Competition heats up as news channels tweak strategies in Asia

Just this week, for example, BBC, CNN, and Channel News Asia have all made announcements about new programming and new on-air personalities.

Regional broadcaster Channel News Asia is moving to a 24-hour format, up from its current 20 hours. As part of this, the channel said its news content has increased by more than one-third.

Channel News Asia is also readying plans to double its business news content. It has launched new programmes, including Business Central, featuring key stories from Singapore, Mumbai, Hong Kong and Shanghai; and News Pulse, which tracks developments overnight for Asia. This will be followed by another new programme, First Look Asia.

CNN is also expanding its live programming from Asia with the launch of two news shows. Debuting tonight, CNN NewsCenter, out of Hong Kong, features CNN veteran Monita Rajpal. A new two-hour primetime morning show, CNN Newsroom, Live from Hong Kong, will be anchored by Andrew Stevens and Patricia Wu. This comes just weeks after CNN launched On China, the network’s first regular series focused on the country, which is hosted by Hong Kong-based Kristie Lu Stout.

“The Asia-Pacific region is dynamic, compelling and delivers stories that shape the news day for the rest of the world,” said Mike McCarthy, senior VP, CNN International.

Not to be left out, rival BBC is also investing in the region. It has appointed Linda Yueh in Singapore to cover business news stories throughout Asia. She will also host her own weekly business programme, which will provide expert commentary and insight into business and macro-economic trends, according to the company.

Guy Hearn, director of communications insight, APAC, at Omnicom Media Group, told Campaign Asia-Pacific that in an era of rapidly increasing speed of information dissemination, the role of the 24-hour news channel is at "something of a crossroads".

"Whereas it used to be the primary source of breaking news, this function is now challenged by Twitter and other social platforms," he said. "What users are looking for in a 24-hour news channel then is more in-depth coverage, comment and context than social platforms can deliver. But they are also looking for that content to be rapidly and frequently updated. This means that news channels need the ability not only to create their own content but to gather and curate content from numerous reputable sources."

Channel News Asia channel also intends to enhance the features of its Android application, to match iPhone and iPad versions.

Nielsen’s latest Media Index Report revealed that there has been uptick in digital media consumption. Channelnewsasia.com saw year-on-year growth for its website reach 11.7 per cent. On an average, more than four in 10 people aged 15 and above accessed videos, movies and television programs online on a monthly basis.