MGM TV & China Star Omnimedia Align for New Venture

MGM Television and China Star Omnimedia have entered into a new partnership to co-produce and co-develop local-language alternative programing for the Chinese market.

Per the deal, China Star Omnimedia will distribute formats in China with MGM overseeing distribution for the rest of the world. The new venture combines MGM’s storytelling and distribution expertise with China Star Omnimedia’s entire entertainment ecosystem, which includes businesses spanning television and digital production, networks, filmmaking, artist management and concert production.

China Star Omnimedia and its affiliates’ series include local versions of The Voice, King of Masked Singer, So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars. The company has also produced original reality formats of its own such as Sing My Song and Street Dance of China. MGM Television’s alternative programming slate includes The Voice (NBC), Survivor (CBS), Shark Tank (ABC), Beat Shazam (Fox), Real Housewives of Orange County and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (Bravo), Live PD (A&E), Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (Nickelodeon) and the syndicated programs Lauren Lake’s Paternity Court, Couples Court with the Cutlers and Personal Injury Court.

Mark Burnett, chairman of MGM’s Worldwide Television Group, said: “The influence that China Star Omnimedia has on pop culture is second to none and underscores the immense opportunity that lies ahead with this exciting new partnership. The country’s incredibly rich culture provides a huge trove of possibilities in the alternative programming space, and we look forward to working with our colleagues in China to entertain new generations of audiences around the world.”

Roye Meng, executive director of China Star Omnimedia, said: “MGM’s deep experience in creative storytelling and unparalleled expertise in producing global formats will help us expand and accelerate our capabilities in the alternative content space. We look forward to building off of the extensive MGM catalog and developing new content together to create universally resonant shows for audiences not just in China, but around the world.”