4-17 may 2015 C NTENTASIA #GreatJobs see page 5

www.contentasia.tv l https://www.facebook.com/contentasia?fref=ts facebook.com/contentasia l @contentasia l www.asiacontentwatch.com

Sony Pics restructures Asia Networks ops Asian, English content teams merged

Sony Pictures Television Networks has re- structured its Asia operation, consolidating Asian and English-language content port- folios and trimming the -based team by a rumoured seven more people. News of the layoffs filtered out on Thursday, just before the May Day long- weekend. SPT Networks has not confirmed num- bers, but says roles were eliminated as part of the re-org and a small percentage of employees were affected. The latest layoffs follow the exit earlier in April of English-language program- ming vice president, Yan-Jong Wong, after 15 years. Also out is Chih Yeong Voo, vice president, business operations and development. Asian content vice president, Virginia Lim, has taken over the content and mar- keting portfolio as vice president. The restructure comes ahead of SPT’s launch of new Asian general entertain- ment channel, Gem Asia, with ’s Nippon Television Network Corporation. The new channel – Nippon TV’s first out- Story on page 8

OTT, streaming top APOS conversations Content comes first, industry leaders say

Industry heads gathered in Bali for this year’s Asia Pacific Video Operators Sum- mit (APOS). Here’s some of what they said.

See pages 10-16 c ntentasia 4-17 may 2015 Page 2.

$30m more drives iflix SE Asia growth ’ PLDT backs regional OTT

Southeast Asia’s new regional stream- ing platform iflix has completed a US$30 million round of funding and said at the end of April that it was “primed for growth”. The round was led by international investment firm, Catcha Group, and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT). Korea’s iHQ The company says the money will be opens Southeast used to continue to roll out iflix, acquire G.O.D. rights to new content, produce original Asia office programming and marketing. Korean entertain- New operation to rep iflix says it is targetting Southeast Asia’s ment and me- TV, movies, music & 600 million consumers, 240 million of dia giant iHQ artist management whom are currently internet users. has opened its The platform is planning launches in Southeast Asia , , Philippines, headquarters in and this year, offering more Singapore, push- than 10,000 hours of U.S., Asian regional ing TV, movie and and local TV shows and movies. music sales and Lee Dong-Wook, for KBS2; Each subscription will allow a user to talent management and Cha, starring Kim Boyeon access the service on five devices, as services in the region for and Oh Gwangrok, for MBC. well as download content to their mo- the first time. A Deep Rooted Tree Through its merger in Korea bile, tablet, computer, or television set, The new operation with CU Media, the company for viewing anywhere, anytime. is headed by managing director Jung also has access to about six cable chan- Pricing has not yet been disclosed. iflix So-In. nels, including AXN, Dramax, Comedy TV co-founder/chief executive, Mark Britt, iHQ, listed on Korea’s Stock Exchange, and Y-Star. told ContentAsia that the idea was “a represents artists such as G.O.D., Jang Jung says iHQ’s goal is strategic alli- low price point that will be impossible to Hyuk and Kim Woo-Bin, as well as TV titles ances across the region to co-create, say no to” (ContentAsia, 20 April 2015). from its production unit. promote and distribute entertainment Content partners have not been con- Drama productions include A Deep content. firmed. iflix says it is working with more Rooted Tree for SBS; Pinocchio, starring The Southeast Asia office is iHQ’s fourth than 30 Hollywood, Asian and local Lee Jongseok and Park Sinhye, for free- international operation after China, Ja- distributors. TV broadcaster SBS; Iron Man, starring pan and the United States.

contentasiasummit.com facebook.com/ContentAsia @contentasia c ntentasia Singapore 2-4 September 2015 creating whole new conversations about content in Asia Programme info from Janine Stein at [email protected]. Sponsorship info from Masliana Masron at [email protected] or +65 6846-5988 4-17 MAY 2015 page 3. c ntentasia 4-17 may 2015 Page 4.

Fox Sports extends UFC Celestial Tiger seals five new carriage deals

Fox International Channels’ Fox Sports Celestial Tiger Entertainment (CTE) has programme block in Vietnam (Yan Me- and mixed martial arts organisation signed five new carriage deals across dia Group), and additional carriage UFC have extended their multi-platform Asia. agreements in Indonesia (Dens.TV) and broadcast rights deal. The regional deal The deals include CTE’s first entry into the Philippines (Olé TV). excludes the Philippines, Papua New Guinea (Click TV) and Sri The deals cover Celestial Movies, Ce- and . Lanka (Dialog Television), a prime-time lestial Classic Movies, Kix and Thrill.

Marsh tapped to head BARC puts Star Plus, Sony Max in top spots WWE Asia Pacific World’s biggest audience measurement system hailed

Former Disney exec Chris Marsh has ’s high-profile BARC (Broadcast Discovery leads the infotainment pack, joined WWE as general manager, Asia Audience Research Council) measure- followed by National Geographic and Pacific, reporting to ment system has unveiled its first results, Animal Planet. Ed Wells, senior vice putting Sony Max in top spot among all Ahead by a long way in the business president/man- channels across all India for the week news category was CNBC TV18, fol- aging director, ended 24 April. lowed by ET Now and Bloomberg TV. international. Star India’s Star Plus, which topped the The new platform in this market of Marsh spent more Hindi general entertainment channels 160+million television homes was hailed than 10 years with list, was second in the all channels list, for its breadth and transparency. Walt Disney Studios, followed in third spot by Hindi GE chan- Calling the service the “world’s largest Chris Marsh most recently as GM nel . Sony Entertainment Television and future-ready television audience for the Southeast Asia limped in at eighth place. measurement” platform, BARC said the division. He has also worked for Warner Colors was at number one among Hin- system was “a brilliant example of Unity Bros, Lucasfilm and Turner. di entertainment channels during prime in Diversity that Indian media, marketing time, followed by Star Plus and Zee TV. and advertising industry has achieved”. The top three English-language en- The BARC platform took two years to de- Youku Tudou, DJI tie up tertainment channels for the week in velop. The first results were released at six mega cities were Comedy Central, the end of April. on aerial platform Zee Cafe and Sony Pictures Television’s Initially, BARC India will release data AXN. for 1 lac+ C&S markets. This corresponds Chinese online platform Youku Tudou The top three English-language news to a sample size of 10,760 households. and mainland tech company DJI have channels across the same six mega-cit- BARC says it will actually measure 12,000 tied up on an online aerial videogra- ies for the week were Times Now, NDTV homes in phase one, increasing to phy platform. New video shot with DJI’s 24x7, and Headlines Today. 20,000. 300 channels are included. drone and other aerial cameras will be Nickelodeon topped the kids catego- The data roll out follows the launch released on a dedicated DJI channel ry across all India for the same week, fol- of SpotTrek, which monitors about 360 on Youku Tudou. The channel will also lowed by Turner’s Pogo in second spot channels and tracks commercial spots feature new launches and reviews. and Cartoon Network in third. and movie trailers on TV.

Satellite Industry Forum 2015 1st June, Grand Hyatt, Singapore #casbaasif c ntentasia 4-17 may 2015 theJC NbTspaceEPageN 5.TASIA Page 5. the place to look for the jobs that matter

BOMANBRIDGE MEDIA PTE LTD WE ARE EXPANDING!

Content Sales Executive Bomanbridge Media, a leading indepen- dent distributor of both finished and format A+E Networks is an award-winning, global media content programming is expanding following re- company offering consumers a diverse communications cent investment and is seeking an experi- environment ranging from television networks to websites, enced Salesperson to be based in their Singapore office for from home videos/DVDs to gaming and educational soft- sales across South East Asia. ware, reaching more than 300 million households in over 150 countries. We are seeking a candidate with a minimum of three to We are seeking a talented and energetic individual to pro- five years direct selling experience. Local languages are of vide support within AETN International Asia to handle client course advantageous. content and sales enquiries, check rights clearances, pre- pare sales materials, and manage all other pre- and post- Key responsibilities include strategic sales planning and ex- sales activities. ecution, projections on potential acquisitions as well as in- ternal productions, achieving monthly and annual targets, Our ideal candidate will have a high degree of flexibility, be generation of new revenue streams and offering assess- able to operate effectively in a fast-moving environment, ment for untapped opportunities falling within our distribu- and have a strong ability to multi-task under minimal super- tion business plan. vision. Job Title, and Renumeration will depend on experience. Interested individuals may apply at: [email protected] with Content Sales Executive in South East Asia is the fastest growing TV market in the world. the subject line. For more details on the position, please see If you feel you would like to be part of this expanding team, http://aenetworksasia.com/careers please contact us at [email protected]

Outdoor Channel (Asia) is the World leader In Outdoor Entertainment, and the most successful new channel For more job listings, please go to: launch in recent years – available in www.contentasia.tv/classified-new.php almost 6 million households across 16 countries in Asia-Pacific. We are seeking an energetic and For information about our listings, talented individual to initiate, develop and grow advertising, please contact: sponsorship and branded programming initiatives. If you are driven, creative and enjoy an entrepreneurial and Masliana Masron (Asia) flexible work culture, then we would love to hear from you. You will be at the heart of the action - from strategy, plan- E: [email protected] ning, prospecting, pitching and execution – and responsible T: +65 6846 5988 for building relationships with decision makers at agencies and brands as you create unique, integrated marketing cam- paigns that will embrace advertising, sponsorship, branded Leah Gordon (Americas, Europe) programming and events. E: [email protected] Enjoy a competitive base salary and attractive incentive T: +1 323 654 0456 scheme, while being part of our family of enthusiastic market- ing, programming and creative professionals. If this is you, we’d love to hear from you.

Please connect with us with your resume at [email protected] or call +65 9186 7216.

Click here to see more job listings c ntentasia 4-17 may 2015 Page 6.

Viki picks up pace on Taiwan 2-hour window on new political drama Be included.

Youth Power

Global streaming site has picked up exclusive U.S./ Americas rights for Taiwanese political drama Youth Power. The acquisition from TVBS in Taiwan rides a growing global trend that offers a wider range of content to gen- eral audiences rather than focusing on niche expatriate viewers. The 21-episode Youth Power – aired in Taiwan as Wow! Chen Yijun – will be available on Viki every week two hours after it airs in Taiwan. New episodes premiere in Tai- wan on Fridays at 10pm. The series, which received a NT$40 million/US$1.3 million drama subsidy from Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture, is part of Viki’s rising focus on Taiwanese drama. 2016 Sara Jen, Viki’s vice president of content partnerships and general manager of Viki Greater China, said the fan- based language customisation facility was “opening up a global audience for Taiwanese shows”. Directed by Chou Mei Ling, Youth Power stars Tammy Chen as the daughter of a political family determined to pursue her passion for music... until she meets rising politi- cal star Jiang Ye Qing, played by Yao Yuan Hao. In the past year, 18% of content added to Viki.com was from Taiwan; almost 30% was from Korea. In February 2015, Viki significantly upped its Taiwan pro- file, adding almost 900 hours of Taiwanese entertainment For details, contact: to its online video platform. Leah Gordon (Americas, Europe) on The deal with six major Taiwanese broadcasters includ- ed exclusive first-window streaming in the U.S. and Ameri- [email protected] or +1 310 926-6761 cas of shows such as Angel ‘n’ Devil from Gala Television Masliana Masron (Asia) on (GTV), The New World from (TTV) and Rose Battle from TVBS. [email protected] or +65 6846-5988 The other three broadcasters supplying content are Sanlih E-Television, Next TV, and CTI TV. Five of Viki’s top 10 mobile countries are from Asia, in- cluding Indonesia (second), Malaysia (third), Philippines (fourth), Singapore (sixth) and Thailand (seventh), ac- cording to stats released last year. 4-17 MAY 2015 page 7. c ntentasia 4-17 may 2015 Page 8.

ABS-CBN cancels Forevermore concert Hit drama transforms village, environmental concerns rise

c ntent Formats Outlook 2015

Q2 update Erich Gonzales in a special appearance as Alex on Forevermore Out now! Philippines’s broadcaster ABS-CBN has can- berry farm Sitio La Presa. The prime-time celled its Forevermore thanksgiving concert drama transformed the village near the “following some environmental concerns summit of Mount Cabuyao into a tourist raised regarding the event’s venue”. destination. The where, when, The concert was due to take place on Local media say citizen groups are what, why and 10 May in Sitio Pungayan, which was the concerned about the increased traffic how of Formats in inspiration for the series fictional straw- and its impact on the environment. Asia. 2 new Asia pick-ups for U.S. comedy email [email protected] PT Television (Indonesia) and AXN South- season by truTV for your copy of the east Asia have picked up rights to come- and starts airing quarterly update dy show, Top 20 Funniest, for the first time in the U.S. this from Alfred Haber Distribution. Long-time month. Please contact buyer, Philippines’ free-TV network GMA, renewed licensing deals for the show, Top 20 Funniest Aqilah at which has been renewed for its third [email protected] or +65 6846-5985 to add your formats From page 1: Sony The new regional pay-TV channel will deals and productions side of Japan – is part of an ongoing swing feature first-run and exclusive dramas, in Asia towards Asian content across the region. comedies and variety entertainment SPT already operates the hugely success- shows from Japan and other North Asian ful Korean channel One. territories, and will have exclusive access www.contentasia.tv Gem Asia targets Southeast Asia and to more than 500 hours a year of Nippon @Contentasia and will be operated sepa- TV content. SPT Networks will be respon- Facebook/Contentasia rately from the existing Gem Vietnam sible for distribution and advertising sales. channel, which will continue to be wholly The deal is subject to regulatory ap- owned by SPT Networks. proval. 4-17 MAY 2015 page 9. c ntentasia 4-17 may 2015 Page 10.

Who was at... this year’s Asia Pacific Video Operators Summit (APOS)

CK Lee, Henry Tan, Astro Malaysia Attaphon Na Bangxang, Naratip (Nuke) Wairat- Handhi Kentjono, MNC; Lee Mee Fung, DW panij, TrueVisions Disney’s opening party

Ben Pyne, Disney Adam Chesnoff, Saban Capital; Rob Gilby, Dis- ney; Russell Wolff, ESPN; Uday Shankar, Star India

HBO Asia’s closing party

Tan Tong Hai, StarHub; Jonathan Spink, HBO Asia Jacelyn Kek, HBO Asia; Rudy Tanoesoedibjo, Indovision

Tham Loke Kheng, PCCW; Avi Himatsinghani, Julian Lim, HBO Asia; Azwan Khan, Dialog Axiata Veronica Lai, StarHub; Gan Ling Sze, Sony Pictures Rewind Networks Entertainment Networks party pics brought to you by c ntentasia 4-17 may 2015 Page 11.

Fox Party Who said what... at APOS 2015

Hernan Lopez, Fox International Channels (FIC)

Vivek Couto, Media Partners Asia (left) with James Murdoch, 21st Century Fox

“Build an audience first,” Murdoch tells delegates

21st Century Fox’s co-chief operating of- much all the rights and we thought we ficer, James Murdoch, has described op- should just make this available to custom- portunity in India as “staggering” and told ers in a new way”. delegates at the Asia Pacific Video Oper- “We thought ‘our programming is good, ators’ Summit 2015 (APOS) in Bali that the it appeals to many generations and we company’s India business would be worth should just get on with it and build an US$1 billion by the end of the decade. audience’,” he said, highlighting India’s Ernie Deviana, Topas TV Indonesia Star India’s new OTT platform, Hotstar, “explosive growth” in mobile broadband had 15 million downloads in the first two and the “enormous number” of smart- months. Murdoch described Hotstar, phones being sold. which is designed for lower bandwidth Hotstar is being offered free in a market environments, as “a very useful, attrac- where “infrastructure bottlenecks make it tive additional way for people to con- hard”. Murdoch said making the service sume programming”. So far, he added, free was designed to remove any pos- there is no sign of cannibalisation of exist- sible additional “friction” in the mobile ing pay-TV services. experience. Outlining the thinking behind Hotstar, “One of the problems with mobile Murdoch said the aim was to “build an broadband is that the data tariffs are not audience before we get to the revenue fit for the modern consumption of video,” part... We produce 14,000 hours a year of he said, adding that consumers were con- Lee Chu Yong, Amanda Loo, Astro Malaysia Indian programming and we own pretty More on page 12: APOS c ntentasia 4-17 may 2015 Page 12.

We use big data, From page 11: APOS a different relationship than when there small data... we scious of data tariffs. are four or five very competitive platforms are a very data “That is the reality. We figured that if we who are going to be innovating in a differ- focused compa- put too much friction for the customer to ent way,” he said. ny. But let us not become download, it would be a real problem…,” “When we look at our global business, data monkeys. he said. it’s really not about doing the same thing Data helps you “The authentication pathways for deliv- everywhere. There are a few markets in understand the ering great differentiated digital experi- the world where we invest very heavily patterns but ences are really hard for customers and and go very deep, India is definitely one. the creative we need to get way better than that... the It’s not a cookie cutter approach and it leap is where reason Netflix is growing so fast is that it’s will differ everywhere,” he said. the individual so easy to sign up and use. We need to “Generally speaking, we like the whole- comes in. I work with our partners to make the experi- sale business, we like being able to part- don’t think it’s ence frictionless,” he added. ner with a large customer-facing organi- possible to auto- Hotstar may introduce a subscription sation that can package us with others to mate the next story that but “we haven’t decided when or what”, get the widest reach,” he added. will be a big hit.” Murdoch said. An advertising platform is “One thing that we are sure of though currently being built that was “highly loca- is that people are paying for audio visual Uday Shankar, Chief Executive, Star India lised and targeted... A lot of advertisers in entertainment. All of that is pay television India today are only able to advertise on and we see that universe growing very We have gone radio or local vernacular press,” he said. dramatically across Asian markets. into Japanese Speaking about Fox’s sports business, Murdoch said the 21CF business would content, into Murdoch outlined a 10-15 year time frame continue to be “dominated financially for Asian docu- and called sports “a new pillar” and “some- a while by selling programming in pack- mentaries... [these are] all thing that is tremendously valuable”. ages to MVPDs [multichannel video pro- niches that no one else is He also highlighted the value of original gramming distributors]”. satisfying. There’s the content, saying “we see an enormous re- At the same time, “we see rapid growth danger when sponse from customers when we innovate and change in the digital video adver- factual gets and put great stuff on screen”. tising space as the industry moves away into the realm Asia presented “more and more op- from DVRs and local storage to IP to of general en- portunity to invest in local programming”, streaming... the ad will emerge to tertainment, including extending movie and drama monetise in a new way,” he said. into reality. production in Taiwan and Japan. “These “I think the wholesaling to MPVDs will We have some are things that will continue to grow for continue to be strong for a while, but it concerns about us,” he said. is certainly evolving and the new pay-TV that. A lot of He also emphasised the long-term com- retailers that are emerging are chang- Asians want to hear stories mitment to “our partners who are the ing that landscape and in a positive about themselves. There is creators and artists who make program- way. The barriers are coming down and a greater interest in where ming”. Murdoch added that “we want to that creates a lot of demand for a lot of they come from. We see a make sure that we are the best buyer of great programming and also for great gap there and we see an their programming...”. brands,” he said. opportunity, which is why Fox’s approach to Asia depended on we did [factual channel] the market. “What we try to do is work with Spark Asia.” key partners in every market we can. Lots More in ContentAsia’s June print/online of Southeast Asian markets have a very issue, published for CommunicAsia & Henry Tan, Chief Operating Officer, Astro dominant platform in place and that’s BroadcastAsia in Singapore

Follow us for all the BCM 2015 action #ContentAsia #busan2015 @Contentasia c ntentasia 4-17 may 2015 Page 13.

MNC Indovision channel winners (from left): Ricky Ow, Turner; Rob Gilby, Disney; Ella Kartika, MNC; Rudy Rob Gilby, Disney; Rudy Tanoesoedibjo, MNC/ Tanoesoedibjo, MNC/Indovision; Joon Lee, Fox International Channels; Jonathan Spink, HBO Asia; Todd Indovision; Jonathan Spink, HBO Asia Miller, Celestial Tiger Entertainment

MNC Dinner

Ricky Ow, Turner; Adam Chesnoff, Ling-Sze Gan, Sony Pictures TV Net- Ann Chan, Li TV; Tan Tong Hai, Saban; Todd Miller, Celestial Tiger works; Yoko Takashima, Nippon TV StarHub

DW’s Beer Garden to celebrate the launch of the revamped channel on 22 June...

Naveen Chandra, Times Television Network; MIchele Schofield, A+E Networks; Patrick Hurr, Peter Limbourg, Deutsche Welle (DW) Sparks Asia; Khim Loh, Moving Visuals

c ntentasia Daily news with ContentAsia Insider email [email protected] for subscription details

Jarrod Lopez, Measat Henry Tan, Astro Otgonchimeg Petra Schneider, DW Byuanjargal, DishTV Mongolia c ntentasia 4-17 may 2015 Page 14.

Celestial Tiger Entertainment’s APOS “energy recharge” session

Karen Lee, Singtel; Lim Shu Fen, Veronica Lai, StarHub; Sandie Lee, Rewind Networks; Tan Ying Zh, Aileen Joseph, StarHub

Ofanny Choi, Celestial Tiger Entertainment; Janice Lee, PCCW Now TV Hong Kong

Mickey Ong, Celestial Tiger Entertainment; Cora Yim, Fox International Channels; Todd Miller, Zihar Zuhair, Dialog TV Sri Lanka Celestial Tiger Entertainment

Andy Chang, Celestial Tiger Entertainment; Vilia Timothy Bautista, Cable Boss Philippines Jannie Poon, 21st Century Fox Chia, HBO Asia party pics brought to you by c ntentasia 4-17 may 2015 Page 15.

Discovery party

Fernando Medin, J.B. Perrette, Discovery; Sandie Zubin Gandevia, Fox International Channels; Lee, Rewind Networks; Henry Martinez, Discovery Rudy Tanoesoedibjo, MNC; Alan Hodges, A+E Networks; Edward Lee, Skynindo CSTV

OFanny Choi, Annie Chan, Celestial Tiger Enter- tainment; Novy Fadillah, MNC

Nguyen Hanh, QNet; Theresa Ong, Discovery; Vilia Chia, HBO Asia; Carolyn So, Rewind Net- Ray Montinola, Lin Shu Fen, StarHub Jaja Suarez, SkyCable Philippines works; Reagan Chan, Media Partners Asia SkyCable

Gregg Creevey, Multi Channels Asia (MCA); An- Khim Loh, Moving Visuals; William Lee, Digital Pathfinder; Indra Suharjono; shuman Misra, Bright Lights Media; Billy Kelly, MCA Magdalene Ng, Discovery Daryl Kho, Viacom International Media Networks party pics brought to you by c ntentasia 4-17 may 2015 Page 16.

New China force sweeps through HK’s TVB Li Ruigang on OTT, smart TV, co-production pain, regulations and creativity

Hong Kong’s dominant free-TV broad- and media-related industries company trying to block politi- caster, Television Broadcasts Ltd (TVB), will further enrich and ex- cally sensitive content. Yes and looks north in a much bigger way from pand TVB’s core business no. There is sometimes sen- about now with new mainland money in con- sitive content on Chinese and a fresh investor voice driving a more tent” and “further de- online services, but not too creative programming agenda, a push to velop our film business”. much. The most important be ahead of both content and delivery TVB relaunched its Shaw thing behind the regulation trends, and a shove into next-generation Brothers movie brand in decision-making is that the services targeting younger audiences. March this year. Li’s new government is trying to pro- The addition of CMC Capital Partners’ relationship with TVB also co- mote local content and pro- founding chairman Li Ruigang – often incides with the broadcaster’s Li Ruigang duction,” he said. called China’s Rupert Murdoch – to the turbo charged over-the-top Right now, he said China group of “young lions” that indirectly (OTT) efforts, announced during Hong lacked “a sustainable content creation holds 26% of TVB, gives the 48-year-old Kong Filmart in March. The new platform model, in terms of qualitative story telling, broadcaster its first significant mainland launches in 2016. creativity is lacking,” he said adding that investment. TVB, Li said, “is not the future” for young “we need some patience... there is mar- Li, also chairman of the Shanghai Media people. “TVB has to think about how to ket demand”. A documentary film-maker Group (SMG), is part of a new era for TVB, upgrade, how to change their mindset to at heart, Li mentioned food-based factual which he describes as “too conservative” create content to target the new audi- series, A Bite of China (2012), as one of the and behind the curve in serving younger ence,” he added. productions setting new quality bars. audiences. At the same time, he told del- “The next generation of distribution will Co-production is not necessarily a silver egates at the Asia Pacific Video Opera- definitely be online and mobile,” Li said bullet. “My experience is that co-produc- tors Summit (APOS) in Bali (22-24 April) that in Bali, adding that he believed “the pay tion is quite painful,” he said, mentioning his TVB content had become a “basic ele- model that did not happen in cable in Oriental Dreamworks JV. He said approvals ment” in content packages across plat- China will happen in OTT”. His belief in OTT for movies, especially sequel movies such forms serving Chinese-speaking audienc- drove last year’s merger between Shang- as Kung Fu Panda 3, were “really hard” be- es. “Everyone, no matter what platform, hai Oriental Pearl and SMG’s BesTV. Li also cause the government “will ask you where wants TVB content,” he said. said SMG “should quickly go for OTT ser- the original idea came from... the story, Li said TVB had not had enough exter- vices or get stuck as a content provider”. the talent, the distribution, revenue share, nal input into content production, and Li’s hardware play involves a to-be- everything”. The Chinese government, he that this failure to learn from outside mar- announced smart TV set targeting young added, “has become smarter and smarter kets “was typical in closed in-house pro- couples. Details remain under wraps. to find out if you are faking or not.” duction. The good thing is that you can “We have strong experience in under- Case-by-case co-productions were own all the IP. But the bad thing is that standing the user experience and how to easier. “If you try to set up a sustainable creativity is limited. That’s what we will try aggregate content. This year we are try- model to continue to co-produce, it is to figure out”. ing to be more aggressive,” he said. very hard because you have to comply Hong Kong’s Communications Author- Li said new regulations introducing on- with both sides’ demands,” he said. This in- ity approved TVB’s new shareholding line censorship and foreign content quo- cluded censorship demands from China’s structure during the week of APOS. TVB tas in China were primarily driven by a government. “And on the other side, you board chairman Charles Chan said Li’s government committed to looking after tailor to international audience tastes. “insights and network in broadcasting local interests. “People think it’s a Chinese How do you balance both sides?”

Wh atsYoursto r y c ntentasia formats 4-17 may 2015 Page 17.

ContentAsia’s regular section, ContentAsia Formats, looks at formats and format development in Asia, including new seasons, series and trends and what these mean to channels, producers and the overall formats industry in the region.

The Last Cop

Japanese broadcaster Nippon Television Network Corporation will air its first localised drama format, The Last Cop, in early summer this year. The Japanese version is the first Asian adaptation of the German crime drama series produced by ITV Studios in association with Red Arrow International. The Last Cop in Japan is slated to air on Nippon TV’s over-the-top (OTT) platform, Hulu Japan. The series will also air on Nippon TV’s free-TV terrestrial network in a prime-time slot. The free-TV slot will be announced in the second half of May. The Last Cop The original story line follows a detective who wakes up after a 20-year bond between Kyogoku and his timid broadcast,” says Ueno. coma and returns to his job in homicide. sidekick Ryota (Masataka Kubota) The aim is to “earn good enough Past and present collide on professional compared to the original version. Emi rating for a terrestrial prime-time slot on and personal levels as he picks up Wakui plays Kyogaku’s wife Kanako, Nippon TV” and another is to stimulate the pieces of his life and tries to who is now married to his junior OTT subscriptions, added Ueno. make sense of a world that Suzuki (Ichirota Miyakawa), Nippon TV and HJ Holdings (Hulu in has moved on. who their daughter, Yui Japan) co-own the Japanese format, In the Japanese version, the (Nozomi Sasaki), thinks is her keeping all rights, including distribution leading character Kyogoku, real father. rights to Asian territories. Red Arrow played by Toshiaki Karasawa Production in Japan involved International holds distribution rights (20th Century Boys) stayed in a team of five from Nippon TV elsewhere. a coma for 30 years because in Hiroyuki Ueno and Hulu Japan and took one year HJ Holdings’ chief content officer Japan 30 years is the ideal “time to complete. Kazufumi Nagasawa said the platform lag to describe the difference between “There are a lot of people involved would be upping international content the current lifestyle and the past”, says in this production... considering our alongside its fledgling original slate, and Hiroyuki Ueno, Nippon TV’s producer and programming strategy and performers’ would also be “collaborating with the programming manager. schedules, we took most of the time in terrestrial broadcast business to maximise Ueno also says that the Japanese putting our efforts in accommodating each show’s value”. version emphasised more strongly the the perfect time and date for our c ntentasia FORMATS at the ContentAsia Summit 2015 2-4 September 2015. Be included. Contact Malena at [email protected] c ntentasia schedules 4-17 may 2015 Page 18.

ContentAsia Schedules – a look at scheduling strategies around the region. History

Day/Time Monday, 9 March Tuesday, 10 March Wednesday, 11 March Thursday, 12 March Friday, 13 March Saturday, 14 March Sunday, 15 March SGT 10 Things You Don’t Know The Pickers S6 Ep115: Pick Or The Pickers S6 Ep116: Lead The Pickers S6 Ep117: Pam’s The Pickers S6 Ep118: The The Pickers S6 Ep119: KISS 7pm Vikings S3 Ep4: Scarred About S3 Ep8: The Hoover Treat (115) Of A Lifetime Labyrinth Einstein Gamble And Sell Dam : Texas S2 Storage Wars Texas S2 Ep25: Storage Wars: Texas S2 Storage Wars Texas S2 Ep24: Storage Wars Texas S2 Ep26: Storage Wars Canada Ep19: 8pm Ep22: No Stash, Moe’s Night Of The Pondering Ep23: Out Of Af-Ricky Bubbapocalypse Now Jenny Bears All Com-Paul-Sive Behaviour Stache Dead S7 Ep83: The Storage Wars Canada Genius Factor Storage Wars: Canada Storage Wars: Canada Storage Wars Canada Ep24: Storage Wars Canada Ep25: Storage Wars Canada Ep20: 8.30pm Ep23: The Lame, The Sick, Ep21: Cold Turkeys Ep22: Worst Best Man Ever Crate Expectations A Bad Day To Be Bogart Psychic Psych Out And The Crazy S14 Ep301: Storage Wars S5 Ep99: Total Pawn Stars S14 Ep301: Storage Wars S5 Ep99: Total 9pm 10 Things You Don’t Know Spruce Goose Wine Domination The Pickers S6 Ep124: Vikings S3 Ep3: Warrior’s Spruce Goose Wine Domination About S3 Ep8: The Hoover Storage Wars S5 Ep100: The Backroad Barnstorming Fate Storage Wars S5 Ep100: The 9.30pm Pawn Stars S14 Ep302: All In Dam Pawn Stars S14 Ep302: All In Storage Buyer In You Storage Buyer In You Pawn Stars U.K. S2 Ep13: Storage Wars Canada Ep19: 10pm Waterloo Sash Com-Paul-Sive Behaviour Ancient Aliens S7: The The Pickers S6 Ep124: S1 Ep3: You Have Been Vikings S3 Ep4: Scarred Vikings S3 Ep4: Scarred Pawn Stars U.K. S2 Ep14: Elvis Storage Wars Canada Ep20: Genius Factor Backroad Barnstorming 10.30pm Warned & Bond Psychic Psych Out Pawn Stars U.K. S2 Ep13: Pawn Stars S14 Ep301: S3 Ep55: 11pm Ghost Planes & The Waterloo Sash S2 Spruce Goose Ancient Aliens S7 Ep83: The Heavy Metal The Curse Of Oak Island S2 Mysteries Of Flight 370 Pawn Stars U.K. S2 Ep14: Elvis Ep5: The 90-Foot Stone Genius Factor Counting Cars S3 Ep56: Ep5: The 90-Foot Stone 11.30pm Pawn Stars S14 Ep302: All In & Bond Power And Glory 12am

Character-led reality: 14hrs/40% Competition: 9hrs/26% Drama: 4hrs/11% Mythological/supernatural: 3hrs/9% People: 2hrs/6%

Nature/disasters: 1hr/3% Business/jobs: 1hr/3% Automobile: 1hrs/2%

Day/Time Monday, 6 April Tuesday, 7 April Wednesday, 8 April Thursday, 9 April Friday, 10 April Saturday, 11 April Sunday, 12 April SGT

Kings Of Restoration S7 7pm The Pickers S5 Ep90: The Pickers S5 Ep87: The The Pickers S5 Ep88: The Pickers S5 Ep89: Ladies The Pickers S6 Ep95: Deuce Ep115: Back To Four Square Vikings S3 Ep8 California Streaming Million Dollar Mistake Haunted Honeyhole Know Best Digging Kings Of Restoration S7 7.30pm Ep114: Un-Kniev-Able Storage Wars S5 Ep91: Storage Wars S5 Ep87: A Storage Wars S5 Ep88: Like Storage Wars S5 Ep89: Storage Wars S5 Ep90: Old Storage Wars Canada 8pm Orange You Glad Dan Sold Time To Kiln A Kung Pao Cowboy Oysters On The Half Plate Tricks, New Treats Ep29: Giddy Up It Again? Ep4 Storage Wars Canada Storage Wars Canada Storage Wars Canada Ep9: Storage Wars Canada Ep7: Storage Wars Canada Ep8: Storage Wars Canada 8.30pm Ep5: It’s Like Archaeology, Ep6: Ain’t No Locker Like A Taunted, Haunted, And Wanna Smell My Hair? Fashion Passion Ep30: Li’l Roy You Dig? Birthday Locker Most Wanted Pawn Stars S14 Ep309: Storage Wars S6 Ep105: Pawn Stars S14 Ep309: Storage Wars S6 Ep105: 9pm Daddy’s Girl Flight Of The Gambler The Pickers S6 Ep114: S6 Ep4: Daddy’s Girl Flight Of The Gambler Vikings S3 Ep7 Pawn Stars S14 Ep310: Dam Storage Wars S6 Ep106: The Cammy Camaro Bounty On The Bayou Pawn Stars S14 Ep310: Dam Storage Wars S6 Ep106: The 9.30pm Good Time Hills Have Buys Good Time Hills Have Buys Storage Wars Canada 10pm Alaska Off-Road Warriors Ep29: Giddy Up Ancient Aliens S6 Ep75: Appalachian Outlaws S2 The Pickers S6 Ep114: Vikings S3 Ep8 Vikings S3 Ep8 Ep3: Fallen Warrior Storage Wars Canada Aliens & Superheroes Ep1: Root Awakening Cammy Camaro 10.30pm Ep30: Li’l Roy Pawn Stars U.K. S2 Ep5: Kray Pawn Stars S14 Ep309: 11pm Twins Teeth Daddy’s Girl Alaska Off-Road Warriors The Curse Of Oak Island S2 Appalachian Outlaws S2 Pawn Stars U.K. S2 Ep6: Gangland Undercover Ep4 Gangland Undercover Ep8 Ep3: Fallen Warrior Ep9: A Dangerous Dive Pawn Stars S14 Ep310: Dam Ep1: Root Awakening 11.30pm The Amphibious Vehicle & Good Time The Hat 12am

Character-led reality: 14hrs/40% Competition: 11hrs/31% Drama: 7hrs/20% Business/jobs: 2hr/6% Mythological/supernatural: 1hr/3% Source: History, as of 2 March 2015

2014 was a big year for History. Last year, (Singapore, Urban Philippines); Nielsen above channel average) in October/ the A+E Networks channel was the top (Malaysia, Thailand True Panel); aver- November. But there were others, includ- factual entertainment service in Singa- age viewership, 1800-2400, audience: PH ing Vikings (top show of all international pore; topped the Learning Pack on Astro (P25-54 ABC1); SG/MY/TH (P15+); viewers factual entertainment channels in Singa- in Malaysia; was the leading factual en- from pay-TV households]. pore/Thailand) and The World Wars (His- tertainment channel on Thailand’s True- The Bible helped, driving ratings in Sin- tory’s best rated series in urban Philippines Visions; and was the top factual enter- gapore (History’s highest rated show in in 2014; prime-time channel average up tainment channel among the Philippines’ 2014), Thailand (beat competitors in pre- 130% in Malaysia). middle classes. [Source: Kantar Media miere timeslot) and the Philippines (+70% More on page 19 c ntentasia 4-17 may 2015 Page 19.

Pawn Stars

From page 18: Schedules History’s strongest viewership in Asia more than 40% above channel prime Joyce Lim, A+E Networks’ senior direc- is from 8pm to midnight. The Pickers, time average in Malaysia (Nielsen). tor, content, factual channels, says A+E stripped across weekdays from 7pm (6-12 “We are also ramping up on our local invested heavily last year in docu-dra- April), leads into various versions of Stor- production with returning series Ride n’ mas/TV events. And this continues in 2015 age Wars, including Storage Wars Texas Seek and others,” Lim says. with Vikings season three (Fridays, 10pm), (8pm-8.30pm, April) stripped Mondays to Last year’s original slate included first lo- Gangland Undercover (Fridays, 11pm), Fridays, followed by Storage Wars Cana- cal photography competition series Photo and Sons of Liberty (May). da, also stripped Mondays to Fridays, Face-Off, which rated more than 200% Vikings season two was, if anything, the with marathons on Sundays from above channel prime-time aver- biggest surprise in Asia, changing History 8pm-10pm. The schedule was age in Malaysia. Season one, pro- programmers’ perception of what’s pos- pretty much the same in May, duced by FremantleMedia Asia, sible in the region on a Friday night. Sea- with the addition of Storage ran on Tuesday nights from 23 son two premiered on the same day as Wars: New York (4-10 May). September 2014 to 28 October the U.S., making the Friday slot unavoid- History isn’t necessarily go- 2014. The series won its timeslot able. Lim says Friday night audiences ing for day-and-date releases in Singapore, Malaysia and Thai- “are traditionally not very high”. The third on all titles, although windows are land (Source: Nielsen Malaysia/ Joyce Lim season premiere of Vikings, also on a Fri- being shortened. For instance, sea- Thailand; Kantar Singapore, Period: day (27 February), put History channel son one of Curse of Oak Island aired in 23 Sep - 28 Oct 2014, Tuesdays, 10.30pm). ahead of all English pay-TV channels in the U.S. in January 2014 and five months A+E Networks Asia has greenlit a sec- Singapore (Kantar Media) and Malaysia later in Asia. Season one was, despite ond season of Photo Face-Off. The show, (Nielsen). The 10-part show aired Fridays the time lag, the top programme among expanded to one-hour episodes from last (two episodes), with encores on Satur- factual entertainment channels in Sin- season’s half-hours, will air on History later days at 7pm and Sundays at 10pm. gapore, Thailand (international factual this year. Season two is being produced If big-budget sexy docu-drama hogs entertainment channels) and Malaysia by Singapore-based Beach House Pic- headlines, competition series Storage (Astro’s Learning Pack). The window was tures, which has just completed Asia’s Wars and character-driven reality such shorter on season two; the Asia premiere Next Top Model for Fox International as Pawn Stars were the workhorses of His- was on 11 February 2015, a month after Channels’ Star World. tory’s prime-time schedule in the week of the U.S. Season two performed at more A version of this schedule analysis ap- 9-15 March. Storage Wars aired in 41% of than 170% above channel prime-time av- peared in Content Asia Factual 2015, the 7pm to midnight band. erage in Singapore (Kantar Media) and available here c ntentasia platforms 4-17 may 2015 Page 20.

In ContentAsia’s regular section on up-and-coming online platforms in Asia, Malena Amzah speaks to Kasidit Kolasastraseni, chief executive officer of Thailand’s two-month old over-the-top (OTT) television service PrimeTime.

What is PrimeTime? PrimeTime is an OTT Packages/rates Four packages: 1)Mov- social media accounts to create an TV service, offering on-demand stream- ie Buffet – THB199/US$6 for 30 days un- interactive community between all the ing of international and Thai TV series limited access; 2) Premier Movie+Movie movies and TV series lovers. We do not and movies, geo-blocked for users in Buffet – THB299/US$9 for 30 days unlim- want to use social media to endlessly Thailand. Available on internet-connect- ited access to movies in the Movie Buffet push promotions; we’d rather spawn ed devices, including smart TV, iOS/An- list and two premier movie rental tickets lively discussions about all the great con- droid and PC/Mac (must watch within 48 hours); 3) TV Series tent we have on PrimeTime... and high- Launched on 19 February 2015 by Prime- Buffet – THB299/US$9 for 30 days unlim- light all the improvements they want to Time Entertainment ited access to TV series; and 4) Combo see in our service.” Who’s who... Kasidit Kolasastraseni, package for THB549/US$17 for 30 days Challenges “Localisation, bandwidth chief executive officer; Nicha Sueb- (or THB399/US$12 for 30 days if purchased management, differentiation are the wonglee, chief content officer; Phat- for 360 days) for all three options most important factors to win in this mar- thaworn Phongphaew, chief product New titles added monthly At least 50 ket. Thailand is a country where more officer; Isara Amatayakul, chief tech- movies in the Movie Buffet package and than 70% of the audience only wants nology officer 20 movies in the Premier Movie plan, Thai-dubbed content and most viewers The offering 300 movies and more than and at least 200 hours of TV series in the do not watch English programming with- 20 TV series in three packages: 1) Pre- TV Series Buffet package out subtitles, so high-quality localisation mier Movies/TV series: Hollywood mov- Acquisitions Expects to acquire more is the key. In addition, bandwidth, espe- ies (three/four months after Thai/global than 5,000 hours of movies and TV series cially 3G is much slower in comparison theatrical releases), including Big Hero 6, in 2015, with strong focus on 4K content to developed countries, hence being Theory of Everything and Boyhood, and Targeted users “Anyone who owns a able to provide high-quality streaming Thailand TV series/movies not shown in smart phone, tablet or PC/Mac in Thai- at a limited bandwidth has been our local theatres or cable TV, such as TV land and everybody who loves some key focus. Lastly, we need to differenti- series Black Sails and Power, and movie form of visual home entertainment.” ate from other services in the region be- Annie; 2) Movie Buffet: unlimited access 2015 take-up expectation 100,000 users cause ultimately every service will have to movies older than four years, including by the end of 2015 similar content. This year, we are partner- franchises such as Harry Potter, Lord of Social media “Unlike many digital ser- ing with DTS to become the first compa- the Rings, indie movies such as Magnolia vices in Thailand, we want to utilise our ny in the world to launch HeadphoneX, and classics such a technology that stimulates as The Godfather; 5.1 sound experience on a 3) TV Series Buffet: headphone/earphone.” whole seasons of Hollywood series such as American Horror Story, Mod- ern Family, Crimi- nal Minds, Grey’s Anatomy, Scan- dal and Once Upon a Time. c ntentasia 4-17 may 2015 Page 21.

QUOTES WE LIKE... I am sure there will not be only one TV station in C NTENTASIA Hong Kong... A smart government will not allow a single TV station to control the industry.” David Chiu on his bid for a free-TV licence in Hong Kong. Chiu, the son of former Editorial Director Asia Television Ltd (ATV) owner Dickson Chiu, is part of a consortium that has put its hand up Janine Stein for a licence in the wake of the decision not to renew ATV’s broadcast licence. Chiu also Assistant Editor said the proposed new station would not compete head on with market leader Television Malena Amzah Broadcasts Ltd (TVB). (South China Morning Post, Hong Kong, 27 April 2015) [email protected] Research Manager CJ Yong We recognise that technology companies [email protected] and news organisations are part of the Editorial Research same information ecosystem and we want Aqilah Yunus to play our part in the common fight to find [email protected] ” Intern more sustainable models for news. Marilyn Wong Carlo D’Asaro Biondi, Head of Strategic Relationships, Europe, Google. Biondi was speak- ing about Google’s Digital News Initiative, which is an attempt to redefine its relationship Design with European media groups. The initiative follows accusations by European regulators that Rae Yong Google distorts internet search results and has acted anti-competitively. (The Guardian, U.K., 27 April 2015) Associate Publisher (Americas, Europe) and VP, International Business Development “Art may be an exclusive experience, Leah Gordon but the road to it should be open [email protected] to everyone. We believe that our Sales and Marketing (Asia) partnership with Bloomberg and Masliana Masron the launch of Brilliant Ideas will [email protected] further extend the boundaries of creativity and connect the interna- To receive your regular free copy tional audience with art.” of ContentAsia, Wonhong Cho, Hyundai Motor Company Executive Vice Presi- please email dent, speaking about the company’s new three-year partnership [email protected] with Bloomberg Television to create a global television series profiling major art personalities. The half-hour series premieres this month and will run for 25 episodes Published fortnightly by: a year. One living artist will be profiled in each episode. Artists include Japanese visual and Pencil Media Pte Ltd installation artist Mariko Mori, Indian painter NS Harsha, New Zealand sculptor and installation 730A Geylang Road artist Simon Denny and English sculptor and ceramic artist Grayson Perry. Singapore 389641 Tel: +65 6846-5987 Freedom of speech is the media’s common contentasia.tv right, but [Peace TV] must be responsible for asiacontentwatch.com the content it broadcasts as well, especially when the country needs reconciliation.” Copyright 2015 Pencil Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Thai Journalists Association (TJA) deputy president Supan Rakcher calling on Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to reconsider the MICA (P) 111/06/2013 revocation of red-shirt station Peace TV’s licence. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha was quoted as saying that he had “never prohibited the media from disseminating the news as long as it airs or publishes facts. If not, order must be restored among [media].” ( Post, 29 April 2015) c ntentasia Daily news with The wait is over.” ContentAsia Insider India’s Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) announcing the launch email [email protected] of the first set of data provided by the new audience measurement platform. for subscription details “For BARC India the journey has just started as we usher in a whole new era of intelligence and analytics,” BARC said. (29 April 2015)