FIC to Cut Lag Time for Asian Premieres

HONG KONG: FOX International Channels (FIC) is bringing a slew of shows to its key channels in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia within hours or days of their original premiere, including The Walking Dead and Da Vinci's Demons.

In all, there are more than 25 shows that FIC has slashed the Asian premiere window for. The first few shows will launch this month, with the remaining to launch this fall and beyond into 2015. FIC is rolling out a campaign entitled "Express" to tie together the network-wide initiative, which starts July 15. The shows that are part of the "Express" offering will feature an on-air "Express from" logo followed by an indication of where the content originated from.

The flagship general entertainment channel FOX will anchor the "Express" strategy. Season five of The Walking Dead will air on FOX within 24 hours of its U.S. broadcast this October. The show was previously available for the past few seasons on FOX Movies Premium, but is making the move to FOX. The Bridge and Sleepy Hollow will also air within 24 hours on FOX after their U.S. air date.

FOX Movies Premium will deliver viewers in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia the second season of Ray Donovan and season four of Homeland this fall, both within 36 hours following their U.S. broadcast. Both shows will also be made available seven days after their linear broadcast on the FOX Movies PLAY catch-up service.

Season two of MasterChef Junior will debut on StarWorld this September, while season four of both Revenge and Scandal come in the fall. All will air within five days of their U.S. broadcast.

On FX, season three of Da Vinci's Demons will launch in the spring 24 hours after the U.S. premiere. American Horror Story: Freak Show and the new season of Sons of Anarchy will both become available on FX this fall within five days of the U.S. broadcast.

The new series Survive the Tribe will premiere this month on National Geographic Channel in the region within 24 hours of its U.S. launch.

Channel M will air the Korean pop music chart show M Countdown the morning after it broadcasts in Korea. The reality makeover show Let Me In and dancing competition Dancing 9 will both air within six days of the Korean launch.

“We’re excited to launch the ‘Express’ campaign as bringing to our viewers great content as soon as they’re available has been a top priority FIC Asia,” said Joon Lee, the managing director of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia at FOX International Channels. “Not only does it help fight piracy in this region, but why should audiences in Asia have to wait to watch the shows they want? Fans will seek out ways to watch their favorite shows regardless, so we want to make it easier for them, not more difficult. This is just the start for us and we plan to do all we can to work with our platform partners to cater to their subscribers needs and deter viewers from turning to other means to accessing content.”