Channel To Feature A Mix Of Popular Programming From Around The Region
GEM Marks SPT Networks’ Second Asian Channel Offering Following ONE
SINGAPORE (October 21, 2013) — Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks announced today that it will launch a brand new channel, GEM, which will feature popular general entertainment content from across Asia. The all-new Asian channel is set to launch in January 2014.
GEM is the second Asian content channel offering from Sony Pictures Television Networks, who launched ONE in October 2010. ONE, which offers the latest in Korean dramas, K-pop variety and music programs, is one of the top-rated pay-TV channels in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
The launch of GEM marks SPT Networks’ second channel in Vietnam. It also operates AXN, which is currently available in SD and HD on all major Vietnamese TV platforms across the country.
Vietnam is one of the fastest growing pay-TV markets in the region. According to a recent study by Media Partners Asia, pay-TV subscribers are projected to grow from 4.8 million in 2012 to 8.1 million by 2020, with both cable and DTH remaining critical growth platforms in Vietnam. Pay-TV advertising is also anticipated to grow during the same time period, from US$108 million to US$209 million .
“While there is an increasingly strong interest in Vietnam for scripted and non-scripted Asian general entertainment content, programming is available only intermittently on various platforms,” says Hui Keng (HK) Ang, senior vice president, Business Operations, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia. “With GEM we are bringing Vietnamese audiences the best and most popular shows from across Asia on one dedicated channel.”
GEM adds to SPT Networks’ considerable presence in Asia, where it currently offers five wholly-owned pay-TV channels — AXN, Sony Entertainment Television, beTV, ONE, and Animax. In addition, SPT Networks has a joint-venture stake in the Indonesian telenovela channel Televiva, which it operates with Dori Media Group.
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ABOUT SONY PICTURES TELEVISION
Sony Pictures Television (http://www.sonypicturestelevision.com), a Sony Pictures Entertainment company, is one of the television industry’s leading content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre, around the world and for a multitude of platforms. In addition to one of the industry’s largest libraries of award-winning feature films, television shows and formats, Sony Pictures Television (SPT) boasts a current program slate that includes top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms. SPT has 19 wholly-owned or joint venture production companies in 13 countries outside the U.S. and also maintains offices in 33 countries. SPT’s worldwide television networks portfolio includes 124 channel feeds available in 159 countries, reaching more than 840 million households worldwide. SPT also creates original content for and manages SPE’s premium video website, Crackle. Additionally, SPT owns production company Embassy Row and is a part owner of cable channel Game Show Network (GSN), 3D channel 3net, premier horror/thriller website and VOD service FEARnet and national U.S media sales company ITN Networks, Inc. SPT advertiser sales is one of the premier national advertising sales companies and handles the commercial inventory in SPT’s syndicated series as well as in U.S. digital businesses including FEARnet, DrOz.com and PlayStation.
CONTACT:
Michael Maney
Director, Communications
michael_maney@spe.sony.com
+1-310-244-8834
Calvin Wong
Manager, Communications
calvin_wong@spe.sony.com
+65 6622 4203 / +65 97626456