Expanded Asian Reach for GEM

SINGAPORE: GEM, the Asian entertainment channel operated by Sony Pictures Television Networks and Nippon TV, has expanded its reach to Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore.

The channel, which launched last year, is now accessible on more than ten pay-TV platforms in six Asian markets. Delivering Japanese and northeast Asian entertainment, it is carried on Indovision, MyRepublic, Nexmedia, Skynindo and Transvision in Indonesia; ACCION’s distribution network of provincial cable affiliates in the Philippines; and, from August 1, Singtel TV in Singapore. GEM is already available on PPCTV in Cambodia, nowTV in Hong Kong and TrueVisions in Thailand.

The expanded distribution comes as GEM premieres its first original, We are Asia—Dean Fujioka & Friends, a five-part entertainment documentary series.

Ang Hui Keng, senior VP and general manager at Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia, noted, “GEM is gaining traction in Asia as it cements its position as the top destination for high quality, express content from Japan and northeast Asia. We’re focused on taking GEM beyond the screen and into the lives of fans across the region via talent tours, local filming and fan meets. Our new series, We are Asia—Dean Fujioka & Friends, marks the first original series for GEM, and will pave the way for more localized content in the future.”

Atsushi Hatayama, the president of international business development at Nippon TV, added, “We are happy to know that GEM and its lineup of compelling content have been well-received by our viewers and pay-TV platforms across the region. We are looking forward to welcoming new viewers in the Philippines and Indonesia where Japanese content has not been shown before on this scale. The Singaporeans have a great appreciation for Japanese content, and can now watch it without delay. We are dedicated to bringing express telecast shows to GEM so viewers should look forward to catching the latest shows close to the Japan broadcast.”