Advance Delegate Lists Reveal Fall in US and Western European (NATO) Participation

BEIJING --- Advance international delegate lists for the China TV Program Trade Fair viewed by CMM-I reveal that very few companies from western countries have been invited as the focus of attention is placed firmly on Chinese-speaking territories and the Asian region. 

Not surprisingly, Hongkong tops the list of non-mainland participants with TVB,  ATV, Shaw Media, Filmax Distribution and Animation International among the companies attending. Also prominent are players from Japan (TBS), Singapore (TCS), Malaysia (Juita Viden, HVD) and Thailand (Bangkok Entertainment). 

The most notable Asian presence comes from South Korea with seven separate company delegations led by KBS, SBS, MBC, Cinecom and M. Net. Their distribution arms are hoping to build on the success of Korean love dramas which won high ratings on Chinese TV during 1997 and 1998 (see CMM passim). 

Further afield, the pickings are rather thinner with only a small number of US companies invited or accepting invitations. Viacom/MTV is the only major US player represented. From western Europe, participation is limited to a few organisations led by exhibition specialists Reed Midem, German government-backed Deutschewelle, the industry association ETVE and the French Young Asia Organisation TV. 

From eastern Europe, the main participation is coming from Russia with both Moscow TV Centre and Peace TV represented on VIP lists seen by CMM-I. 

The limited foreign presence is unlikely to have much effect on a market that was always going to be dominated by the regional pavilions constructed by every province, autonomous region and municipality and an agenda focusing on domestic issues relating to the 50th Anniversary and the future for television in China. 

However, the limits imposed on international involvement is also a clear indicator that when political tensions rise, it is usually only those with long track records of successful co-operation with China that can be expected to be judged on merit, not passport, and invited to the biggest party of them all. 

THE LIST OF THE INTERNATIONAL DELEGATES ATTENDING 1999 CHINA TV FAIR 

1. Real TV (Hong Kong)

2. Regentact Co. Ltd. (Hong Kong)

3. Sfinx. Inc. (Japan)

4. Juitaviden Sdn Bhd (Malaysia)

5. New Melody Productions Limited (Hong Kong)

6. Shaw Media Ltd. (Hong Kong)

7. Reed Midem Organisation (Mip Asia) (France)

8. ATV (Hong Kong )

9. World Channel Inc. (USA)

10. Television Corporation of Singapore (Singapore)

11. Golden Town Film Co. (Thailand)

12. CATV (USA)

13. DW (Germany)

14. Pexland International Limited (Hong Kong)

15. Skyview Media Group (USA)

16. The Bangkok Entertainment Co. Ltd. (Thailand)

17. Keesan Media Management Inc. (Korea)

18. Cinecom International Ltd. (Korea)

19. GMD (USA)

20. Major Trend Entertainment Limited (Hong Kong)

21. Filmax Distribution (Hong Kong)

22. MBC Production Co. Ltd. (Korea)

23. Kenny & Co. (Korea)

24. New Star Film Co. Ltd 

25. Aegis Kaos Inc (Korea)

26. M. Net (Nusic Network Inc.) (Korea)

27. KBS Media Enterprises (Korea)

28. Major Com Ltd. (Hong Kong )

29. TVBI Company Limited (Hong Kong)

30. ATV Enterprises Limited (Hong Kong)

31. Fuji Creative Corporation (Hong Kong)

32. Toei Animation Enterprises, Ltd. (Hong  Kong )

33. Animation International Ltd.  (Hong Kong)

34. Teledeifusao de Macau, S.A.R.L. (Macau)

35. Young Asia Organization TV (France)

36. SBS Production (Korea)

37. ESPN

38. HVD Entertainment BHD (Malaysia)

39. EBS (Korea)

40. Seven Network Asia Ltd. (Hong Kong)

41. Golden Slogan Entertainment Company Ltd.

42. Viacom Asia Inc. MTV