SPT Networks, Asia & SPEJ Make More TV Magic In partnership with Charis Entertainment
06 December 2011, Singapore – Sony Pictures Television’s networks, Asia and Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan’s AXN Mystery Channel will be collaborating with Hong Kong-based media company Charis Entertainment to co-produce a new six-episode unscripted series targeted at both Japanese and the wider Asian audiences. This new series titled, Cyril’s Family Vacation, follows the successful debut of AXN’s original production Cyril: Simply Magic in 2009. Featuring Japan’s top illusionist Cyril Takayama in his first international TV debut outside of Japan, Cyril: Simply Magic captured the imagination of over 11 million viewers across Asia and propelled AXN to the No. 1* English pay-TV channel during its broadcast in Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan.
Cyril’s Family Vacation will be headlined by the enigmatic performer who has continued to be one of the most influential and provocative magicians in the world. Filmed exclusively in Hawaii, Cyril will be performing in real-life situations while holidaying with his ‘family’ on the picturesque island.
Charis Entertainment brings their expertise in creating and packaging television content for the Asian market and as a result, this original show concept is being developed with a business approach that pulls together different financing and distribution partners within Asia to create content specifically not just for Asian audiences but beyond. Charis Entertainment also brings Focus Group, the Hong Kong-based company founded by iconic and renowned actor Andy Lau, to the project. Focus Group will serve as executive producer alongside Cyril Takayama and Charis Entertainment’s Grace Chen.
Grace Chen, Founder of Charis Entertainment, said, “We are excited to have found great partners in Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan and Sony Pictures Television’s networks, Asia, and with the backing of one of Asia’s most successful actors and producers Andy Lau, and the talent of Cyril, we have an incredible team that is producing a show that is ‘made in Asia for Asia’. This partnership and business model will hopefully put us ahead of the curve in packaging content that is entertaining for the local market but can also travel beyond Asia.”
Added Ricky Ow, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Networks, Asia, Sony Pictures Television, “Cyril: Simply Magic was a huge success with our viewers who have since been clamoring to see more of him. We are thrilled to bring Cyril back to AXN again with new partners Charis Entertainment and Andy Lau’s company, Focus Group. Staying true to the spirit of AXN and Cyril, viewers can expect more of the unexpected in this new production – a totally different show that is highly entertaining and extremely innovative, and of course, mind blowing magic!”
Andy Lau commented, “As a fan of magic, I was intrigued by this new concept when it was presented by Charis, and working alongside Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan and Sony Pictures Television’s networks, Asia will be an excellent opportunity for Focus Group to diversify its existing business and create an entertaining show for China, Japan and the region, and hopefully a global audience as well.”
Shooting is slated to start on location in Hawaii at the start of 2012, with Cyril’s Family Vacation expected to debut in spring of 2012. Not only will the show provide audiences with a new take on the hugely popular magician, Cyril Takayama, it will also offer potential visitors to Hawaii shots of the region’s stunning scenery and vibrant energy.
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For more information, please contact:
Madison Communications for Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia
David Chau
+852 2881 1787
david@madisonmission.com
About AXN & AXN HD
AXN is the heart of action and adventure. Launched in 1997, AXN is a leading English general entertainment destination among upscale, affluent adults aged 18-39. The channel delivers top-rated drama series, blockbuster features, adventure-reality and first-run lifestyle sports programmes from around the world, as well as dynamic original productions. In 2010, AXN once again cemented its position as Southeast Asia’s No. 1 international channel with The Amazing Race Asia Season 4 and Hawaii Five-0 Season 1.
AXN is an international channel brand that started in Asia, but has since expanded to Latin America and Europe. It is available in 60 countries globally. In Asia, the channel is seen in more than 103 million households across 21 countries, including close to 50 million households on a time-block basis in China.
A provider of unparalleled quality in entertainment, AXN enhanced the viewer experience when it entered the high-definition arena with the launch of AXN HD in March 2009.
AXN ASIA is wholly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and managed by SPE Networks – Asia, which also operates pay-TV channels AXN BEYOND, ANIMAX, SONY ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION and ONE.
About Charis Entertainment
Charis Entertainment was founded in 2010 by Grace Chen, the former Managing Director of William Morris Asia, Inc. Based out of Hong Kong, Charis creates and packages television content aimed at the growing Asian market.
Charis’s unique value lies in its ability to recognize the differences in the TV markets of Japan, China, Asia and the U.S. and function as the nexus between them. Adopting the packaging approach of Hollywood and recognizing the unique financing and distribution models of Japan, China and Asia, Charis works with the relevant parties to execute the creative concept and create a full campaign across multiple platforms.
Charis not only imports existing and proven formats into China and Asia from mature content markets such as the U.S. Europe or Japan, but also creates original “made in Asia for Asia” formats that are more relevant to the local Asian audience.
About AXN Mystery
AXN Mystery is an entertainment channel operated by Mystery Channel Inc., a Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan’s subsidiary company, based in Tokyo, specializing in TV series and movies of the genre of ‘mystery’.
AXN Mystery delivers plenty of quality mystery dramas from all over the globe, from timeless masterpiece to the latest hit series. AXN Mystery’s programs include TV series based on the bestselling Swedish novels “Millennium” the immortal work “The Fugitive,” the long-run popular series “Columbo” and the latest series “Luther”, “The Defenders”, “WHITE COLLAR”, and so forth.
About Focus Group
Hong Kong-based Focus Group, founded by iconic actor, singer and producer Andy Lau, is a diverse entertainment company. The Group is active across all genres of entertainment including film production, distribution, artiste management, music, and live event production and promotion.
Focus Group’s reach into Mainland China further enhances its position as one of the leading and most influential entertainment groups in the Asia region. By leveraging its expertise and experience in producing award winning and critically acclaimed films such as “Gallants” and “A Simple Life”, Focus Group prides itself on being an innovator and trendsetter for the industry across all entertainment platforms.
Focus Group remains committed to creating great entertainment for audiences in China, Asia and beyond.
*Source: Kantar Media Singapore/Philippines, AGB NMR Malaysia/Taiwan, TAM India
Hong Kong, 1 December 2011 – CASBAA, in association with Campaign Asia Pacific, is to stage its inaugural TV Upfront – The Singapore Screenings on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at the Goodwood Park Hotel, Singapore. A half-day networking and preview experience for media buyers, agency heads and clients and led by the Asia TV Advertising Coalition (ATAC), the invitation-only presentations will promote pay-TV as an effective promotional tool for companies looking to maximize marketing budgets.
