July 7, 2005


i-CABLE and KCRC to Launch Innovative News and Advertising Medium on Trains

(7 July, 2005 - Hong Kong) Hong Kong Cable News Express Limited (HKCNE), a subsidiary of i-CABLE Communications Limited (i-CABLE), today (Thursday) held a reception to mark the launch of commercial airtime sales on KCR's Newsline Express, a brand new news and advertising medium on trains.

The celebration ceremony was officiated by i-CABLE Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Stephen Ng, and Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation Chairman, Mr. Michael Tien. Also attending the celebration was HKCNE General Manager, Mr. Samuel Tsang, and Director - Property, KCRC, Mr. Daniel Lam.

Addressing the ceremony, Mr. Ng described Newsline Express, a unique and innovative out-of-home audio-visual news medium, as "an exciting service", not only for its providers but also for advertisers and KCR passengers.

Mr. Ng said, "Newsline Express fully capitalises on the synergy between KCR's massive passenger base, its advance information distribution platform, superb CABLE TV news content and i-CABLE's comprehensive airtime sales expertise. It is a truly win-win-win new service."

He said: "Newsline Express is another major step in i-CABLE's on-going strategy in breaking through media and geographical boundaries to expand its business beyond the conventional residential and commercial markets to multiple media platforms."

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Tien said technical trial of the Newsline Express has completed. On-screen trial runs will be conducted in stages on KCR trains starting tomorrow (July 8) and the service is expected to be fully operational by August.

"Compare to similar media on other modes of public transport, the most unique aspect of KCRC's system is its capability of content updating while the trains are in operation, making it possible for passengers to receive the most updated information," said Mr. Tien.

"Apart from dispatching service and emergency information, such a system is most suitable for displaying the latest news and financial information," he added

Mr Tien further said: "Both the KCRC and the HKCNE are confident that the new service will be well received by the passengers and the advertisers."

Also addressing the ceremony, HKCNE General Manager Mr. Samuel Tsang, said: "As a brand new out-of-home news medium, Newsline Express will bring to KCR passengers the value-added service of non-stop current news from all over the world throughout the day."

"Furthermore, upon the successful completion of trials by the KCRC, instant news ticker in text format will be displayed simultaneously on screen to further enhance the service by September," Mr. Tsang said.

"The million passengers on KCR's East, West and Ma On Shan Rails each day are target audience not to be neglected by advertisers. Furthermore, KCR is an important link between the Mainland and Hong Kong, carrying an increasing number of visitors from China under the individual tourist scheme, particularly with the imminent opening of Disneyland, I have no doubt that Newsline Express will become an effective marketing medium," he added.

About i-CABLE Communications Limited
i-CABLE Communications Limited is Hong Kong's leading fully integrated communications company that owns and operates one of the territory's two near-universal telecommunications networks. It provides pay television and broadband Internet access service, and creates its own multi-media content. Its mission is to connect the people of Hong Kong with its growing portfolio of information, entertainment and telecommunications services to enhance their lifestyles.

About Hong Kong Cable News Express Limited
Hong Kong Cable News Express Limited (HKCNE) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of i-CABLE Communications Limited. It is the exclusive commercial airtime sales distributor and content provider of KCR's Newsline Express providing update CABLE TV News contents to over 1 million passengers daily on East Rail, West Rail and Ma On Shan Rail, offering a quality outdoor audio visual news platform to the public.


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i-CABLE Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Stephen Ng gave a speech at the celebration

 

Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation Chairman, Mr. Michael Tien gave a speech at the celebration ceremony.

 

HKCNE General Manager, Mr. Samuel Tsang gave a speech at the celebration ceremony.

 

(From Left) HKCNE General Manager, Mr. Samuel Tsang, i-CABLE Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Stephen Ng, Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation Chairman, Mr. Michael Tien and Director - Property, KCRC, Mr. Daniel Lam tossed for the launch of commercial airtime sales on KCR's Newsline Express.