26 March 2009, HONG KONG – The latest channel brands from SPE Networks – Asia (SPENA), AXN BEYOND and Sony Entertainment Television (SET), are set to expand reach in Hong Kong as both join AXN and Animax in a four-channel launch on the Basic Tier of Hong Kong pay-TV platform, TVB Pay Vision, on 1 April 2009.
The new carriage deal with TVB Pay Vision brings SPENA’s quartet of channels to a total of four pay-TV operators in Hong Kong, the others being PCCW’s nowTV which also has all four linear channels; as well as CABLE TV and Hong Kong Broadband Network’s bbTV, both of which have AXN and Animax.
Bringing brand new entertainment choices to TVB Pay Vision customers, AXN BEYOND (Channel 23) offers supernatural, fantasy, mystery and horror programs; while SET (Channel 21) serves up female-skewed entertainment.
Both new channels hail from the same stable of channels as anime and youth entertainment channel Animax (Channel 24), and flagship action and adventure English entertainment channel AXN (Channel 22), which are currently the number one and two top-rated international channels respectively, in Hong Kong, based on ratings at primetime (6pm – 1am, Source: CSM Hong Kong).
Said Ricky Ow, Senior Vice President and General Manager, SPE Networks – Asia, “The SPENA portfolio offers four very different entertainment destinations. With the carriage of all four channels on TVB Pay Vision, Hong Kong viewers will be able to benefit not only in terms of a wider variety of content available, but also from the attractive packages offered.”
He continued, “This launch also marks another important step in our efforts to expand the reach of our two newer channel brands, AXN BEYOND and SET, which are already available in more than 600,000 homes, on eight platforms across four countries in Asia.”
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About SPE NETWORKS – ASIA
Established in 1997 as the Asia headquarters and based in Singapore, SPE Networks – Asia operates a total of six channel brands in the region, all wholly-owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Its portfolio of six channel brands include four ad-supported 24/7 channels and two movies-on-demand channels.
AXN is a leading international television destination among young adults aged 18-34, delivering adrenaline-packed action and adventure entertainment through top rated action series, blockbuster features, adventure-reality programs and AXN original productions. AXN is seen in 60 countries across Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. AXN in Asia is available to more than 80 million households across 23 countries, including over 40 million households on time-block basis in China. Visit the website for more information: www.axn-asia.com .
A spin-off channel from AXN, AXN BEYOND is the destination channel for “out of the ordinary” content, with a program line-up that includes drama series, movies and animations, across proven genres such as sci-fi and fantasy, horror and suspense, paranormal and supernatural. AXN Beyond was launched first in January 2008 in the Philippines on SkyCable, and is now also available in Singapore, Hong Kong and Cambodia. Visit www.axnbeyond-asia.com for more information.
Launched in 2004, Animax is Asia’s first youth brand specializing in the fastest growing youth entertainment genre – Japanese animation. Animax is the channel of choice for youth trendsetters, image-conscious, tech-savvy young adults and individuals seeking a unique entertainment experience. It offers a dynamic line-up of not only the highest-rated, most popular anime programs as well as shows never before seen outside of Japan, but also original productions, music and technology-lifestyle programs that are exclusive to Animax Asia. Animax Asia reaches over 22 million households across 20 countries in Asia, and is set to become a leading iconic brand synonymous with popular youth culture. Visit these websites for more information: www.animax-asia.com, www.animax-taiwan.com , www.animax-hk.com , www.animaxindia.com and www.animaxtv.co.kr .
Sony Entertainment Television (SET) is an English entertainment channel devoted to serving the interest of discerning, urban career women. This trendsetting channel provides smart entertainment – sexy, chic, sophisticated and witty shows – with strong female leads and female-driven content, and features a variety of program genres such as fashion, lifestyle, drama, comedy and reality. SET is currently available in Singapore, Hong Kong and Cambodia. More information can be found at www.set-singapore.com and www.set-asia.com .
PIX and PIX Thriller are two on-demand movie channels featuring the best movie blockbusters from Sony Pictures. PIX offers a wide selection of movies ranging from romance, comedy and action to mystery, horror and drama; while PIX Thriller serves up some spine-tingling and adrenaline-pumping action movies and thrillers. Both channels are currently available in Singapore on SingTel’s mioTV platform.
For more information, please contact:
Madison Communications
Jimmy Wu
Assistant Account Manager
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jimmy@madisonmission.com
Catherine Tang
Assistant Account Manager
(852) 2881 8790/ 6680 4114
cat@madisonmission.com