For Immediate Release
Rides on Rapid Broadband Development
Hong Kong, March 11, 2002 - TOM.COM LIMITED ("TOM", stock code: 8001) is pleased to announce on behalf of its 50%-owned subsidiary, Shanghai Maya Online Broadband Network Company Ltd (Shanghai Maya), the launch of "China Interactive TV", a unique broadband TV service, targeting the China market and audiences around the world who want to learn more about China.
Shanghai Maya's parent company, Shanghai Maya Investment Ltd (a mainland enterprise), has jointly set up Inter-Continental Network TV Company Ltd with mainland partner Inter-Continental Publishing Ltd. China State Council Information Office and the Broadcasting and Film Bureau have extended their full support to "China Interactive TV," which is carried on the website www.cnitv.com.
TOM is honoured to have senior Chinese government officials participate at the launch ceremony. They are Mr. Guo Changjian, Head of State Council Information Office Three Bureaux and Mr. Sun Rongbo, Head of Propaganda Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security. Head of the State Council Information Office, Mr. Zhao Qizheng, who cannot make the trip to Hong Kong, sent his congratulations to mark the launch.
Shanghai Maya cooperates with Internet service providers such as China Telecom, China Netcom and Great Wall Broadband in the launch of "China Interactive TV", which now reaches 300,000 households in China.
TOM is optimistic in the potential of "China Interactive TV" as the number of Internet users in China is expected to reach 200 million in three years' time.
Currently "China Interactive TV" has nine channels, including News, Police Affairs, Financial News, Military, Travel, Entertainment, China Today, Online Game and an English channel.
Separately, Shanghai Maya also secures a major breakthrough in TV programming. "China Police Report", commissioned by the Ministry of Public Security and distributed by Shanghai Maya, is a huge success. The report is currently broadcast on 130 local televisions across China. It is scheduled to be broadcast on China Central Television (CCTV) everyday during prime time by June. Apart from distributing "China Police Report", Shanghai Maya also acts as the advertising agent for the programme.
On the basis of the success of "China Police Report", TOM is now exploring cooperation with a world-renowned China crime writer, Peter May. Mr. May has written four best-selling thrillers, based on crimes in China. TOM is exploring the possibility of turning his China crime stories into TV programmes or drama series.
Meanwhile, TOM's 50%-owned Shanghai Maya Cultural Transmission Company Limited, a leading outdoor media company in Shanghai, is recording solid business growth. Shanghai Maya currently has 3,000 bicycle shelters in Shanghai.
TOM's firm foothold in Shanghai, China's economic and financial hub, offers strategic value to the overall development of the TOM Group. This is particularly important in the wake of China's WTO entry.
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For press enquiries:
Rachel Chan,
TOM.COM LIMITED
Tel: (852) 2121 7810
Fax: (852) 2127 7576
Email: rachelc@hk.tom.com