Sony Pictures And Nippon TV Plan Pay TV Channel In Hong Kong And Southeast Asia

(RTTNews) - Sony Pictures Television or SPT Networks and Nippon Television Network Corporation or Nippon TV announced their agreement to form a joint venture to launch GEM Asia, a new general entertainment channel for audiences across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong. The pay TV channel will feature first run and exclusive dramas, comedies and variety entertainment shows from Japan as well as other North Asian territories.

GEM Asia, which will be operated by the joint venture, will have access to more than 500 hours of Japanese content per year exclusively from Nippon TV. SPT Networks will be primarily responsible for distribution and advertising sales for the channel.

GEM Asia adds to SPT Networks' considerable presence in the region. The portfolio includes ONE, the No. 1 South Korean entertainment destination across Southeast Asia, which has delivered more than 50 percent growth over the past four years in key markets like Singapore and Malaysia; as well as Japanese anime channel Animax, which is especially popular among youth and young adults. Both channels are available as over-the-top platforms in select markets and actively engage fans throughout the region with large-scale events featuring high profile talent from key shows. GEM Vietnam, which is also part of the Asian channels portfolio, will continue to be wholly-owned and operated by SPT Networks.

SPT Networks is also a pay TV broadcaster in the English general entertainment space with top-rated AXN, in addition to Sony Channel and beTV; and operates joint-venture channels Baby TV and Vision 2 in Indonesia with Dori Media Group.