Outlets abound for MIP's Asia programming: inter-Asian programming sales set the tone, but some major international deals are signed. (International Marketplace for Buyers and Sellers of Television Programs)

If there was a theme at this year's MIP' Asia convention in Hong Kong, it was regional consolidation and high expectations for the escalation of Asia's digital DTH rollout.

Buyers in all sectors looked for Asian product to place on Asian networks. Asia's major terrestrial networks--57 of them in 13 countries, plus 900 in China--were also in a mood to buy and sell Asian programing, while using Western products as "make-weights" to bulk up their schedules.

According to Swapna Vora, a buyer from the Asia Television Network (ATN) satellite broadcaster in Bombay: "It's easy to purchase international products at these shows, but to purchase relevant Asian …