Sony’s ONE Heads to Australia

SINGAPORE: Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia has closed a distribution deal with FetchTV in Australia for the ONE channel.

Beginning January 15, the ONE became the first wholly-owned Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia channel to land carriage in Australia. ONE is now available through FetchTV ISP partners iiNet, Internode, Westnet, Netspace, MyTelecom and Adam Internet. The channel will be included in FetchTV’s Korean Pack, and will also be part of the Singapore/Taiwan Pack. ONE offers programs produced by Seoul-based content supplier and broadcaster SBS through an output deal. The channel airs the latest Korean drama series, in addition to K-pop variety and music programs. ONE was first launched in October 2010 in Malaysia and is also offered in Singapore, Cambodia and Indonesia.

“There is great demand for fresh Korean content of high quality—especially amongst Asians—including many Koreans who call Australia home,” said Ricky Ow, the senior VP and general manager of networks, Asia, for Sony Pictures Television. “Complete with new drama, variety and music shows, and some titles debuting just weeks after Korean premieres, ONE will offer the best and latest of Korean entertainment Down Under. We look forward to working with FetchTV to make ONE a success.”

“Multicultural programming is an important part of the FetchTV strategy catering to Australia’s diverse range of cultural backgrounds,” commented Scott Lorson, the CEO of FetchTV. “We hope the addition of ONE to our language packages, alongside international news channels, will continue to strengthen the appeal of FetchTV to Australia’s Korean and Chinese populations.”