now TV and Hairun Media & Entertainment jointly expand into overseas markets
First to launch now Hairun Channel to build a mainland TV series channel tailored for Hong Kong viewers
HONGKONG, November 23, 2011 — now TV and Hairun Media & Entertainment Group Limited (“Hairun Media”), one of the largest privately-owned TV series production companies in China, today announced the formation of a joint venture company to launch now Hairun Channel (Ch. 105) and develop overseas market for Chinese TV dramas. now Hairun Channel is a drama series channel broadcasting high quality production of Hairun Media, which will be edited and packaged by now TV to suit the taste of Hong Kong and overseas Chinese audience. now Hairun Channel also represents an important milestone of the two companies’ expansion to overseas Chinese markets in Southeast Asia, North America and other parts of the world.
now Hairun is set to be launched on January 30, 2012. The new channel will primarily broadcast a selection of popular TV Series produced by Hairun Media, featuring renowned artistes from mainland China and Hong Kong, including “Jade Goddess of Mercy”, “The VI Group of Fatal Case Series”, “Drawing Sword”, “Heaven’s Applause” and other popular TV series. The TV series will be broadcast in Putonghua with traditional Chinese subtitles. In addition, to suit the preferences and tastes of local audience, now TV will also produce commentaries and interviews with local artistes for some of the drama titles.
Ms. Janice Lee, PCCW’s Managing Director of TV and New Media, said, “Hairun Media is one of the most renowned TV series production companies in mainland and we are proud to be its partner. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for now TV in entering the international market. now TV is devoted to bringing high quality content to Hong Kong and overseas Chinese audience. We look forward to working with other strategic partners in introducing more quality Chinese content to overseas Chinese communities around the world.”
Mr. Zhao Zhijiang, Chief Executive Officer of Hairun Media, said, “now TV is one of the largest pay-TV service providers in Hong Kong. We are delighted to cooperate with now TV in introducing our high quality TV series to the Hong Kong audience. We believe that this media platform will allow us to promote our TV series to overseas markets and to also expand our distribution channels effectively. We will strive to capture business opportunities in the new media market and overseas markets so as to diversify our revenue streams and to enhance Hairun’s brand awareness in overseas markets.”
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About PCCW Limited
PCCW Limited (SEHK:0008) is a Hong Kong-based company which holds interests in telecommunications, media, IT solutions, property development and investment, and other businesses.
The Company is the holding company of HKT, Hong Kong’s premier telecommunications service provider. HKT meets the needs of the Hong Kong public and local and international businesses with a wide range of services including local telephony, local data and broadband, international telecommunications, mobile, and other telecommunications businesses such as customer premises equipment sale, outsourcing, consulting, and contact centers.
PCCW also owns a fully integrated multimedia and entertainment group in Hong Kong, which includes a highly successful IPTV operation, now TV. As the provider of Hong Kong’s first quadruple-play experience, PCCW offers a range of innovative media content and services across four delivery platforms – fixed-line, broadband Internet access, TV and mobile.
Also wholly-owned by the Group, PCCW Solutions is a leading information technology outsourcing and business process outsourcing provider in Hong Kong and mainland China.
In addition, PCCW holds a majority interest in Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited, and overseas investments including the wholly-owned UK Broadband Limited. To learn more about PCCW, please visit www.pccw.com.
About now TV
now TV is one of the world’s largest commercial deployments of IPTV and Hong Kong’s largest pay-TV provider. It is delivered by PCCW Media, the multimedia and entertainment subsidiary of PCCW Limited. PCCW also holds interests in telecommunications, IT solutions, property development and investment, and other businesses.
now TV serves Hong Kong with more than 190 channels of local, Asian and international programming, including premium content such as Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A, English FA Cup, NBA, French Open, US Open, ATP World Tour, BWF Super Series, World Snooker Tour, F1 and PGA Tour. In addition, now TV is both a leading producer of news, sports and infotainment programming and a provider of a wide range of interactive services. now TV can be enjoyed on the eye devices provided by HKT, the telecommunications business of PCCW. Select now TV content and interactive applications can also be accessed via HKT’s 3G mobile network and broadband service. To learn more about now TV, please visit www.now.com.
About Hairun Media
Established in 2001, Hairun Media is principally engaged in the TV series production and distribution business. The Group is the largest privately-owned TV Series production company in China in terms of total episodes produced from 2008 to 2010. The Group has produced over 80 TV series comprising more than 2,500 episodes and covering a broad range of genres – including military, legend, romance and other popular genres – broadcast on key TV stations in China, through new media channels and to overseas markets. The Group’s TV Series, producers, scriptwriters and artists featured in its TV series received over 40 national awards from 2008 to 2010, including the Flying Apsaras Award and the Golden Eagle Award, which are deemed the highest honors in the China’s TV industry.
For further information, please contact:
Ivan Ho
Group Communications Manager
PCCW
Tel: +852 2883 8747
Email: ivan.wy.ho@pccw.com
Linda Pui
Hairun Media & Entertainment
Hill & Knowlton Asia Ltd.
Tel: +852 2894 6278 / 9700 0178
Email: linda.pui@hillandknowlton.com.hk