AXN Asia

COUNTRIES: Available throughout Asia in territories such as Taiwan, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Japan and South Korea, as well as in hotels and VIP compounds in China.

LAUNCH DATE: September 1997

OWNERSHIP: Sony Pictures Entertainment

DISTRIBUTION: AXN is an international channel brand that was started in Asia, but has since expanded to Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. It is now available in 60 countries globally. In Asia, the channel is seen in more than 82 million households across 23 countries pan-regionally, including 40 million households on a time-block basis in China.

DESCRIPTION: A leading English-language general-entertainment destination among affluent adults aged 18 to 44.

SENIOR MANAGEMENT:
Senior VP & General Manager, SPE Networks—Asia: Ricky Ow
Senior VP, Channels Management & Finance, SPE Networks—Asia: Ang Hui Keng
VP, AXN Asia: Yan-Jong Wong
VP, Affiliate Sales & Marketing, AXN Asia: Voo Chih Yeong
VP, Advertising Sales & Marketing, AXN Asia: Jack Lim

PROGRAMMING STRATEGY: Known as the "Heart of Action and Adventure," AXN delivers top-rated drama series, blockbuster films, adventure-reality and first-run lifestyle sports programs from around the world. These offerings air alongside a selection of original programming, "to provide viewers with an unparalleled entertainment experience to get stuck in," says Yan-Jong Wong, the VP of AXN Asia.

There’s around a 90:10 ratio for acquired versus original content for the channel’s slate, Wong explains. "AXN buys top-rated U.S. drama series of the crime, investigative, action and adventure genre, as well as popular reality series and Hollywood and Asian blockbuster movies. Programs are acquired from all major studios and independent producers."

AXN has made its mark as the only regional service in Asia to show the latest seasons of all three series in the CSI franchise. Other top-performing drama series are House and Damages. In May, the debuts of Leverage, a TNT original series, and the A&E original series The Beast also fared well for the network. Adventure, reality and sports programs have typically been strong performers. This includes the U.S. version of Endemol’s Wipeout and action-packed Slamball series. Action movies tend deliver for AXN, such as Stephen Chow’s Chinese-language CJ7 and the Spider-Man franchise.

There are some notable originals in the schedule as well. "Over the years, AXN has produced three seasons of The Amazing Race Asia, the highly acclaimed Asian adaptation of the reality series The Amazing Race," Wong says. "Equally popular are the lifestyle infotainment series Sony Style, entertainment news magazine eBuzz and glossy men’s show The Duke." AXN also just announced an original based on street magician Cyril, who will bring his street stunts to various locations across Asia, performing illusions for unsuspecting passers-by.

WHAT’S NEW: This month sees the latest series of Breaking the Magician’s Code: Magic’s Biggest Secrets Revealed debut. June also marks some major milestones, with the 100th episode of House and CSI: NY and 200th episode of CSI set to air.

In July, the fifth season of Numb3rs launches, followed by the seventh season of CSI: Miami in August.

WEBSITE: www.axn-asia.com