to research, apply, design, invest and exploit two-way cable television network. Founded in 1992, SCTV is the joint venture company between Vietnam Television (VTV) and Saigontourist Company. SCTV has so far broadcasted over 70 Analog TV channels, 123 digital channels, 15 of which are high definition channels.
Another name of the pay-TV service is Vietnam Cable Television (VCTV). VCTV has thus far appeared over 20 provinces, cities nationwide and broadcasted nearly 100 local and foreign channels. VCTC has also cooperated with strategic partners such Electricity Company 1, Telecommunication Computing Company and so on to launch cable network nationwide in a bid to occupy market share and develop the market. Since 2008, VCTV has spurred cooperation, joint venture to broadcast across cities, residential areas, towns, townships and populous areas.
Another familiar company includes VTC which was used to create a big turning point of opening satellite broadcasting station and lifting the number of channels up to 100. Since June, 2010, VTC has been the only TV station in Vietnam using 2 satellites of Vinasat 1 and Asiasat 5. Meanwhile, K+, is a pay TV service offered by Vietnam Satellite Digital Television (VSTV), the joint venture between Vietnam Cable Television and French firm Canal+. Pay satellite TV network K+ has so far offered over 70 SD channels and 8 DH channels.
Meanwhile, AVG has right in the first days of 2012 opened An Vien pay TV service in Ha Noi and HCMC.
Tricks to occupy market share
To win market share of pay-TV service, the pay-TV companies have had various tricks to lure clients. They include hefty price cutting, promotion, free installment and among others.
Right from early 2012, HCTV offered a free installment for clients registering services of Analog, SDTV and HDTV and an exemption of subscription fee for SD and HD package during 12 months. Meanwhile, K+’s new subscribers enjoyed a price cutting of HD+ subscription package.
SCTV has targeted to invest VND8tril in items of opening schools of TV manpower training, broadcasting 50 HDTV channels by the end of 2015 whilst has focused on spurring additional services of HDTV, VOD, Mobile TV, IPTV and so on.
Meanwhile, AVG has focused on quality of TV channels. At present, AVG has implemented Vietnamese voice-over and dubbing on Star Movies channel in “golden” hours. AVG will launch Vietnamese voice-over and dubbing on HBO and Discovery channels in the coming time.
Reported by T.Dong – Translated by A.C
