THE US-based ESPN Asia sports network has moved its up-linking headquarters for its Asian pay-TV satellite operations to Hongkong after using Malaysia Telekom facilities for almost a year.
The company had earlier considered moving to Singapore.
It is understood that the ESPN move to Hongkong was prompted in part by disappointment when an expected deal to broadcast on the SBS cable-TV network in Singapore fell through, and unhappiness with the quality of the signal from the Malaysia Telekom facility.
So far, ESPN Asia, a wholly owned subsidiary of ESPN Inc, is the only United States broadcaster to have signed for a full service out of Hongkong. Another broadcaster,the HBO movie channel, has set up in Singapore, while CNN is yet to make a decision on its Asian base.
Meanwhile, ESPN Asia has announced it will begin broadcasting Putonghua-language commentaries for its Asian programming this summer on the Palapa B2P satellite.