Shwe Than Lwin Media’s U Kyaw Win and CNN’s Greg Beitchman
CNN INTERNATIONAL AND SKYNET MYANMAR ANNOUNCE HISTORIC COLLABORATION
Yangon, May 9, 2016 – CNN International Commercial today announced a historic news affiliate and consultation agreement between Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc., the distributor of CNN International in the Asia Pacific region, and Shwe Than Lwin Media Co., Ltd., (known as ‘SkyNet Myanmar’) to help the company launch the country’s first 24-hour local language news network, Channel One.
As part of this multi-year agreement, SkyNet will receive detailed consultation and comprehensive training from CNN on all aspects of launching a news channel, including newsgathering and production, digital and technical operations, program development and best-practice management. Once Channel One launches, SkyNet will continue to receive on-going training from CNN at CNN’s Asia headquarters in Hong Kong, its global U.S. headquarters in Atlanta, and on-site in Yangon.
As part of the agreement, Channel One will also broadcast CNN content and programming in local Burmese language, another first for the country. The alliance also includes supporting SkyNet in its development of a complementary Channel One news website.
Vice President, Content Sales and Partnerships, CNN International Commercial, Greg Beitchman: “Myanmar is such an exciting market for growth and we couldn’t be happier to align with SkyNet in its efforts to lead the transformation of the media landscape in the country. Launching the first local 24 hour news channel is a significant milestone and it’s our privilege to be affiliated with an organization that aspires to CNN’s vision and values. A comprehensive and tailored training program will be put together to ensure the channel offers the best in class in news content in Myanmar.”
Chairman, Shwe Than Lwin Media Co., U Kyaw Win: “CNN has been synonymous with 24 hour news for more than three decades. As the world’s leader in news, there is absolutely no one better to learn from. Through this strategic affiliation with CNN we are giving Channel One the very best chance to succeed by delivering a first-class service that gives the people of Myanmar the best of local and international news.”
The alliance between CNN International and SkyNet Myanmar is part of a strategic effort by CNN International Commercial’s Content Sales and Partnerships Group to support the development of high quality journalism, and grow the reach of CNN’s content by working with other leading media organisations.
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Photo attached: Greg Beitchman, Vice President, Content Sales and Partnerships, CNN International Commercial and U Kyaw Win, Chairman, Shwe Than Lwin Media Co.
Media contacts:
Penelope Heath / Ingrid Hsu
Tel: +852 3128 3538 / +852 3128 3568
E-mail: penelope.heath@cnn.com / ingrid.hsu@cnn.com
About CNN International
CNN’s portfolio of news and information services is available in seven different languages across all major TV, digital and mobile platforms reaching more than 420 million households around the globe, including over 72 million across the Asia Pacific region. CNN International is the number one international TV news channel according to all major media surveys across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific region and Latin America and recently expanded its US presence with its launch on CNNgo. CNN Digital is a leading network for online news, mobile news and social media. CNN is at the forefront of digital innovation and continues to invest heavily in expanding its digital global footprint, with a suite of award-winning digital properties and a range of strategic content partnerships, commercialised through a strong data-driven understanding of audience behaviours. Over the years CNN has won multiple prestigious awards around the world for its journalism. CNN has 41 editorial offices and more than 1,100 affiliates worldwide through CNN Newsource. CNN International is part of Turner, a Time Warner company.
About Turner Asia Pacific
Turner Asia Pacific creates and distributes award-winning brands throughout Asia Pacific. In the region, Turner Asia Pacific runs 63 channels in 13 languages in 37 countries, including CNN International, CNNj, CNN, HLN, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Boomerang, POGO, Toonami, World Heritage Channel, Warner TV, Oh!K, TCM Turner Classic Movies, truTV, MondoTV, TABI Channel, and HBO and WB in South Asia. It manages the business of Pay- and Free-TV-channels, as well as Internet-based services, and oversees commercial partnerships with various third-party media ventures; it teams with Warner Bros. and HBO to leverage Time Warner’s global reach. Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc. (“Turner Asia Pacific”) is a Time Warner company.
About SkyNet
SkyNet is Myanmar’s leading Pay-TV television network with one hundred and twenty four channels for the comprehensive offering of Movies, Kids, Knowledge, Lifestyle, News, Entertainment, Music, Sports and Local Programming. Launched in November 2010, SkyNet brand is DTH Television Service provider owned by SHWE THAN LWIN MEDIA CO., LTD. that has 100% signal coverage within Myanmar and recognized for its motto “SkyNet for The People”. With the outreach of television signal, SkyNet was able to unfold unprecedented television experience to Myanmar people from all walks of life. In addition to the wide-ranging category of international channels, SkyNet offers twenty seven internally programmed channels such as Cartoon, World Movies, Asian Movies, HD Movies, Myanmar Movies, Myanmar Arts, International Drama, World Drama, Music, Knowledge, Education, Health, Agri/ Livestock, Home, Tine Yin Tar, Teen, Hadaya, Hluttaw and Buddha channels. Sports fans can also enjoy from seven 24 hours sports channels covering UEFA Champions League, English Premier League, Spain La Liga, Italy Serie A, France Ligue1 and special events such as UEFA Euro 2012, London Olympic 2012, FIFA World Cup Brasil 2014, UEFA Euro 2016 and Rio Olympic 2016 are all exclusively available only on SkyNet platform. In addition, since 2011, SkyNet launches the one and only 24 hours domestic news channel in Myanmar called Up to Date.