Nippon TV, SPT Partner for New Asian Pay-TV Channel

SINGAPORE/TOKYO: GEM Asia is a planned new pay-TV channel from Nippon TV and Sony Pictures Television Networks that will deliver Japanese and other North Asian programming to pay-TV audiences in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

SPT and Nippon TV are forming a joint venture, subject to regulatory approval, to launch the new general-entertainment channel. GEM Asia will feature first-run and exclusive dramas, comedies and variety entertainment shows from Japan and other markets. The channel will have access to more than 500 hours of Japanese content per year exclusively from Nippon TV. Distribution and ad sales will be handled by SPT Networks. (GEM Vietnam will continue to be wholly-owned and operated by SPT Networks.)

“There is a strong demand for North Asian content across the Southeast Asian market, especially the types of Japanese dramas and variety entertainment shows for which Nippon TV is highly regarded," said George Chien, executive VP for Asia-Pacific networks at SPT. "We are looking forward to working closely with them on this unique new pay TV offering, which perfectly complements our successful portfolio of Asian entertainment channels."

Kimio Maruyama, board director and executive operating officer of Nippon TV, added, “After three years of actively pursuing various content-related business opportunities in Southeast Asia, we came to realize that our programs are our strength and greatest asset. This led to our discovery that the pay-TV business would best enable us to provide constant access to top-notch Nippon TV entertainment to viewers in Southeast Asia. The success of such a venture depends on having a partner who is familiar with and has a proven track record in the pay TV and media landscape in Asia, and we at Nippon TV are honored to have found SPT Networks. GEM Asia enables us to reach out to more people in Southeast Asia with high-quality dramas and entertainment shows that continue to make Nippon TV the most-watched broadcaster in Japan.”