SINGAPORE (July 7, 2016) Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks, Asia announced today the appointment of Nirav Haji as Vice President, Affiliate Sales.

Based in Singapore and reporting to Ang Hui Keng, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Mr. Haji will lead the sales, distribution and expansion of the networks’ five entertainment channels across the region: AXN, Sony Channel, Animax, ONE and GEM.

“As a leader in providing premium Asian and English entertainment, SPT Networks, Asia is set to strengthen its portfolio across the region in new markets and via new platforms. Nirav’s depth of experience together with his strong industry relationships will ensure Sony’s continued growth, while making our channels available to meet the changing demands of our viewers,” said Mr. Ang.

Mr. Haji has over 25 years’ of experience within the broadcast industry having worked in leadership roles at Discovery Asia, Fox International and Turner where his primary focus was on networks and content distribution.

“I’m thrilled to be joining SPT Networks, Asia at a time of exciting growth for both the company and the industry as a whole. My focus will be to further enhance and grow our existing partnerships in Asia while identifying key opportunities that bring Sony’s vivid world of entertainment to viewers in new and exciting ways,” said Mr. Haji.

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Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia
Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks, Asia is a leading operator of ad-supported channels including English general entertainment powerhouses AXN and Sony Channel; and Asian content giants Animax, GEM and ONE. SPT Networks’ portfolio collectively features the biggest and best titles from Korea, Japan and the U.S that are first run, exclusive and aired close to the original telecast. Taking the content beyond the screen, SPT Networks immerses viewers in its premium entertainment via large-scale festivals, celebrity fan meets and social platform conversations. In Asia, SPT Networks’ portfolio is available across 19 territories and in over 42 million homes.
www.SonyPicturesTelevision.com

Media Contact
Jennifer Doig / Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia
Jennifer_doig@spe.sony.com / +65 6622 4278

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Premieres First Original Production: “We are Asia – Dean Fujioka & Friends”

Set to Broadcast Nippon TV’s “The Music Day 2016 – Beginning of Summer” Live from Japan on July 2

SINGAPORE (June 29, 2016) – GEM, the joint-venture entertainment channel between Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks and Nippon Television Network Corporation (Nippon TV), announced today the expansion of its distribution to Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore, making the channel available to viewers on over 10 pay-TV platforms across six markets in Asia.

Since its launch in 2015, GEM has carved a niche in the premium Asian entertainment space offering first-run and exclusive dramas, comedies and variety entertainment shows from Japan and other northeast Asian markets. Earlier this month, the channel made its foray into original production with the global premiere of “We are Asia – Dean Fujioka & Friends”, a five-part entertainment documentary series featuring Dean Fujioka and rising star Shuhei Nomura, rock band WEAVER, and video projection dance sensation Siro-A.

Ang Hui Keng, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia, said, “GEM is gaining traction in Asia as it cements its position as the top destination for high quality, express content from Japan and northeast Asia. We’re focused on taking GEM beyond the screen and into the lives of fans across the region via talent tours, local filming and fan meets. Our new series, ‘We are Asia – Dean Fujioka & Friends’, marks the first original series for GEM, and will pave the way for more localized content in the future.”

Atsushi Hatayama, President, International Business Development, Nippon TV, said, “We are happy to know that GEM and its lineup of compelling content have been well-received by our viewers and pay-TV platforms across the region. We are looking forward to welcoming new viewers in the Philippines and Indonesia where Japanese content has not been shown before on this scale. The Singaporeans have a great appreciation for Japanese content, and can now watch it without delay. We are dedicated to bringing express telecast shows to GEM so viewers should look forward to catching the latest shows close to the Japan broadcast.”

In addition to the channel’s first original production, viewers can look forward to Japan’s hottest music event of the year,  Nippon TV’s “The Music Day 2016 – Beginning of Summer”, which will be broadcast live and exclusive for the first time on GEM from 5:00pm until 10:00pm on Saturday, July 2, 2016. This annual music event brings together Japan’s top artists in a festival that celebrates the very best of J-pop.

Fans of Japanese and northeast Asian entertainment can now enjoy GEM on the following pay-TV platforms in Asia:

• Indonesia: Indovision, MyRepublic, Nexmedia, Skynindo and Transvision
• The Philippines: Via ACCION’s distribution network of provincial cable affiliates
• Singapore: Launching August 1, 2016 on Singtel TV

GEM is already available on PPCTV in Cambodia, nowTV in Hong Kong and TrueVisions in Thailand.

Jennifer Doig
Executive Director, Marketing & Communications, English Content
Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia

10 Changi Business Park Central 2, #03-01

Hansapoint@CBP, Singapore 486030

T: 65 6622 4278  M: 65 9852 1459

a Sony Company

www.SonyPicturesTelevision.com

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