Star Group plans to expand content reach
Broadcaster's new chief executive aims to lift earnings by leveraging resources
Michelle Guthrie's skill as a trained lawyer was much in evidence yesterday: the new chief executive of satellite television operator Star Group was careful not to offer specific figures at her first public appearance since taking the top job, instead outlining her vision for the company.
'I tend not to look too much into hard numbers but focus on how to develop the business,' the new head of media mogul Rupert Murdoch's Asia television broadcasting arm said.
'The key is to make sure that we keep on producing something that viewers are willing to pay for ... You can have the best distribution network and best platform but if you don't have good content that people want to watch, the business still doesn't work.'
Ms Guthrie said her focus would be on leveraging existing resources to expand, either by distributing its 20 channels to more broadcasters or launching new channels by repackaging existing content. On Monday, Star launched two new channels - Xing Kong International and Star Chinese Movies - by repackaging existing self-produced Chinese-language television content and a catalogue of more than 800 film titles. The two channels will be broadcast to customers of PCCW's NOW broadband television services.
The only hard goal Ms Gurthrie had set was reaching break even in two years for Xingkong Weishi, its Putonghua channel launched in China 18 months ago.
Star has also opened discussions with Galaxy Satellite Broadcasting about selling all of its 20 channels to the domestic pay-television operator, hoping to maximise returns from its offerings without much additional cost.
Star has an exclusive distribution contract with i-Cable Communications' Cable TV for five channels - Star Sports, ESPN, Phoenix InfoNews, National Geographic and Adventure 1 - but it is due for renewal next year.
