Endemol Enters into Malaysian JV with Astro

LONDON/KUALA LUMPUR: Astro Entertainment and Endemol Asia have teamed up for a joint venture that is aimed at the creation and development of new programming for the Malaysian market. 

The join venture will have access to Endemol’s global portfolio, looking to bring the projects to local broadcasters. It will also develop local Malaysian content for the global market. This covers drama, entertainment, reality and game shows. The managing director role of the new JV is being temporarily filled by Arjen van Mierlo, Endemol’s CEO of Asian operations, however senior appointments are expected to be made soon. 

Mierlo commented: “This partnership underlines Endemol’s commitment to Asia, a region that we regard as offering significant growth opportunities. Malaysia has a vibrant and rapidly expanding TV market and joining forces with a broadcaster of Astro’s status puts us in an extremely strong position here. We are excited and proud to be working with them.”

Zainir Aminullah, the executive director of Astro Entertainment, said, “This is an exciting development for both AESB and Endemol, reflecting yet another ‘best-in-class’ partnership that will generate bold and innovative output. As a leading content provider in the region, AESB is continuously evolving its programming proposition and as a world leading content creator Endemol is the ideal partner for us. We are looking forward to producing Endemol’s hit formats for the Malaysian market as well as jointly creating new IP that can travel internationally with the support of Endemol’s global distribution might.”