Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks and Nippon Television Network Corporation (Nippon TV) today announced that their joint-venture Asian general entertainment channel GEM will roll out across Asia on 1st October 2015. Launch platforms include nowTV in Hong Kong; TrueVisions in Thailand; MyRepublic, Matrix TV, Nexmedia, Skynindo, and Transvision in Indonesia; and Phnom Penh Municipal Cable TV (PPCTV) in Cambodia.
GEM features first-run and exclusive dramas, comedies and variety entertainment shows from Japan as well as other Asian territories including South Korea, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Hui Keng Ang, senior vice president and general manager, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia said: “As its name suggests, GEM is poised to be a glittering jewel within the genre, meeting the growing viewer demand for premium Asian content. Our partnership with leading content producer Nippon TV will ensure a steady pipeline of compelling primetime content featuring the hottest Japanese stars.”
Yukiko Kimishima, divisional president of International Business Development at Nippon Television Network Corporation, said: “Nippon TV already has a proven track record in our country as the first and most watched commercial broadcaster, so we are extremely delighted at the opportunity to launch GEM in partnership with SPT Networks to deliver Nippon TV’s captivating fresh lineup of dramas and variety entertainment shows along with the finest programs from the rest of Asia.”
Spanning action, period, comedy, family and romance genres, GEM is anchored by a wide range of Asian drama with captivating stories and multi-dimensional characters to keep audiences returning for more. Headlining the October launch of GEM is the hit psychological thriller Death Note. The series features Japanese stars Masataka Kubota, Kento Yamazaki and Mio Yuki, and follows the adventures ofcollege student Light Yagami who finds a notebook known as the Death Note, which contains the power to kill anyone whose name is written in it.
Other popular titles include Angel Heart, starring award-winning actor Takaya Kamikawa, which will be available on GEM within a week of the Japan telecast. The primetime lineup also includes top-ratedoffice drama series Hanasaki Mai Speaks Out S2, and Chinese romance series Lady & Liar, starring Hong Kong heart throb Harwick Lau and Chinese idol Tiffany Tang.
The channel will also boast variety programs that spotlight the latest entertainment buzz around popular celebrities in the region.
GEM adds to SPT Networks’ considerable presence in the region, where it is the leader in Asian general entertainment. The portfolio includes ONE, the No. 1 South Korean entertainment destination across Southeast Asia, which has delivered more than 50 percent growth over the past four years in key markets like Singapore and Malaysia; as well as Japanese anime channel Animax, which is especially popular among youth and young adults. Both channels are available as over-the-top platforms and actively engage fans throughout the region with large-scale events featuring high profile talent from key shows. GEM Vietnam, which is also part of the Asian channels portfolio, will continue to be wholly-owned and operated by SPT Networks.
SPT Networks is also a leading pay TV broadcaster in the English general entertainment space with top-rated AXN and Sony Channel; and operates joint-venture channels Baby TV and Vision 2 in Indonesia with Dori Media Group.
