STAR Movies

Infobox TV channel
name = STAR Movies
logofile = STAR Movies.jpg
logosize =
logoalt =
launch = 1994
closed date =
share =
share as of =
share source =
owner = STAR TV
slogan = Come home to the stars
country = Hong Kong
broadcast area = Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Middle East, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar and Vietnam.
former names = BBC World (1991-1992)
replaced names = BBC World (1991-1992)
sister names = STAR Gold, STAR Chinese Movies
headquarters = Hong Kong
timeshift names =
web =
sat serv 1=Astro
(Malaysia)
sat chan 1=Channel 413
sat serv 2=Astro Nusantara
(Indonesia)
sat chan 2=Channel 65
sat serv 3=Dialog TV
(Sri Lanka)
sat chan 3=Channel 5
sat serv 4=Dream Satellite TV
(Philippines)
sat chan 4=Channel 30
sat serv 5=Tata Sky
(India)
sat chan 5=Channel 341
sat serv 6=TrueVisions
(Thailand)
sat chan 6=Channel 15
sat serv 7=Dish TV
(India)
sat chan 7=Channel 419
sat serv 8=Sky Pacific
(Fiji)
sat chan 8=Channel 14
sat serv 9=CBTV
(China)
sat chan 9=Channel 307
sat serv 10=TelkomVision
(Indonesia)
sat chan 10=Channel 105
sat serv 11=ADD
(Middle East)
sat chan 11=
sat serv 12=Indovision
(Indonesia)
sat chan 12=Channel 11
sat serv 13=Sun Direct TV
(India)
sat chan 13=Channel 97
sat serv 14=Big TV
(India)
sat chan 14=Channel 3440
sat serv 15=MRTV
(Myanmar)
sat chan 15=Channel 1
sat serv 16=STAR Select
(Middle East)
sat chan 16=
sat serv 17=Aora TV
(Indonesia)
sat chan 17=Channel 17
cable serv 1=Cablelink
(Philippines)
cable chan 1=Channel 40
cable serv 2=SkyCable
(Philippines)
cable chan 2=Channel 55 /
Channel 63 in some areas that has an Addressable Box
cable serv 3=StarHub CableTV
(Singapore)
cable chan 3=Channel 58
cable serv 4=TrueVisions
(Thailand)
cable chan 4=Channel 15
cable serv 5=First Media
(Indonesia)
cable chan 5=Channel 295
cable serv 6=Macau CATV
(Macau)
cable chan 6=Channel 40
cable serv 7=Taiwan CATV
(Taiwan)
cable chan 7=Channel 69
cable serv 8=Vietnam cable television (VCTV)
(Vietnam)

cable serv 9=Global Destiny Cable
(Philippines)
cable chan 9=Available by 2008
cable serv 10=MediaNet
(Maldives)
cable chan 10=Channel 18
cable serv 11=Hathway
(India)
cable chan 11=Channel 75
cable serv 12=United Communication Service
(Bangladesh)
cable chan 12=Channel 12
adsl serv 1= now TV
(Hong Kong)
adsl chan 1= Channel 117
adsl serv 2= IndosatM2
(Indonesia)
adsl chan 2= Channel ???|

STAR Movies is an Asian movie channel owned by STAR TV.

It features movies from American film companies such as Disney, 20th Century Fox, Columbia Pictures, Miramax Films, MGM, Universal Pictures, Canal Plus and other movie distributors. It is a Hollywood movie channel which gives a stiff competition to HBO Asia.

STAR Movies has first-run contracts for movies distributed by 20th Century Fox, Buena Vista International, MGM and Studio Canal and sub-run contracts for movies from Columbia Pictures and Universal Pictures for countries where STAR Movies is available.

It is noted for airing the hit American television series, "Lost", which is currently in its second season in India.

It is available in Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Middle East, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand.

Several commercial breaks are seen during movies in the Indian feed. The Asian feed does not have such interruptions.

Operating Channels

TAR Movies International

This beam is targeted towards Southeast Asia and China Feed. This beam is the only advertisement free version of Star Movies. Unlike the rest of the versions of Star Movies, this version also spends minimal time even for its movie promos. The channel also doesn't air movies classified 18 or above. All promos aired on this channel are in Hong Kong and Malaysia times.

This was the original Star Movies that was later re launched with total customization for the South East Asian markets. Due to the severe unpopularity of Star Movies India, in countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Star TV has officially replaced the Indian beam with the South East Asian beam in those countries. Star Movies SEA has some locally produced shows such as VIP Access, The Ticket.

This channel also holds the record of showing all 21 James Bond movies back to back and as of recent the X Men trilogy. (This fact is only endorsed by the channel's on air promos)

TAR Movies India

This beam is targeted towards India and the rest of South Asia. As of late the beam is only present in Nepal and Bhutan outside India. This beam has many advertisement breaks during films, creating an annoying viewer experience. As most Indian channels share this disadvantage, Indian viewers are forced to bear with it. The channel has higher TAM ratings in India over HBO South Asia. This is the only region where Star Movies enjoys a lead in the viewer ratings.

Star Movies India is available on all DTH platforms across India and is available as part of the Star India bouquet. It is also among the most popular English movie channels in India and carried by most cable operators in the country.

However in contrast to STAR Movies International the number of new movies premiered are comparatively less in number.

TAR Movies Middle East

This beam is targeted towards the Middle East. Movies aired on this beam are very sub-standard. The channel comes with Arabic subtitles. Since the middle east is a very culturally sensitive area, a lot of censorship is imposed on the movies. Most of the movies aired on the channel are old since the channel doesn't own the license to air most movies while they are new in the region. Due to the unpopularity of Star Movies India in Pakistan. Star TV has replaced it with the Middle East version.

TAR Movies Taiwan

This beam is targeted towards Taiwan specifically. This beam is advertisement supported but does not air many adverts like the Indian version. This is the most localized version of Star Movies, since most voice overs in promos aired are in the local language. This channel also comes with Chinese subtitles.

Trivia

*STAR Movies was the first ever pay channel in India.
*The English STAR Movies is the first movie channel to show all James Bond films.

History

STAR Movies was launched in 1994. This channel was replaced by BBC World. At that time it used to screen both English and Chinese movies and catered for the pan-Asian audience. In 1996 STAR Movies launched a separate beam for audiences in the Gulf and India, followed by STAR Movies International which was launched in 1995 for viewers in Southeast Asia and selected east Asian countries like China. Today STAR Movies has 4 channels including STAR Movies International (Southeast Asia/China Feed), STAR Movies Taiwan, STAR Movies India and STAR Movies Middle East (once tie-up with India feed, now a separate channel for viewers in Gulf region). But unlike STAR Movies India, the movies on STAR Movies Middle East are quite sub-standard.

External links

* [http://www.startv.com/movies STAR Movies International]
* [http://starmovies.indya.com STAR Movies India]
* [http://www.starselect.com/channels/movies.html STAR Movies Middle East]
* [http://www.startv.com.tw/emov/ STAR Movies Taiwan]