Asia’s leading pay-TV network has secured the rights from New Classics Media to broadcast the drama series worldwide outside of mainland China
June 10, 2016 – Shanghai – FOX Networks Group Asia (FNG) announced today that it has signed a deal with renowned China-based production house New Classic Media (NCM) for the exclusive rights to broadcast and distribute the drama series Ruyi’s Love In The Palace (如懿传) outside of mainland China. Ruyi’s Love In The Palace, the sequel of the mega award-winning and successful show Empresses In The Palace, is the first epic period drama secured by FNG for markets outside China, and it will be carried by STAR Chinese Channel (SCC), the flagship Chinese general entertainment channel. The deal further reinforces FNG’s commitment to bringing quality Chinese content to the region and beyond.
Since 2014, FNG has successfully collaborated with NCM on several television series and films, including Tiger Mom, May December Love 2, Go Lala Go 2, and Meet Miss Anxiety. Ruyi’s Love In The Palace is a special joint project under which FNG and NCM have worked closely for 360 degree programming strategies, from co-production to broadcasting and promotion strategies.
Empresses In The Palace, the prequel of Ruyi’s Love In The Palace, was aired in 2011 and was praised for being one of the best period dramas produced in mainland China in recent years. It received 39 awards out of 69 award/festival nominations in 2012, including the most coveted China TV Golden Eagle Award – The Best TV series and Shanghai Television Festival – Best Director & TV Drama Award (Made in China) – Best Supporting Actress, and it also received a nomination for Best Actress at the prestigious International Emmy Awards. The series was distributed across major platforms in various countries, including Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong, and it was acquired by HBO, which remade it into a shorter version for the US market and sold it to Netflix. The extraordinary success of Empresses In The Palace has made Ruyi the most anticipated sequel with a large and loyal following not just in mainland China but across the globe.
Ruyi’s Love In The Palace will start production in August 2016. This 90-episode period drama depicts a royal romance in the palace at the time of the Yongzheng Emperor’s passing and during the Qianlong Emperor’s rise to the throne. Ruyi, like Empresses, is also an adaptation from a novel by Liu Lian ZI novel under the same title. Leading the cast is Zhou XUN (周迅) in the role of the titular character, alongside Wallace HUO (霍建华), who plays the role of the Qianlong Emperor. XUN is widely known for her acting prowess, winning international awards for her roles in Suzhou River and Balzac and The Little Chinese Seamstress, and is considered one of the “Four Dan Actresses”, i.e. the four most bankable actresses in China. Meanwhile, HUO rose to fame as an actor for his roles in the dramas Go Yi Yi Go and Detective Tanglang.
For the rights in mainland China, Ruyi’s Love In The Palace was acquired by Dragon TV, Jiangsu TV and Tencent (online rights).
FNG aims to offer global audiences quality Chinese TV programmes through acquisition deals such as Ruyi’s Love In The Palace. The network’s global presence and extensive experience in international broadcasting, packaging and marketing will ensure the series will successfully reach audiences in markets including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea, Australasia, Europe, North and South America, Middle East and Africa
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About STAR Chinese Channel (SCC)
STAR CHINESE CHANNEL is the leading Chinese language channel produced elaborately by FNG. It is an integrated family entertainment channel especially designed for the Chinese audience. For a long time, STAR CHINESE CHANNEL continues to be the popular channel among the Chinese audiences worldwide. Various types of programs are presented on STAR CHINESE CHANNEL, including games, interviews, exteriors, delicacies and exciting dramatic programs.
About FOX Networks Group
FOX Networks Group (FNG) is 21st Century FOX’s international multi-media business. We develop, produce and distribute 300+ wholly- and majority-owned entertainment, sports, factual and movie channels in 45 languages across Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. FNG’s core channel brands include FOX, FOX Sports, FOX Life, FOX+ and National Geographic Channel. FNG’s movie channels include FOX Movies, FOX Movies Premium and SCM (formerly Star Chinese Movies). Our non-linear brands include FOX Play, FOX Play+ and Nat Geo Play. These networks and their related mobile, non-linear and high- definition extensions, reach over 1.825 billion cumulative households worldwide. In addition, FNG owns and operates two production studios and produces thousands of local programming hours for its wholly owned channels and third parties.
About New Classics Media
Founded in 2007, New Classics Media has dedicated itself to making film and television series. Over the past few years, NCM has established strong relationships by working with many prominent directors and scriptwriters. NCM has earned recognition and praise in the film and TV industries due to its professional team, rich experience, and excellent human resources. NCM aims to become a leading film and television company in China.
Media Inquiries:
Kelly Jang
Vice President, Marketing & Communications | FOX Networks Group Asia
kelly.jang@fox.com | Tel: +852.2621.8875