After over 26 years of services, Disney Channel Taiwan on CH23 announced late last month plans to terminate operations in Taiwan starting Jan. 1 next year. The decision was made to make way for Disney+, a “video on demand” over-the-top streaming platform that is set to hit the Taiwanese market in November.
The Fox Networks Group’s Taiwan branch is also set to close five of its TV channels on Oct. 1. The five channels include Fox Crime, Fox Family Movies, FX, Channel V and Nat Geo People, which are currently available via Chunghwa Telecom Co’s multimedia-on-demand (MOD) or cable TV services. Its Fox News Channel is going to end on Jan. 1, too.
As foreign channels withdraw from Taiwan, Central News Agency launched TaiwanPlus (Taiwan+), a new English-language streaming platform on Aug. 30. Funded by the Ministry of Culture, the free video platform is the country’s first streaming platform targeting the English-speaking audience, as it tries to promote Taiwan to the world.
Photo courtesy of Disney 照片:迪士尼提供
(Eddy Chang, Taipei Times)
來台已超過二十六年,迪士尼頻道(二十三頻道)於上月底宣布,將自明年一月一日起停止營運,以讓位給線上平台「Disney+」,該「隨選視訊」線上影音平台預計在十一月進軍台灣市場。
而福斯傳媒集團的台灣分公司亦宣布,將自十月一日起停播旗下的五個頻道。這些頻道包括︰福斯警匪頻道、福斯家庭電影頻道、FX、Channel V國際娛樂台、國家地理悠人頻道,他們目前是透過中華電信MOD平台或有線電視系統收看,此外福斯新聞頻道將自明年一月一日起停播。
隨著多家國外頻道將退出台灣,中央社推出的全英語串流平台「Taiwan+」則在八月三十日開播。該免費影音平台由文化部資助,是台灣第一個針對英語人士推出的本土平台,希望藉此將台灣行銷至全世界。
(台北時報張聖恩)
A: Taiwanese-language pop singer Jody Chiang is finally staging a comeback after having “turned off the microphone” for nine years. B: Yeah, she’s set to perform for the National Day celebration at the Taipei Dome this Saturday. A: As the best Taiwanese-language singer, it would be a big loss if she continued her hiatus. B: Recently, Chiang revealed that she quit singing in 2015 due to cancer. A: That’s shocking. But it’s great to see her healthy and able to turn the mic back on again. A: 台語歌后江蕙「封麥」9年後,終於即將復開唱了。 B: 對啊她本週六將參加國慶晚會,在大巨蛋開唱。 A: 江蕙可是最棒的台語歌手,如果不唱歌太可惜了。 B: 她最近才透露,其實2015年是因為罹癌才會「封麥」。 A: 真是令人震驚!能再看到她健康地「開麥」太好啦。 (By Eddy Chang,
A: Apart from Taiwanese-language pop diva Jody Chiang’s comeback, South Korean girl group (G)I-dle is also performing in Taiwan this weekend. B: I know. They have concerts at the Taipei Arena on Saturday and Sunday. A: Actually, to meet their fans’ high demand, they’ve added one more show on Friday. B: They’re even adding a show? That shows how popular they are. A: My favorite group member is Taiwan’s Susan Yeh, known by her stage name “Shuhua.” Let’s go cheer her on. A: 本週末除了江蕙復出,南韓熱門女團(G)I-dle也將開唱唷。 B: 我知道,他們本週六、日將在小巨蛋開唱。 A: 應粉絲的要求,他們本週五還會加場。 B: 還加場?不愧是韓流人氣女團。 A: 我最喜歡台灣團員葉舒華!我們快去幫她加油吧。 (By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times/台北時報張聖恩)
Grenada’s Underwater Sculpture Park is a great example of how art can be combined with environmental conservation. __1__ on the ocean floor of the Caribbean Sea, this aquatic gallery was the brainchild of British sculptor and ecologist Jason deCaires Taylor in 2006. The park features sculptures that function as man-made coral reefs, with holes and shelters to attract marine life, thus forming a strikingly beautiful __2__. The sculptures are placed in a way that diverts visitors from nearby natural reefs. This creative approach to ecological preservation demonstrates how art can inspire, educate, and contribute to the sustainability of our environment. The
City life moves fast, and escalators are a lifesaver for busy commuters. __1__ It is widely believed that this practice keeps traffic flowing smoothly and avoids congestion. While on the road, drivers of slower vehicles are required to remain within the outside lane so that those traveling at faster speeds may pass in the inside lane. Similar to traffic lanes that separate vehicles driving at different speeds, this convention on escalators allows for both efficiency and courtesy. __2__ This system reflects an unspoken understanding that facilitates shared use of the space. However, the city of Nagoya, Japan, has