Hong-Joo Ahn VP Content Development and Acquisition/ Media Division KT Corporation Korea

What are your acquisition strategies? What genres are you looking for?

As a multiple platform operator, we ideally need contents for cross platform use. Major media platforms are IPTV, Wibro (wireless broadband), Nespot and Internet portal. Among those various platforms, KT has launched or is scheduled to launch in the near future, IPTV is the most strategic media platform, scheduled to be launched next year once regulatory issues are complete. On demand service will be launched soon, before the linear broadcasting. Currently, we focus on acquiring content for IP Vod service, but simultaneously we pursue cross platform deals due to emerging new digital media. For on-demand service at this beginning stage, we need all the basic entertainment categories and genres such as movies, animations, TV shows, drama's, music, docs and so on. We also look for interactive and HD contents for IPTV, which is differentiated from existing cable TV.

Can you give us several titles of domestic / international programming that you acquired this year?

As mentioned above, we are in the middle of negotiations to acquire major domestic and foreign programming, including major entertainment and educational categories. Most of domestic titles and some foreign titles will be included in the acquisition.

How many hours of programming will you acquire this year? Do you have an increase or decrease in your acquisition budget in comparison with last year?

It will be finalized soon, but the approximate number of titles will be more than 20,000 hours for the commercial launch of IP VOD service. For other platforms such as wireless NSEPOT and Internet portal, we keep increasing the number of titles.

What programs will be in demand at ATF 2006?

We are not pursuing any specific titles at ATF this year, because some of the strategic partnerships have been already made with major content providers.