Deutsche Welle Expands in Asia

SINGAPORE/BONN, January 7:
Deutsche Welle is expanding its TV services in Asia, launching DW-TV ASIA+,
effective March 2, delivering content on European lifestyle, culture, arts,
business and politics, most of it in English.

Deutsche Welle already
operates DW-TV ASIA, with 16 hours of German-language content and eight hours
in English. It is on cable and DTH platforms region wide.

DW-TV ASIA+ will feature
18 hours of English-language programming in its bid to lure a broad viewing
base. Shows will include euromaxx,
Drive It!, Global 3000 and In Focus, among others. Lifestyle, culture, health and wellness and the arts
will be the primary focus of the new service, accounting for about 71 percent
of the schedule. The grid will be rounded out by news content. All programming
will be drawn from Deutsche Welle's library.

"Viewers in Asia have
a high demand for more intimate knowledge and insights into Europe and European
culture, making it an important media market for Deutsche Welle," said
Petra Schneider, the director of sales and service at Deutsche Welle.
"Following the success and continued growth of DW-TV ASIA, I am proud to
start the New Year with the launch of DW-TV ASIA+, the destination channel for
all seeking a more in-depth experience on Europe. I am confident that
positioning DW-TV ASIA+ as the 'living channel,' delivering the most compelling
content on European lifestyle, culture, health and wellness, and the arts will
further cement the dialogue with millions of viewers from our target audience
and enriching their lives in the process."

According to Christopher
Lanz, the director of television at Deutsche Welle, the original DW-TV ASIA feed
"will continue to serve the German-speaking audience to complete Deutsche
Welle's dual strategy for the marketplace. This will help us to better cater to
the varying needs of our viewers while reaching our core target audience both
current and new."

—By Mansha Daswani