Animax Secures Carriage with TrueVisions in Thailand

SINGAPORE: SPE Networks—Asia has secured a deal with Media Resource Management (MRM) and Mass Communications Organization of Thailand (MCOT) to bring the youth entertainment service Animax to all TrueVisions pay-TV subscribers in Thailand.

The anime network launches on TrueVisisions on November 1, reaching a subscriber base of more than 1.6 million in Thailand. The channel will be offered as a basic service, together with local free-to-air channels. Animax will air shows such as InuYasha and Hayate the Combat Butler in Thai-language dubs and subtitles from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Tanawat Wansom, the president of MCOT, said, “Animax is positioned to be one of the significant driver channels of MCOT’s emerging pay-TV and new-media platforms. It is a leading youth channel in Asia, and we are proud to be part of this joint project.”

Bernard Sumayao, the CEO of MRM, commented, “This collaboration signifies the faith of all parties in the future of the pay-TV industry in Thailand. The youth segment, in particular, is a very dynamic and challenging one and we are all confident that the Animax channel will prove to be a pillar of youth-oriented programming and a positive influence to its viewers.”

Ricky Ow, the senior VP and general manager of SPE Networks—Asia, added, “The ground-breaking distribution deal represents a significant milestone for Animax. The channel now reaches a very sizeable and important segment of the youth and young adult audience in Thailand.

“With the best anime and the latest live-action Asian and US entertainment shows, Animax has a good programming mix to capture and hold viewers, especially if we offer a relevant and localised viewing experience. We will do so by providing for the first time, a daily Thai-dubbed programming hour during evening prime time, in addition to Thai subtitling for key and popular shows on Animax.”