FremantleMedia International Does Digital Deal with China’s Youku

CANNES: FremantleMedia International has announced a multi-year landmark deal with the Chinese portal Youku to carry a variety of entertainment and drama content online.

Youku averages 14 million unique users a day. It also has 200 million mobile users.

Some 202 hours of FremantleMedia International programming will be available via VOD on the the portal, including Total Black Out USA, The X Factor USA season three, America's Got Talent season eight and Project Runway season 11. Also part of the pact are Celebrity Apprentice season six and American Idol season 13. There are also a number of scripted series included, among them Hit and Miss, The Crimson Petal and the White and Fingersmith.

Ganesh Rajaram, FremantleMedia International's executive VP for Asia, said, “Youku is a fantastic outlet for our programming in China allowing some of our best known shows to reach millions of new viewers. Our brands have repeatedly demonstrated their mass appeal around the world so it’s fitting and exciting that they can now reach such a thriving new market.”

Paul Ridley, FremantleMedia International's senior VP for the Asia Pacific, added, “As the Asian region evolves it’s really important for our world-class entertainment to be present on platforms which are in line with new consumer viewing habits—with Youku’s vast reach it was the natural choice for us in China.”