Tag Archives: TVN

PR Newswire

MediaTek and Samsung Introduce World’s First Wi-Fi 6E Enabled 8K TV

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MediaTek’s MT7921AU delivers Wi-Fi 6E for unparalleled streaming experiences

HSINCHU, Taiwan, April 7, 2021 — MediaTek and Samsung today introduced the world’s first 8K QLED TV – the flagship Samsung 8K QLED Y21 – powered by MediaTek’s MT7921AU, delivering the fastest connectivity experiences through its cutting-edge Wi-Fi 6E capabilities. Following their announcement of the world’s first Wi-Fi 6 enabled 8K TV in 2020, MediaTek and Samsung are yet again driving the smart TV industry forward with the latest connectivity features and premium 8K imaging for unparalleled home entertainment experiences.

MT7921AU supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 from a single, highly integrated platform. With 1.2 Gbps speeds, consumers can enjoy smoother streaming and gaming for uninterrupted entertainment. Wi-Fi 6E is designed to make use of uncongested bandwidth in the 6GHz spectrum and offers numerous advantages over previous Wi-Fi generations, such as significantly faster multi-gigabit data throughput, lower latencies and the latest security and connection reliability features.

"Consumers depend on fast, reliable connectivity, whether they are using their TV for streaming, gaming or following along with workouts. Our collaboration with Samsung has been instrumental in bringing consumers the latest smart TV technology to support these uses and beyond," said Jerry Yu, MediaTek Corporate Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Intelligent Devices Business Group. "With our advanced connectivity technologies – including WiFi-6 support – integrated into Samsung’s 8K TVs, we’re driving the premium smart TV segment forward globally."

MediaTek is the world leader for Wi-Fi technology, which is used widely in global products, including mobile devices, audio solutions, PCs, digital TVs, Blu-ray players, IPTV set-top boxes and web cams. MediaTek works closely with the Wi-Fi Alliance to ensure its connectivity portfolio supports the latest Wi-Fi features, such as Wi-Fi 6E. Affirming its leading industry position, MediaTek has recently been selected by the Wi-Fi Alliance to be part of the Wi-Fi 6E certification test bed for Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6™ devices.

For more information on MediaTek’s smart TV solutions, please visit: https://www.mediatek.com/products/entertainment/digital-tv

About MediaTek Inc.

MediaTek Incorporated (TWSE: 2454) is a global fabless semiconductor company that enables nearly 2 billion connected devices a year. We are a market leader in developing innovative systems-on-chip (SoC) for mobile device, home entertainment, connectivity and IoT products. Our dedication to innovation has positioned us as a driving market force in several key technology areas, including highly power-efficient mobile technologies, automotive solutions and a broad range of advanced multimedia products such as smartphones, tablets, digital televisions, 5G, Voice Assistant Devices (VAD) and wearables. MediaTek empowers and inspires people to expand their horizons and achieve their goals through smart technology, more easily and efficiently than ever before. We work with the brands you love to make great technology accessible to everyone, and it drives everything we do. Visit www.mediatek.com for more information.

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PR Newswire

ucfunnel and NetRange partner to enable dynamic ads across the Smart TV ecosystem

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SAN FRANCISCO, March 16, 2021 — ucfunnel, a global Smart Media programmatic solution provider, today announced a new partnership with NetRange MMH GmbH (‘NetRange’), an ACCESS CO., LTD. company and the leading global provider of white-label certified Smart TV ecosystems, to deliver value-added advertisements on NetRange’s portal for Premium Streaming VoD Content.

ucfunnel and NetRange’s exclusive industry-leading partnership builds on MediaTek Smart TV turnkey solutions to integrate the advantages of ucfunnel’s IAB Tech Lab certified OM SDK into NetRange’s portals for Smart TV and MediaTek’s hardware design to serve the needs of premium OEMs. The collaboration provides access to NetRange’s advertising tool, which includes full backend control (removing the requirement for underlying software to change code), customizable ad placement, and ad targeting based on factors such as device, country, brand and more. The integrated solution benefits both premium content providers and media buy sides, creating a seamless user experience by providing a highly visual digital journey on Smart TVs.

Leveraging ucfunnel’s splash ad solution on Connected TV launchers, ucfunnel will showcase NetRange’s CTV inventory, attracting global media buy sides to reallocate media spend on high-impact ad formats exclusively available on Smart TV portals. This year alone, over 10 million Smart TVs will ship with ucfunnel’s marketing automation solution, reaching more than 100 countries across North, Central, and South America, the Asia-Pacific and MENA regions, and the EU and Africa.

ucX, the ad exchange platform powered and developed by ucfunnel, serves 150 billion impressions monthly. The platform meets the growing needs of both media buyers and trade media across the globe by achieving market penetration on an automated system level, intelligently tailoring campaigns to deliver high-impact ad experiences and boosting campaign relevance and stickiness.

"ucfunnel’s Smart Media solution redefines what is possible with Smart TV portals," said Mr. Michimasa Uematsu, Director, CTO & Senior Managing Executive Officer at ACCESS CO., LTD., NetRange’s Parent Company. Kenny Wu, Head of Smart Media BU at ucfunnel, applauded the strong partnership with ACCESS CO., LTD. and NetRange. "We are excited to work with NetRange to deliver and leverage brand images on Smart TV portals through marketing automation."

The partnership with ACCESS evolves the monetization strategy of NetRange’s portal for Smart TV (powered by MediaTek Smart TV turnkey solutions) by scaling dynamic advertising and increasing interactive user experiences while accessing Premium Streaming VoD Content. Smart TV portals combining Recommendation and e-commerce related services are expected to launch in the coming months, further expanding the reach of ucfunnel’s marketing automation solutions.

About ucfunnel

ucfunnel, a global Smart Media programmatic solution provider, helps media and publishers leverage content and generate value by strategically showcasing their inventory across devices, especially in the Smart Media ecosystem. ucfunnel has established end-to-end media marketing solutions for Ad Exchange, SSP, and DMP using IAB Tech Lab certified OM SDK. The total AI solution serves up to 150 billion bid requests monthly by partnering with over 50,000 publishers across the globe, especially in the US, APAC and MENA markets. ucfunnel teams with global buy side partners while also providing 24/7/365 technical and business support to grow with them across devices and ad formats. The variety of offerings includes Web, App, DOOH, IoT, OTT, STB, audio, standard and high impact ad formats. ucfunnel operates across regions at a global scale, optimizing current products and working with partners like ACCESS and NetRange on new product development. For more information, please visit https://www.ucfunnel.com.

About ACCESS

Since 1984, ACCESS CO., LTD. has provided advanced IT solutions centered around mobile and network software technologies to telecom carriers, consumer electronics manufacturers, broadcasting and publishing companies, the automotive industry and energy infrastructure providers around the world. The company develops mobile software solutions that have been installed on over 1.5 billion devices, and network software solutions that have been used by over 300 telecommunication equipment manufacturers. Utilizing its network virtualization technology skills and knowledge, the company is currently focusing on the development and commercialization of IoT and media solutions that combine embedded and cloud technology. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, the company operates subsidiaries and affiliates in Asia, Europe and the United States to support and expand its business globally. Learn more about ACCESS at www.access-company.com.

About NetRange

As one of the pioneers of Smart TV, NetRange is the global provider of white-labeled turnkey Smart TV and OTT ecosystems. NetRange is operating an integrated, full-service solution that includes UI design, payment, billing and customer management, content aggregation, backend services including global CDN, second level support and app development for more than 100 global CE, TV, STB, retailer and operator brands, such as Vodafone, Grundig, Arcelik, TCL, Skyworth, Sharp, Loewe, Changhong, Ikea, MSH, Thomson and HD+. Its fully featured content portfolio includes local and global premium VoDs, linear TV channels via IP, cloud games, live sports, music and lifestyle apps. On its white-labeled Smart TV app store, NetRange makes media content available for TV users in over 100 countries around the world. In 2016 NetRange has launched OS.CAR, the new connected car infotainment platform. Recently, NetRange has released VISNOS, the new client-based Smart TV OS. With VISNOS, NetRange enables a full Smart TV experience on low end / low CPU powered DTV/ATVs without the integration of a browser and significantly reduces BOM costs.

CONTACT:
ucfunnel
Chih-Chi Wang
pr@ucfunnel.com

Related Links :

https://www.ucfunnel.com/

PR Newswire

French famous comedian Kavin Razy held new socially interactive talk show celebrating Velentine’s day on Bigo Live

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– The same authentic French humour and openness from Razy is on live

PARIS, March 2, 2021 — Bigo Live, the leading face of live streaming, announced today a new show demonstrating how mainstream entertainment and culture continues to adapt despite COVID-19.

Headlining the first in a series of new socially interactive programs is a comedy talk show, Krazy Story, hosted by standup comedian and rising star Kevin Razy.

The comedian, radio host, and television presenter is no stranger to the French public. Razy interacts with listeners on SWIGG radio every morning, hosts television shows, and does standup comedy. On Bigo Live’s new Krazy Show, Autour de Kevin Razy, shares the spotlight with others as they touch on social issues with a healthy dash of humour.

Catch Kevin Razy's New Show as Comedian Brings Krazy Story To Bigo Live
Catch Kevin Razy’s New Show as Comedian Brings Krazy Story To Bigo Live

With COVID-19 impacting television production, this has meant that personalities like Razy needed to find new ways of connecting with their audience. After switching to live streaming during the first lockdown, Razy switched to Bigo Live after being introduced by a friend.

"As an artist, having a platform and freedom to communicate actively with a large audience is crucial. Bigo Live’s large audience and ability to communicate easily with multiple people at one time convinced me to join the platform. And everyone is there!" said Razy.

The Krazy Story is all about discussing sensitive topics like love and sex without stigma. Viewers can expect the same authentic French humour and openness from Razy as he and his guests discuss close-to-heart issues.

The series started with a Virtual Valentine’s Day with Razy and guests Maev99, Coco_twerkit, and their partners sharing their thoughts on life and love during the lockdown.

In the second half of the show, Razy invites a random couple from the virtual audience in the multi-guest room to participate in the discussion.

The multi-guest room feature on Bigo Live has been gaining popularity in France. Allowing instantaneous interaction between the broadcaster and users breaks down the traditional barriers of what one expects from such media.

Catch Kevinrazy, coco twerkit, Maev, 100am_, Sofia, and Alka on Bigo Live!
Catch Kevinrazy, coco twerkit, Maev, 100am_, Sofia, and Alka on Bigo Live!

Bigo Live previously used the feature to significantly raise the impact of its community campaigns, including the #WeStandTogether movement[1] for the LGBTQ community and the exclusive Cloud Clubbing initiative.

"We have had a lot of inspiring conversations on the multi-people room, users new to the platform compared it to a virtual clubhouse. Everyone at Bigo Live is excited to explore more possibilities with the popular feature," a Bigo Live representative explained.

VISUAL NEEDED[2] 

Talking about the focus on socially interactive content, the Bigo Live representative added that "ensuring we keep up social interaction while at home is incredibly important. Unfortunately, the Internet has not always been the best place for this."

"We are looking to change that by breaking down barriers to bring interaction and provide a space for friendship, love and entertainment".

Kevin Razy’s Krazy Story launched on February 12. To catch the show, you can logon to Bigo Live at www.bigo.tv every Friday night.

Find out more about Bigo Live on https://www.bigo.sg/about, or visit our socials at https://www.instagram.com/bigolivefr/ and https://www.bigo.tv/?shortlink=DEbillboard&pid=region_event&c=DE%20Billboard&is_retargeting=true 

About Bigo Live

Bigo Live is one of the world’s fastest-growing live streaming social communities where users can share, inspire, and interact in real-time with each other around the globe. The app is used by around 400 million users in more than 150 countries. Bigo Live is owned by BIGO Technology, which has enhanced global connections since 2014. BIGO Technology is headquartered in Singapore and has more than 30 offices and six R&D centres worldwide.

PR Newswire

Acorn International Completes Going Private Transaction

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SHANGHAI, Jan. 30, 2021 — Acorn International, Inc. (NYSE: ATV) ("Acorn" or the "Company"), a leading marketing and branding company in China, today announced the completion of its merger (the "Merger") with First Ostia Port Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the "Controlling Shareholder"), pursuant to the previously announced definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger dated October 12, 2020 (the "Merger Agreement") among the Company, First Ostia Port Ltd., and its wholly owned subsidiary Second Actium Coin Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company ("Merger Sub"). As a result of the Merger, the Merger Sub has merged with and into the Company thereby becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of the Controlling Shareholder.

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, which was approved at the extraordinary meeting of shareholders held on January 21, 2021 (US time), each ordinary share, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (a "Share" or, collectively, the "Shares"), including Shares represented by American Depositary Shares, each representing twenty Shares (the "ADSs"), issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (i.e., today, January 29, 2021), other than certain excluded shares (as described in the Company’s proxy statement relating to the Merger) has been canceled in exchange for the right to receive $1.05 in cash per Share without interest (the "Per Share Merger Consideration"). As each ADS represents twenty Shares, each ADS issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, other than ADSs representing certain excluded shares, has been canceled in exchange for the right to receive $21.00 in cash without interest (the "Per ADS Merger Consideration") pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement.

Shareholders and ADS holders of record as of the effective time of the Merger who are entitled to the merger consideration will receive a letter of transmittal and instructions on how to surrender their share certificates or ADS certificates in exchange for the merger consideration (net of any applicable withholding taxes). Shareholders and ADS holders of record should wait to receive the letter of transmittal before surrendering their share or ADS certificates. For ADSs’ held in "street name" by a broker, bank or other nominee that are entitled to the merger consideration, payment of the merger consideration of US$21.00 per ADS in cash without interest (less a cancellation fee of US$0.05 per ADS and net of any applicable withholding taxes) will be made to ADS holders promptly after Citibank, N.A., the Company’s ADS depositary, receives the merger consideration.

The merger consideration remitted by First Ostia Port Ltd. was substantially financed by East West Bancorp, Inc., a publicly owned company with total assets of $50.4 billion and traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "EWBC". The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, East West Bank, is one of the largest independent banks headquartered in California, operating over 125 locations in the United States and Greater China. For more information on East West Bank, visit the Company’s website at www.eastwestbank.com.

The Company also announced today that it requested that trading of its ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") will be suspended as of the close of trading on January 29, 2021. The Company requested the NYSE to file a Form 25 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") notifying the SEC of the delisting of its ADSs on the NYSE and the deregistration of the Company’s registered securities. The deregistration will become effective 90 days after the filing of the Form 25, or such shorter period as may be determined by the SEC. The Company intends to suspend its reporting obligations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, by filing a Form 15 with the SEC. The Company’s obligations to file with the SEC certain reports and forms, including Form 20-F and Form 6-K, will be suspended immediately as of the filing date of the Form 15, and will terminate once the deregistration becomes effective.

About Acorn International, Inc.

Acorn International is a leading marketing and branding company in China, leveraging a twenty-year direct marketing history to monetize brand IP, content creation and distribution, and product sales, through digital media in China. For more information visit www.acorninternationalgroup.com.

Safe Harbor Statement 

This news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "future," "going forward," "intends," "outlook," "plans," "target," "will," "would," "potential," "proposal" and similar statements. Such statements are based on current expectations and current economic, market and operating conditions, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond control, and may cause actual results, performance, actions, or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties, or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Investor Contacts:

Acorn International, Inc.

              Compass Investor Relations

Mr. Jacob A. Fisch

              Ms. Elaine Ketchmere, CFA

Phone +86-21-5151-8888

              Phone: +1-310-528-3031

Email: ir@chinadrtv.com

              Email: Eketchmere@compass-ir.com

www.acorninternationalgroup.com

              www.compassinvestorrelations.com

 

Related Links :

http://www.acorninternationalgroup.com

PR Newswire

Acorn International’s Shareholders Approve Going Private Transaction

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SHANGHAI, Jan. 22, 2021 — Acorn International, Inc. (NYSE: ATV) ("Acorn" or the "Company"), a leading marketing and branding company in China, today announced that at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders (the "EGM") held today, the Company’s shareholders voted in favor of, among other things, the proposal to authorize and approve the previously announced agreement and plan of merger (the "Merger Agreement") with First Ostia Port Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company ("Parent"), and Second Actium Coin Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent ("Merger Sub"), the plan of merger required to be filed with the Registrar of Companies of the Cayman Islands (the "Plan of Merger") in connection with the Merger; and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and the Plan of Merger, including the Merger (collectively, the "Transactions").

Approximately 98% of the voting rights of the shares voting in person or by proxy were voted in favor of the proposal to authorize and approve the Merger Agreement, Plan of Merger and the Transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the merger. A two-thirds majority of the voting power represented by the shares of the Company present and voting in person or by proxy at the EGM was required for approving the merger.

The parties currently expect to complete the merger as soon as practicable, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement. Upon completion of the merger, the Company will become a privately held company and its American depositary shares will no longer be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

About Acorn International, Inc.

Acorn International is a leading marketing and branding company in China, leveraging a twenty-year direct marketing history to monetize brand IP, content creation and distribution, and product sales, through digital media in China. For more information visit www.acorninternationalgroup.com.

Safe Harbor Statement 

This news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "future," "going forward," "intends," "outlook," "plans," "target," "will," "would," "potential," "proposal" and similar statements. Such statements are based on current expectations and current economic, market and operating conditions, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond control, including whether certain conditions precedent to the Merger will be satisfied, which (if they are not) would mean the Merger may not close, and may cause actual results, performance, actions, or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties, or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Investor Contacts:

Acorn International, Inc.

              Compass Investor Relations

Mr. Jacob A. Fisch

              Ms. Elaine Ketchmere, CFA

Phone +86-21-5151-8888

              Phone: +1-310-528-3031

Email: ir@chinadrtv.com

              Email: Eketchmere@compass-ir.com

www.acorninternationalgroup.com

              www.compassinvestorrelations.com

 

Related Links :

http://www.acorninternationalgroup.com

PR Newswire

CGTN: After ‘extraordinary’ 2020, what are Xi Jinping’s expectations for 2021?

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BEIJING, Jan. 4, 2021 — 2021, a year that marks the beginning of China’s new five-year plan period and the 100th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), is knocking at the door.

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What are Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expectations for 2021, especially after the country’s hard-won achievements in 2020?

Clues can be found in his New Year address.

2021: ‘Striving is the only way forward’

China will enter a new stage of development to build a modern socialist country in an all-round way in 2021, as the CPC leadership has adopted proposals for formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan and long-range goals.

"The road ahead is long; striving is the only way forward," Xi said in his address, calling for efforts to set up a new pattern for development to be accelerated, deeply implementing high-quality development and further deepening reform and expanding opening-up.

Rising above virus test, China’s top leaders set the economic priorities for 2021 in the key Central Economic Work Conference held in December, stressing that China will keep its macro policies consistent, stable and sustainable in 2021, with continued implementation of a proactive fiscal policy and prudent monetary policy.

In 2021, the country will take a solid first step in building the new development paradigm in which domestic and foreign markets reinforce each other, with the domestic market as the mainstay.

A comparison of China's key tasks for 2020 and 2021
A comparison of China’s key tasks for 2020 and 2021

Meanwhile, the president stressed the need to keep working hard to promote rural vitalization as the country has achieved decisive success in eradicating extreme poverty in 2020.

In the next five years, efforts will be made to consolidate achievements in the fight against poverty and fully promote the strategy of rural vitalization, according to the CPC Central Committee’s proposed major social and economic development targets for the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

Read more: 
China is set to end absolute poverty by 2020, what’s next?

To realize all these goals, upholding the Party leadership is the most fundamental guarantee, Xi has said on many occasions. 

In his New Year address, Xi described the Party as a gigantic vessel that leads China forward steadily with people’s expectations and the hope of the nation and stressed the importance of "original aspiration."

The CPC was founded with an original aspiration: the mission to seek happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, and has remained committed to the people-centered philosophy of development.

The CPC’s original aspiration is even firmer 100 years later, Xi said.

2020: ‘Extraordinary’ in various areas

Looking back at 2020, the president described the year as an "anti-epidemic epic" and devoted much of his address to highlighting China’s all-out people’s war against COVID-19.

"Greatness is forged in the ordinary. Heroes come from the people. Every person is remarkable!" Xi said, before sending his sympathies to all those infected with the coronavirus.

In September, three outstanding medical professionals were conferred the national honorary title "the People’s Hero," while a total of 1,499 individuals, 500 groups, 186 CPC members and 150 primary-level Party organizations were commended for their roles in fighting the epidemic, and another 14 Party members were posthumously awarded.

Read more:

Wuhan’s war on COVID-19: How China mobilizes the whole country to contain the virus

Remembering the medical professionals we’ve lost to coronavirus

Meanwhile, China has participated actively in several global meetings to provide the international community with solutions and experiences, such as the G20 virtual summit on COVID-19, the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), China, Japan and South Korea (ASEAN Plus Three or APT) on COVID-19, and a special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ meeting on the outbreak.

President Xi also reviewed China’s achievements in various areas.

China is the first major economy worldwide to achieve positive growth in 2020, and its GDP is expected to step up to a new level of 100 trillion yuan. China has seen a good harvest in grain production for 17 years in a row, according to the president.

China's GDP growth in 2020 expected to be 1.9% by IMF
China’s GDP growth in 2020 expected to be 1.9% by IMF

Within eight years, under the current standard, China has eradicated extreme poverty for the nearly 100 million rural people affected, and all the 832 impoverished counties have shaken off poverty, he added.

China has seen breakthroughs in scientific explorations like the Tianwen-1 (Mars mission), Chang’e-5 (lunar probe), and Fendouzhe (deep-sea manned submersible). Construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port is proceeding with vigor, Xi said.

The president also recalled the unforgettable memories in 2020, including his inspections of 13 provincial-level regions, the 40th anniversary of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone and his phone calls with friends from the international community to combat the pandemic. 

Read more:

Ten moments from Xi Jinping’s inspection tours

Xi’s ‘cloud diplomacy’ in the first half of 2020 instills global confidence

As the pandemic is still ravaging the world, President Xi highlighted the significance of a community with a shared future for mankind, especially for the post-pandemic world.

Read original article: here.

VIDEO – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUevNynvlkw

PR Newswire

CNN’s ‘Eco Solutions’ meets the Japanese innovators tackling the problem of food waste

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A week of special coverage begins December 21, with a 30-minute program airing December 26-27

HONG KONG, Dec. 17, 2020 — On this month’s ‘Eco Solutions’, CNN international correspondent Selina Wang explores how many people in Japan are now looking to tackle the problem of food waste head on – rethinking how we eat and conserving precious resources. In this 30-minute special, CNN meets the scientists and pioneers racing to find smart ways to make more and waste less. 

CNN’s ‘Eco Solutions’ meets the Japanese innovators tackling the problem of food waste
CNN’s ‘Eco Solutions’ meets the Japanese innovators tackling the problem of food waste

As diners increasingly weigh up the environmental costs associated with consuming livestock, many are looking to unique meat alternatives. In his Tokyo restaurant Antcicada, entrepreneur Yuta Shinohara is looking to promote a sustainable and high-protein alternative to meat: insects. Shinohara is changing perceptions of insect food, serving up everything from gourmet cricket-based ramen to silkworm sausages.

Iconic Japanese company Nissin, famous for the Cup Noodle, is betting on the rise of eco-friendly comfort food. CNN learns about the company’s latest project: a new steak-flavored ramen featuring meat grown in a lab. Nissin is collaborating with Tokyo University professor Shoji Takeuchi to develop this meat, which is grown from animal stem cells. In his lab, Takeuchi explains how this invention could cut emissions and feed a growing population. 

Each year, Japan throws away millions of tons of still edible food. This problem of food waste has led some to find creative ways to champion the spirit of mottainai – a centuries old concept rooted in the philosophy of respecting the value in all things. Uchiyama Masahiro’s new mottainai project restaurant serves up misshapen but perfectly edible dishes made from seafood which would otherwise have been discarded. Meanwhile, Kazuma Kawagoe’s app ‘Tabete’ matches users with eateries offering discounted food before it’s thrown away.

Food scraps are also revitalizing the Japanese paper tradition. CNN travels to Echizen, birthplace of the craft of making traditional Japanese paper, or washi. Here, artisans still make washi by hand – including Masami Igarashi, who is giving the 1500-year-old craft an eco-friendly update. She uses vegetable peels and other food waste as the basis of her paper products. This year, she even launched a line of biodegradable stationary products made up of her ‘food paper’.

Japan uses billions of disposable wooden chopsticks, or waribashi, every year – but most of these are imported from unmanaged forests, claiming millions of trees annually. CNN hears from Yoshihiro Takeuchi, a craftsman from a new generation of waribashi designers working to produce upcycled chopsticks by only using scraps of trees from sustainably managed forests. CNN also meets Tokyo-based designer Eko Hayashi, who co-created a waribashi-making kit, including tools and upcycled cypress, in the hopes of attracting a new audience to the work of waribashi craftsmen. 

Eco Solutions Japan trailer: https://bit.ly/381YM0c 
Eco Solutions Japan images: https://bit.ly/2LrShwh  
Eco Solutions microsite: https://cnn.it/3gAR7tQ  

Airtimes for 30-minute special:

Saturday, December 26 at 2:00pm HKT
Sunday, December 27 at 11:00am and 7:00pm HKT

About CNN International 

CNN’s portfolio of news and information services is available in seven different languages across all major TV, digital and mobile platforms, reaching more than 475 million households around the globe. CNN International is the number one international TV news channel according to all major media surveys across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific region, and Latin America and has a US presence that includes CNNgo. CNN Digital is a leading network for online news, mobile news and social media. CNN is at the forefront of digital innovation and continues to invest heavily in expanding its digital global footprint, with a suite of award-winning digital properties and a range of strategic content partnerships, commercialised through a strong data-driven understanding of audience behaviours. CNN has won multiple prestigious awards around the world for its journalism. Around 1,000 hours of long-form series, documentaries and specials are produced every year by CNNI’s non-news programming division. CNN has 36 editorial offices and more than 1,100 affiliates worldwide through CNN Newsource. CNN International is a WarnerMedia company.

PR Newswire

CNN’s ‘Going Green’ meets the game-changers who reveal the light bulb moments that led to a green revolution

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HONG KONG, Dec. 15, 2020 — Across the globe, people are working tirelessly on innovations to solve some of the biggest environmental challenges we face. This month, in a 30-minute special, CNN’s ‘Going Green’ meets the experts leading a green revolution in everything from organic farming to species conservation.

CNN’s ‘Going Green’ meets the game-changers who reveal the light bulb moments that led to a green revolution
CNN’s ‘Going Green’ meets the game-changers who reveal the light bulb moments that led to a green revolution

When Wesley Oxenham returned to his home country of Mauritius, he knew he wanted to give back to the community. He created ‘Farm City’, empowering locals to grow their own organic food and teaching children about ecology, environment and farming. The small social enterprise has proven so successful he is now expanding the idea, setting up a second farm in Singapore.

Pangolins are among the most heavily poached animals on earth, facing a threat so large they could be pushed to the brink of extinction soon. CNN learns about the ongoing efforts to rescue and rehabilitate abused and trafficked pangolins in South Africa, and hears from Ray Jansen, chairman of the African Pangolin Working Group, about the need for a collective humanitarian effort to save them.

David Milarch is on a mission to save the largest organisms the world has ever known: redwood trees. They can grow to over 115 meters tall and can live for over two millennia – but persistent logging and the mounting effects of climate change have now put the future survival of these trees in jeopardy. Milarch and his army of volunteers around the world are working to clone and propagate new redwoods in the hopes of saving them for many generations to come. 

South Africa has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, but it is also ranked as one of the planet’s worst plastic marine polluters – creating an environmental crisis on its shoreline. CNN meets conservationist Aaniyah Omardien, who founded a volunteer-based beach co-op to clean popular beaches. She has teamed up with Peter Ryan, an ornithologist and leading researcher on marine plastic waste, to investigate the origins of the plastic pollution they find.

Beyond Hong Kong’s world-famous skyline lies miles of lush tropical forests and mountain jungles – but this wasn’t always the case. Around 40 years ago the city launched an aggressive reforestation program to prevent erosion and beautify the city’s mountain landscapes. CNN meets one of the local pioneers of conservation, Gunter Fischer, who continues to lead the charge to green Hong Kong through an ecological restoration project.

Going Green trailer: https://bit.ly/3gLdvQZ 
Going Green images: https://bit.ly/3qAwnXp 
Going Green microsite: https://cnn.it/3ltwWPf 

Airtimes for 30-minute special:

Saturday, December 19 at 7:00pm HKT
Monday, December 21 at 2:00am HKT

About CNN International 

CNN’s portfolio of news and information services is available in seven different languages across all major TV, digital and mobile platforms, reaching more than 475 million households around the globe. CNN International is the number one international TV news channel according to all major media surveys across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific region, and Latin America and has a US presence that includes CNNgo. CNN Digital is a leading network for online news, mobile news and social media. CNN is at the forefront of digital innovation and continues to invest heavily in expanding its digital global footprint, with a suite of award-winning digital properties and a range of strategic content partnerships, commercialised through a strong data-driven understanding of audience behaviours. CNN has won multiple prestigious awards around the world for its journalism. Around 1,000 hours of long-form series, documentaries and specials are produced every year by CNNI’s non-news programming division. CNN has 36 editorial offices and more than 1,100 affiliates worldwide through CNN Newsource. CNN International is a WarnerMedia company.

PR Newswire

Norwegian Cruise Line Reunites Award-Winning Broadway Stars for “EMBARK NCL Spotlight” Episode, “Live From Broadway”

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– Performances by Renowned Musical Theatre Veterans Brenda Braxton, Stephanie Pope, Alan Mingo and More Stream Live 18th December 2020 at www.ncl.com/embark –

LONDON, Dec. 4, 2020 — Norwegian Cruise Line, the innovator in global cruise travel with a 53-year history of breaking boundaries, showcases its continued commitment to the performing arts community with its  second "EMBARK NCL Spotlight" episode, "Live From Broadway," following the highly successful debut of its first "EMBARK NCL Spotlight" episode, "The Choir of Man – Live From London," which received over 500,000 views within the first week of airing.

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8667852-norwegian-cruise-line-embark-spotlight-live-from-broadway/

For NCL’s "Live From Broadway" episode, the Company reunites top talent from the musical theatre world in New York City for an exclusive showcase of the Brand’s Broadway and West End calibre entertainment available across its fleet, including performances by:

  • Michael Fasano, singing "Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You" from the Tony Award®-winning musical "Jersey Boys" available on Norwegian Bliss;
  • Brenda Braxton, singing "On the Sunny Side of the Street" from "After Midnight" available on Norwegian Escape;
  • Marissa Rosen, singing Cyndi Lauper’s "True Colours" from "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" available on Norwegian Epic;
  • Stephanie Pope, singing Donna Summer’s "Last Dance" featured in the Australian musical "Velvet" available on Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Breakaway;
  • Leandra Ellis-Gaston and Zach Cossman, performing a duet to "Almost Paradise" from "Footloose" available on Norwegian Joy;
  • Colin Summers, singing "Blue Suede Shoes" from "Million Dollar Quartet" available on Norwegian Getaway; and
  • Alan Mingo, singing "Land of Lola" from the Tony Award®-winning musical "Kinky Boots" available on Norwegian Encore.

"It brings us tremendous joy to be able to share our award-winning entertainment with our friends during a time like this and seeing our family of performers relish the opportunity is incredibly heartwarming," said Norwegian Cruise Line President and CEO Harry Sommer. I cannot wait for our guests to see their favourites again at sea very soon."

In addition to stellar performances, the cast members will share what it means to them to perform for the first time in many months. The nearly 40-minute "EMBARK NCL Spotlight" episode, "Live From Broadway," will stream live at www.ncl.com/embark on Friday 18th December at 2 a.m. BST, before being made available on-demand.

For assets and press materials, click here.

 

Related Links :

http://www.ncl.com

PR Newswire

iQIYI’s Hit Suspense Drama “The Bad Kids” to Premiere in Japan in 2021

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iQIYI’s hit Mist Theater dramas successfully distributed in overseas markets including Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Macau

BEIJING, Oct. 11, 2020 — iQIYI Inc. (NASDAQ: IQ) ("iQIYI" or the "Company"), an innovative market-leading online entertainment service in China, is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with WOWOW, Japan’s leading premium satellite television station, to release its hit suspense The Bad Kids, in Japan in early 2021.

iQIYI’s Hit Suspense Drama “The Bad Kids” to Premiere in Japan in 2021
iQIYI’s Hit Suspense Drama “The Bad Kids” to Premiere in Japan in 2021

As part of iQIYI’s Mist Theater, a content library dedicated to iQIYI’s original suspense dramas, The Bad Kids is the first Chinese series that is directly acquired by WOWOW and the first Chinese modern drama shown on its channel. 

A representative from WOWOW says: "It’s a great honor to cooperate with iQIYI. The Bad Kids has received rave reviews since its release in China, and we are looking forward to receiving the same response among the Japanese audience."

Presented by iQIYI and co-produced by Eternity Pictures, The Bad Kids is a 12-episode suspense series that tells the story of three kids in a small coastal town who accidentally witness a murder. The hit suspense drama, produced by Han Sanping and directed by Xin Shuang, features a star-stud cast led by Qin Hao and Wang Jingchun. Since its release, The Bad Kids has received positive reviews from nearly 800,000 viewers on the influential media review platform Douban, with an average score of 9.2 out of 10, making it the then highest rated Chinese TV series released in 2020 and a breakout hit in China. Recently, The Bad Kids has received five nominations for the 2nd Asia Contents Awards organized by the prestigious 25th Busan International Film Festival.

The Bad Kids is one of the series under Mist Theater which has achieved success in overseas distribution. The other four series under Mist Theater have also secured overseas release. Kidnapping Game has already aired on Singtel TV in Singapore, which is also planning to air Sisyphus and The Long Night soon. The Mist Theater series are also broadcasted on iQIYI HD Channel on Astro, a leading media brand in Malaysia. Part of Mist Theater series will be also aired on mainstream TV stations in overseas markets such as Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Macau.

The successful overseas distribution of Mist Theater series and the release of The Bad Kids through WOWOW TV in Japan has proven that Chinese streaming media platforms, led by iQIYI, have the capability to consistently produce high-quality original content.  Meanwhile, their genre-based content development and innovative exploration of content distribution models have attracted great interest from overseas markets. iQIYI’s premium content has been well received among overseas audiences, gaining international recognition and bringing Chinese dramas to the global arena.

About iQIYI, Inc.
iQIYI, Inc. is an innovative market-leading online entertainment service in China. Its corporate DNA combines creative talent with technology, fostering an environment for continuous innovation and the production of blockbuster content. iQIYI’s platform features highly popular original content, as well as a comprehensive library of other professionally-produced content, partner-generated content and user generated content. The Company distinguishes itself in the online entertainment industry by its leading technology platform powered by advanced AI, big data analytics and other core proprietary technologies. iQIYI attracts a massive user base with tremendous user engagement, and has developed a diversified monetization model including membership services, online advertising services, content distribution, live broadcasting, online games, IP licensing, online literature and e-commerce.