Mnet Announces Spring Lineup

LOS ANGELES: Mnet, the U.S. network targeting Asian Americans, has announced its spring lineup, highlighting its original series Short Notice and Beats Per Mnet.

Short Notice is an hour-long series hosted by actress and comedian Lilan Bowden, which features award-winning Asian-American short films and talks with the filmmakers. Meanwhile, Beats Per Mnet is a daily series that showcases the latest trends in Asian pop culture, including music, fashion, toys, film and food. Comedian Paul Kim hosts the show.

Mnet’s new lineup also includes Monday Night Screams, which features Asian horror films, including Hidden Floor, Antarctic Journal and Scream at Kamchanad.

Programming already airing on Mnet includes M Countdown, Banzai, Extreme Gourmet, Bandai Entertainment Block, Indie Movie Nights and a prime-time block highlighting the best series in Asia.

Additionally, Mnet has appointed Julie Choi as its first senior VP of programming and development. Prior to joining Mnet, Choi produced shows on a variety of networks, including NBC, CBS and ABC, as well as on cable channels such as MTV, Lifetime, HGTV, BET, Oxygen and WE tv. She has produced shows such as Dancing With the Stars, The Biggest Loser and Parental Control.

Of her new position, Choi said: "I am excited to join the Mnet team and help build this groundbreaking TV venture. Growing up as the child of first generation Asian immigrants, and then later on in my professional endeavors, I’ve felt that Asian Americans were underrepresented on television. There was plenty of in-language shows for my parents to watch, but none that spoke directly to me. Mnet will be a network for this new generation of Asian Americans."

Adam Ware, the acting president and CEO of Mnet, added: “It’s not often a talented producer and developer of successful network programming is available, which is why we’re especially pleased to have Julie join the Mnet team.”

Ware continued: "Not only does she have the right pedigree, but as a Korean American, she brings unique cultural insights that enables her to produce content that appeals to our target audience."