(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.
-End-
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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.
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