Tag Archive for HBO

Jonathan Spink heads CASBAA Board 2017 as Regulatory, Content Development, Tech & Influence top CASBAA agenda

HBO Asia - Jonathan SpinkHong Kong, 06 Dec 2016 — Following its first meeting on 06 December, the CASBAA Board of Directors announced that Jonathan Spink, CEO of HBO Asia, has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors for the next 12 months.

With almost three decades of experience in the pay television industry, Jonathan Spink is responsible for the overall management of HBO in South East and South Asia. Under Spink’s leadership, HBO Asia has built a growing network of standard-definition and high-definition channels and services, as well as developing several groundbreaking original local productions.

Spink succeeds Sompan Charumilinda, Vice Chairman of TrueVisions, as Chairman of the CASBAA Board.  “Khun Sompan has been a Board member for more than a decade, and most recently, served diligently in his term as Chairman of the Board,” said Spink. “On behalf of my fellow Directors and the broader membership, we thank him for his guidance and insights over the years and we look forward to his continued contribution on the Association’s Board.”

Spink also welcomed new Directors elected during the Association’s 2016 AGM held 10 Nov in Macau; namely, Rohit D’Silva (FOX Networks Group Asia), Jonas Engwall (RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network), Marcel Fenez (Fenez Media), Todd Miller (Celestial Tiger Entertainment), Alexandre Muller (TV5MONDE), and Andrew Stott (Olswang Asia).  They join returning Directors Sompan Charumilinda (TrueVisions), Andrew Jordan (AsiaSat), Amit Malhotra (The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia), Ricky Ow (Turner International Asia Pacific), Mark Patterson (GroupM), Joe Welch (21st Century Fox), and Christopher Slaughter (CASBAA) to make up CASBAA’s  Board.

“With the multichannel TV industry in all its forms facing unprecedented challenges as well as opportunities in 2017,” Spink added, “the coming year promises to be busier than ever for CASBAA. I look forward to working with my fellow Directors and the CASBAA Executive Office to ensure that the work of the Association is relevant to all its Member companies, as they adapt to a rapidly developing operating environment.”

Following the announcement of the Chairman and Board of Directors 2017, CASBAA CEO Christopher Slaughter highlighted the increasingly broad Membership of the Association.  He noted that during 2016 several new members joined, including the Premier League, Rewind Networks, Nielsen, Strategic IP Information, Metrasat, Trilegal, and Kantar Media. Also during the year, TV5MONDE, Intelsat, RTL/CBS and INVIDI all upgraded to Patron status. “It is a delight to welcome these new additions across all our membership categories,” Slaughter said. “We are confident they will prove to be valuable additions to the CASBAA community, and we look forward to their participation in our activities and on our Committees.”

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About CASBAA 

CASBAA is the Asia Pacific region’s largest non-profit media association, serving the multi-channel audio-visual content creation and distribution industry.  Established in 1991, CASBAA has grown with the industry to include digital multichannel television, content, platforms, advertising, and video delivery. Encompassing some 500 million connections within a footprint across the region, CASBAA works to be the authoritative voice for multichannel TV; promoting even-handed and market-friendly regulation, IP protection and revenue growth for subscription and advertising, while promoting global best practices.  For more information, visit www.casbaa.com

For enquiries, please contact:

Cynthia Wong
Member Relations & Marketing Director, CASBAA
Tel: +852 3929 1711
Email: cynthia@casbaa.com

HBO Asia Original Martial Arts Movies With China Movie Channel Premiere Dates Announced

TV Movies To Premiere Same Day On China Movie Channel In China And Across Asia On HBO And RED BY HBO.

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Click hyperlink for trailer and images of “Master of the Drunken Fist: Beggar So”

Click hyperlink for trailer and images of “Master of the Shadowless Kick: Wong Kei-Ying”

SINGAPORE, OCTOBER 17, 2016 – The premiere dates of the inaugural HBO Asia Original anthology of martial arts action TV movies co-produced with China Movie Channel (CMC) were announced today. Both movies will premiere on the same day during primetime across Asia on HBO and RED BY HBO and in China on CMC’s premium subscription channel, CHC. “Master of the Drunken Fist: Beggar So” premieres at primetime this December 25 while “Master of the Shadowless Kick: Wong Kei-Ying” will debut a day later on December 26. This is the first time a China co-production movie will premiere on the same day in China as well as across the region. Both movies will also be available on HBO GO and HBO ON DEMAND in Asia, as well as on CCTV6 in China at a later date.

HBO Asia will be distributing1 the movies which were executive produced by Hong Kong action director, Corey Yuen (The Transporter, X-Men) outside of China while CMC handles distribution within the mainland. The trailers for both TV movies, which boast a cast of Chinese actors professionally trained in mixed martial arts, kung fu and muay thai, were revealed today.

The action-packed movies are set in ancient China at the end of the Qing dynasty. Shot in Chinese language in Hengdian, China, the movies will be dubbed in English with local language subtitles when they premiere in Asia on HBO. Concurrently, both movies will also debut at the same time on RED BY HBO in its original language with English subtitles. Both movies will air in original language in China.

The two TV movies were directed by Guo Jian-yong (国建勇) who specialises in martial arts movies and has choreographed the action sequences for Cradle 2 the Grave (2003), The Twins Effect II (2004), Red Cliff (2007) and Transporter I, II and III (2001; 2005; 2008).

The first movie in the anthology, “Master of the Drunken Fist: Beggar So”, stars Cao Jun (曹骏) [Lotus Lantern (宝莲灯); Magic Mobile Phone (魔幻手机)] as Beggar So Chan (苏乞儿). Due to a conspiracy, wealthy So Chan loses everything but is saved by the Beggars’ Sect. He learns the long lost martial art – Drunken Fist, to defeat the person who framed him.

Sun Hao-ran (孙浩然) [God of War, Zhao Yun (武神赵子龙)] stars in the titular role of Wong Kei-ying (黄麒英). A physician, he learns the legendary martial art – Shadowless Kick – to take down the ruthless and treacherous new governor of Canton in “Master of the Shadowless Kick: Wong Kei-Ying”.

Both movies were written by a team of writers from China, while award-winning Singaporean screenwriter, Koh Teng Liang, contributed to the screenplay of “Master of the Shadowless Kick: Wong Kei-Ying”.

These two anthology TV movies are one of four HBO Asia Original productions this year. The others include HBO Asia’s first returnable series HALFWORLDS Season 2 and HBO Asia’s first Taiwanese co-production, THE PSYCHIC.

1 For sales enquiries, please contact BeiBei Fan at beibei.fan@hboasia.com or call +65 6288 6303.

About HBO ASIA

Singapore-based HBO Asia brings the best of Hollywood to Asia first through its exclusive licensing deals with major Hollywood and independent studios, including Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, Warner Bros. and Lionsgate. HBO Asia has proprietary and award-winning HBO and HBO Asia Original programmes produced exclusively for HBO viewers. Wholly owned by HBO (a Time Warner company), HBO Asia reaches 23 territories across Asia with six 24-hour commercial-free subscription movie channels: HBO, HBO Signature, HBO Family, HBO Hits and Cinemax, as well as Red by HBO, internet streaming platform, HBO GO, subscription video on demand service, HBO On Demand, and in China, 鼎级剧场 (ding ji ju chang). HBO Asia is also the exclusive distributor of BabyFirst and the DreamWorks channel in the region. Log on to www.hboasia.com for more information.

About China Movie Channel (CMC)

China Movie Channel (CMC) is a media organisation directly subordinate to the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of P. R. China (SAPPRFT). Established in 1995, its services cover a wide range of areas, including broadcasting, content production, print media and new media. CMC’s flagship channel CCTV-6 is the only national movie network in China reaching over 1.09 billion people through basic subscription. CMC also offers 3 premium subscription channels, CHC Family, CHC Action and CHC HD, and has more than 2.8 million subscribers. CMC Channels have exclusive deals with all major Hollywood studios and over 95% of all Chinese movies and exclusive licensing deals with other European and Asian distributors. CMC is also the exclusive Chinese broadcaster for major international awards such as the Oscars®, Cannes Film Festival and the Golden Globes. CMC’s streaming site 1905.com is one of the top film streaming websites in China.

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HBO, Home Box Office and HBO Asia Originals are service marks of Home Box Office, Inc.

Media contract:

Karen Lai | Communications Director | HBO Asia 

DID +65 6381 1796 | Mobile +65 9111 2655 | Fax +65 6287 2210 | www.hboasia.com

New drama series Westworld Premieres same time as the U.S. debuts on Monday, Oct 3, at 9am (8am Thai/Jkt), with same day primetime encore at 9pm (8pm Thai/Jkt), exclusively on HBO

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SINGAPORE, September 26, 2016 – The brand-new one-hour drama series WESTWORLD and starring an ensemble cast including Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood and James Marsden, kicks off its ten-episode season premiere on Monday, Oct 3, at 9am (8am Thai/Jkt), exclusively on HBO, with same day primetime encore at 9pm (8pm Thai/Jkt). New episodes premiere on subsequent Mondays at the same time. WESTWORLD will also be available on HBO On Demand and HBO GO.

WESTWORLD is a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the evolution of sin, exploring a world in which every human appetite, no matter how noble or depraved, can be indulged. Created for television by Jonathan Nolan (“Interstellar,” “The Dark Knight,” “Person of Interest”) and Lisa Joy (“Pushing Daisies,” “Burn Notice”), both of whom are executive producing and writing, with Nolan also directing, the series was inspired by the 1973 motion picture “Westworld,” written and directed by Michael Crichton.

Co-creator Nolan explains, “Building on the incredibly evocative concept of the original film, we wanted to pose the question: If you could be completely immersed in a fantasy, one in which you could do whatever you wanted, would you discover things about yourself that you didn’t want to know?”

Co-creator Joy adds, “We also wanted to explore what it means to be human from the outside in – through the eyes of the ‘hosts’: the lifelike AI characters that are the main attractions of the park. It’s a meditation on consciousness – the blessing and the burden of it – beautifully portrayed by our remarkable cast.”

WESTWORLD’S exceptional ensemble of cast members

WESTWORLD stars Anthony Hopkins (Academy Award® winner for “The Silence of the Lambs”; Academy Award® nominee for “Remains of the Day,” “Nixon,” “Amistad”), Ed Harris (Golden Globe winner and Emmy® nominee for HBO’s “Game Change”; Academy Award® nominee for “Pollock,” “Apollo 13”), Evan Rachel Wood (Golden Globe nominee for “Thirteen”; Emmy® and Golden Globe nominee for HBO’s “Mildred Pierce”), James Marsden (the “X-Men” films), Thandie Newton (“Mission: Impossible II”) and Jeffrey Wright (HBO’s “Confirmation”; Emmy® and Golden Globe winner for HBO’s “Angels in America”).

The series also stars Tessa Thompson (“Creed”), Sidse Babett Knudsen (“Borgen”), Jimmi Simpson (HBO’s “The Newsroom”), Rodrigo Santoro (“Focus,” “The 33”), Shannon Woodward (“Raising Hope”), Ingrid Bolsø Berdal (“Chernobyl Diaries”), Ben Barnes (“The Chronicles of Narnia” films), Simon Quarterman (“The Devil Inside”), Angela Sarafyan (“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn”), Luke Hemsworth (“Infini”) and Clifton Collins, Jr. (“Star Trek”).

In the WESTWORLD universe

Among WESTWORLD’s main players are: Dr. Robert Ford (Anthony Hopkins), the brilliant, taciturn and complicated creative director, chief programmer and founder of Westworld, who has an uncompromising creative vision for the park. The Man in Black (Ed Harris) is the distillation of pure villainy into one man. Dolores Abernathy (Evan Rachel Wood) is a provincial, beautiful and kind rancher’s daughter, who begins to discover that her entire idyllic existence is an elaborately constructed lie.

Teddy Flood (James Marsden), a new arrival to a small frontier town, quickly proves both his charm and talent with a revolver. Beautiful, razor-sharp madam Maeve Millay (Thandie Newton) has a genius for reading people and a knack for survival, but her seen-it-all-before worldview is about to be challenged. Bernard Lowe (Jeffrey Wright) is the brilliant and quixotic head of the park’s Programming Division, whose keen observation of human nature provides him with boundless inspiration for his life’s work: creating artificial people.

Charlotte Hale (Tessa Thompson) is a mysterious and savvy provocateur with a unique perspective on Westworld. Theresa Cullen (Sidse Babett Knudsen), Westworld’s head of Quality Assurance, is responsible for keeping the park from sliding into unscripted chaos. A first-time visitor, William (Jimmi Simpson) is initially wary of the park’s more lascivious attractions, but slowly uncovers a deeper meaning.

Hector Escaton (Rodrigo Santoro), Westworld’s perennial “most wanted” bandit, subscribes to the theory that the West is a wild place, and the only way to survive is to embrace the role of predator. Elsie Hughes (Shannon Woodward), a sardonic rising star in the Behaviour Department, is charged with diagnosing the odd quirks of behaviour in the park’s hosts. Armistice (Ingrid Bolsø Berdal) is a savage fighter and brutal bandit, whose ruthlessness is surpassed only by her abiding loyalty to her fellow outlaws.

Logan (Ben Barnes) is a veteran guest whose hedonistic romp through the park is equally motivated by self-indulgence and a desire to help his friend, William. Lee Sizemore (Simon Quarterman) is the head of Narrative, whose storylines tantalise the guests, while his temperament grates on his colleagues. Clementine Pennyfeather (Angela Sarafyan), one of Westworld’s most popular attractions, is perfectly beguiling, by design.

Stubbs (Luke Hemsworth) is the no-nonsense head of Security, charged with monitoring host and human interactions and ensuring the safety of the guests. Lawrence (Clifton Collins, Jr.), a charming but lethal outlaw, has a knack for manoeuvring and negotiating the various criminal elements of Westworld.

 

WESTWORLD cast and crew video interviews

In addition, six video interviews with the cast and crew of WESTWORLD are also available for your viewing and use. Below are the links:

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About HBO ASIA

Singapore-based HBO Asia brings the best of Hollywood to Asia first through its exclusive licensing deals with major Hollywood and independent studios, including Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, Warner Bros. and Lionsgate. HBO Asia has proprietary and award-winning HBO and HBO Asia Original programmes produced exclusively for HBO viewers. Wholly owned by HBO (a Time Warner company), HBO Asia reaches 23 territories across Asia with six 24-hour commercial-free subscription movie channels: HBO, HBO Signature, HBO Family, HBO Hits, Cinemax and Red by HBO, internet streaming platform, HBO GO, subscription video on demand service, HBO On Demand, and in China, 鼎级剧场 (ding ji ju chang). HBO Asia is also the exclusive distributor of BabyFirst and the DreamWorks channel in the region. Log on to www.hboasia.com for more information.

WESTWORLD, HBO, HBO GO, HBO On Demand and Home Box Office are service marks of Home Box Office, Inc. Used with permission.

 

For more information, please contact HBO Asia:

Karen Lai

Director, Communications

Tel: (65) 6381 1796

Email: karen.lai@hboasia.com

 

Shermaine Wong

Manager, Communications

Tel: (65) 6381 1838

Email: Shermaine.Wong@hboasia.com

 

Chan Zi Ning

Executive, Communications

Tel: (65) 6381 1746

Email: zining.chan@hboasia.com

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With two kung fu films, HBO cautiously tests the waters in China

Jonathan Spink, CEO of HBO Asia

Jonathan Spink, CEO of HBO Asia attends the “2nd Global Film Industry Value Chain Development Forum” during the 18th Shanghai International Film Festival on June 15, 2015. (Photo by VCG via Getty Images)

For American film and TV show creators and distributors, it hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing in China recently.

Online video portals have been ordered to limit foreign films and TV shows to 30% of their offerings, driving down licensing fees. Authorities are discouraging broadcasters from using imported TV formats to make programs such as “The Voice of China.” This spring, the government closed down Walt Disney Co.’s movie streaming service, and Apple’s as well.

That hasn’t discouraged HBO from testing the waters. On a steamy August morning, HBO Asia Chief Executive Jonathan Spink was tromping around Hengdian World Studios, China’s largest film and TV production base, passing popsicles around an outdoor set where filming was wrapping up on the premium channel’s first two original productions in China.

In the grove of bamboo, a dummy corpse dripping with fake blood perched on a fence as cicadas buzzed in the trees.  Another mannequin, hog-tied and strung up by a rope, dangled from a tree over a bed of large spikes. But this was no Chinese version of “Game of Thrones.” HBO Asia is moving cautiously out of the gate, with two made-for-TV kung fu movies, “Master of the Drunken Fist: Beggar So” and “Master of the Shadowless Kick: Wong Kei-ying.”

The Mandarin-language films are being co-produced with China Movie Channel, a division of state broadcaster China Central Television, or CCTV. China Movie Channel, also known as CCTV6, will handle distribution on the mainland, while HBO will air the films across Asia.

HBO Announces Premiere Dates Of Westworld, Insecure And Divorce

HBO Renews BALLERS For Third Season

SINGAPORE, JULY 31, 2016 – HBO has announced the premiere dates of three brand-new HBO Original series – WESTWORLD, INSECURE AND DIVORCE, which will premiere at the same time as the U.S. on HBO in October.

In addition, HBO has renewed the comedy series BALLERS for a third season. “Dwayne Johnson, Stephen Levinson, Mark Wahlberg and the rest of the BALLERS team have once again delivered a winner for our viewers,” said Casey Bloys, president, HBO Programming. “We look forward to another great season of BALLERS next year.”

WESTWORLD

Season premiere on HBO same time as the U.S. Monday, October 3 at 9am with a same day primetime encore at 9pm. Also available on HBO GO.

Inspired by the motion picture of the same name, this HBO original drama series is a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the future of sin. Set at the intersection of the near future and the reimagined past, it explores a world in which every human appetite, no matter how noble or depraved, can be indulged.

Westworld features a strong cast of award-winning actors and actresses, including Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Jeffrey Wright, James Marsden, Rodrigo Santoro, Clifton Collins, Jr., Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, Tessa Thompson and Sidse Babett Knudsen.

DIVORCE

Season premiere on HBO same time as the U.S. Monday, October 10 at 10am with a same day primetime encore at 10pm. Also available on HBO GO.

Award-winning actress Sarah Jessica Parker returns to HBO in this new comedy series about a very, very long divorce. Here, she stars as Frances, a woman who suddenly begins to reassess her life and her marriage, and finds that making a clean break and a fresh start is harder than she thought.

The show also stars Thomas Haden Church, Molly Shannon, Talia Balsam, Tracy Letts, Sterling Jerins and Charlie Kilgore.

INSECURE

Season premiere on HBO same time as the U.S. Monday, October 10 at 10.30am with a same day primetime encore at 10.30pm. Also available on HBO GO.

This eight-episode half-hour HBO comedy series looks at the friendship of two African American black women and their uncomfortable experiences and racy tribulations. Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis and Lisa Joyce star.

BALLERS

Catch new episodes of Season 2 on HBO same time as the US every Monday at 10am, with a same day primetime encore at 10pm. Also available on HBO GO.

Looking at the whirlwind lifestyles and real-life problems of former and current football players, BALLERS stars Dwayne Johnson as ex-superstar Spencer Strasmore, who has reinvented himself as a financial manager for today’s players in sun-soaked Miami.

Created by Stephen Levinson (HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”), the hit comedy series kicked off its ten-episode second season July 18 in Asia. In the U.S., the premiere episode of the new season is already at 5.7 million viewers, with only preliminary data available. BALLERS’ first season in the U.S. went on to average 9.1 million viewers in gross audience – HBO’s biggest half-hour in six years.

In addition to Dwayne Johnson, the cast on season two of BALLERS includes Rob Corddry, John David Washington, Omar Benson Miller, Donovan Carter, Troy Garity, Jazmyn Simon, London Brown, Arielle Kebbel, Dulé Hill, Richard Schiff and Andy Garcia.

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About HBO ASIA

Singapore-based HBO Asia brings the best of Hollywood to Asia first through its exclusive licensing deals with major Hollywood and independent studios, including Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, Warner Bros. and Lionsgate. HBO Asia has proprietary and award-winning HBO and HBO Asia Original programmes produced exclusively for HBO viewers. Wholly owned by HBO (a Time Warner company), HBO Asia reaches 23 territories across Asia with six 24-hour commercial-free subscription movie channels: HBO, HBO Signature, HBO Family, HBO Hits, Cinemax and Red by HBO, internet streaming platform, HBO GO, subscription video on demand service, HBO On Demand, and in China, 鼎级剧场 (ding ji ju chang). HBO Asia is also the exclusive distributor of BabyFirst and the DreamWorks channel in the region. Log on to www.hboasia.com for more information.

HBO and Home Box Office are service marks on Home Box Office, Inc. Used with permission.

Karen Lai | Communications Director | HBO Asia 

DID +65 6381 1796 | Mobile +65 9111 2655 | Fax +65 6287 2210 | www.hboasia.com

HBO Asia Increases Output of Chinese Language Productions: New Series Developed With Taiwan’s Public Television Service and Singapore’s Infocus Asia

HBO Asia Original THE PSYCHIC - Starring Yao Yao and Kent Tsai

SINGAPORE, JULY 19, 2016 – Principal photography begins today for HBO Asia’s first production in Taiwan, THE PSYCHIC, jointly developed with Taiwanese broadcaster, Public Television Service (PTS), and award-winning Singaporean production company, InFocus Asia (IFA).

Set and filmed fully on-location in Taiwan, HBO Asia’s six-part hour-long series is based on the award-winning short film from PTS’s Innovative Stories, The Busy Young Psychic, which won Best Short Film at the Taipei Film Festival, and the Golden Bell Awards for Best Editing. THE PSYCHIC series is conceived by InFocus Asia (IFA) with 29-year-old rising Taiwanese writer-director, Chen Ho-Yu, who also wrote and directed the short film.

A coming of age story shot in Chinese with dialect, THE PSYCHIC will debut early 2017 on PTS, and across 23 territories on HBO, with subtitles where relevant.

Jonathan Spink, CEO of HBO Asia, said, “Asia’s rich diversity offers inspiration for countless of stories waiting to be told, and local talents to be discovered. Through collaborating with PTS and remarkable talents in Taiwan to increase our production of local language content, HBO Asia is perfectly placed to bring our creative spin to THE PSYCHIC for regional audiences to enjoy.”

Jessie Shih, Director of International Department, PTS, said: “I am very happy to announce PTS’s first collaboration with HBO Asia on their first Chinese original series, also their first Taiwan series, working with a young and upcoming local team, bridging the gap between television and film with the talented mix of crew and actors. Cultivating local young talents and helping them to connect with the international industry is PTS’s top priority, like our Innovative Stories and Life stories which have won many regional and international awards. I believe this new HBO – PTS collaboration, in partnership with IFA’s Singapore and Taipei creative team who have always done great work with PTS, will lead the local Taiwanese industry to greater heights!”

In THE PSYCHIC, Xiao Zhen (played by Taiwanese singer-actress Yao Yao, Golden Horse Award winner for Best New Performer) is a 16-year-old girl who just wants to lead a typical teenage high school life. But, born with the ability to see spirits, her life will never be normal. Xiao Zhen must juggle the pressures of teenage life – first love, academic success and peer pressure – with the demands of the spirit world. As Xiao Zhen learns to use her abilities to help the living deal with their loved ones on the other side – spirits who are lost, forgotten, angry or just crying out for help – this teenager finds that fixing other people’s problems gives her the strength she needs to navigate high school and her first major romantic encounter. But Xiao Zhen’s powers become a danger for her as others seek to use her abilities for their own greed.

Other cast regulars include Kent Tsai (Mon Mon Mon Monsters) and Chen Mu Yi (Comes The Black Dog).

THE PSYCHIC is HBO Asia’s first Taiwanese production. The network has collaborated with creative talents from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand and the US on various English language productions, including the fantasy series, Halfworlds, recently renewed for a second season, which is concurrently being shot.

Within the same week, HBO Asia announced a first collaboration with China Movie Channel on an anthology of Chinese martial arts movies, with Hong Kong action director, Corey Yuen, executive producing the first two movies.

 

About HBO ASIA

Singapore-based HBO Asia brings the best of Hollywood to Asia first through its exclusive licensing deals with major Hollywood and independent studios, including Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, Warner Bros. and Lionsgate. HBO Asia has proprietary and award-winning HBO and HBO Asia Original programmes produced exclusively for HBO viewers. Wholly owned by HBO (a Time Warner company), HBO Asia reaches 23 territories across Asia with six 24-hour commercial-free subscription movie channels: HBO, HBO Signature, HBO Family, HBO Hits, Cinemax and Red by HBO, internet streaming platform, HBO GO, subscription video on demand service, HBO On Demand, and in China, 鼎级剧场 (ding ji ju chang). HBO Asia is also the exclusive distributor of BabyFirst and the DreamWorks channel in the region. Log on to www.hboasia.com for more information.

 

About Public Television Service (PTS)

With the passage of the Public Television Act by the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan Public Television Service Foundation (PTS Foundation) was established as a non-profit foundation to operate the Public Television Service (PTS), which started broadcast on July 1, 1998. The chief objective of PTS is to establish a public service mass media system. As an independent public service broadcaster trust by the public, PTS aims to provide value-added quality programming services covering a wide range of categories to present the diversity and creativity in Taiwan.

 

About InFocus Asia (IFA)

IFA Media is one of Asia’s premier content producers, producing award-winning factual and drama that rates across the world. The company is headquartered in Singapore with four offices across the region (Bangkok, Beijing and Taipei).

Emmy®- and Golden Globe-winning HBO Series Game of Thrones to begin production on Season 7 this summer

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SINGAPORE, JULY 19, 2016 – The Emmy®– and Golden Globe-winning series GAME OF THRONES will begin shooting its next season later this summer, it was announced today by Casey Bloys, president, HBO programming. Production of the seven-episode seventh season will be based in Northern Ireland, while additional portions will be filmed in Spain and Iceland, with debut slated for summer 2017 on HBO (StarHub TV Ch 601).

“Now that winter has arrived on GAME OF THRONES, executive producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss felt that the storylines of the next season would be better served by starting production a little later than usual, when the weather is changing,” said Bloys. “Instead of the show’s traditional spring debut, we’re moving the debut to summer to accommodate the shooting schedule.”

Season seven directors will include Mark Mylod, Jeremy Podeswa, Matt Shakman and Alan Taylor.

Locations for shooting in Spain will include Sevilla, Caceres, Almodovar del Rio, Santiponce, Zumaia and Bermeo.

Last week, GAME OF THRONES received 23 Primetime Emmy® nominations, the most of any nominee for the third year in a row. This year’s nominations include Outstanding Drama Series, 2 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington), 3 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Emilia Clarke, Lena Headey, Maisie Williams), Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (Max von Sydow), 2 for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (Miguel Sapochnik, Jack Bender) and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (David Benioff and D.B. Weiss).

Season seven credits: The executive producers of GAME OF THRONES are David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Carolyn Strauss, Frank Doelger and Bernadette Caulfield; co-executive producers, Guymon Casady, Vince Gerardis, George R.R. Martin and Bryan Cogman; producers, Chris Newman, Greg Spence and Lisa McAtackney.
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About HBO ASIA

Singapore-based HBO Asia brings the best of Hollywood to Asia first through its exclusive licensing deals with major Hollywood and independent studios, including Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, Warner Bros. and Lionsgate. HBO Asia has proprietary and award-winning HBO and HBO Asia Original programmes produced exclusively for HBO viewers. Wholly owned by HBO (a Time Warner company), HBO Asia reaches 23 territories across Asia with six 24-hour commercial-free subscription movie channels: HBO, HBO Signature, HBO Family, HBO Hits, Cinemax and Red by HBO, internet streaming platform, HBO GO, subscription video on demand service, HBO On Demand, and in China, 鼎级剧场 (ding ji ju chang). HBO Asia is also the exclusive distributor of BabyFirst and the DreamWorks channel in the region. Log on to www.hboasia.com for more information.

HBO received 94 Primetime Emmy® nominations, the most of any network this year

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SINGAPORE, JULY 15, 2016 – HBO received 94 Primetime Emmy® nominations, the most of any network for the 16th year in a row, for the upcoming 68th Primetime Emmy Awards®, which were announced last night in Los Angeles.

“Game of Thrones” led all nominees for the third year in a row with 23 nominations, while “Veep” received 17 nominations, and “Silicon Valley” received 11 nominations.

HBO’s Emmy® nominations this year include:

  • 23 nominations for “Game of Thrones,” including Outstanding Drama Series, 2 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Peter Dinklage, Kit Harington), 3 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Emilia Clarke, Lena Headey, Maisie Williams), Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (Max von Sydow), 2 for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (Miguel Sapochnik, Jack Bender) and Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series (David Benioff and D.B. Weiss).

Season six of GAME OF THRONES airs every Monday at 8.30pm from August 8 on HBO SIGNATURE. Or watch it anytime anywhere on HBO GO.

  • 17 nominations for “Veep,” including Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), 2 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Tony Hale, Matt Walsh), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Anna Chlumsky), 2 for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (Martin Mull, Peter MacNichol), 3 for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (Chris Addison, Dave Mandel, Dale Stern) and 2 for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (David Mandel; Alex Gregory and Peter Huyck).

Catch the season five marathon of VEEP this July 23 at 12 noon on HBO SIGNATURE. Or watch it anytime anywhere on HBO GO.

  • 11 nominations for “Silicon Valley,” including Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Thomas Middleditch), 2 for Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (Alec Berg, Mike Judge) and 2 for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (Alec Berg, Dan O’Keefe).

 Catch the season three marathon of SILICON VALLEY tomorrow, July 16 at 12 noon on HBO SIGNATURE. Or watch it anytime anywhere on HBO GO.

  • 8 nominations for “All the Way,” including Outstanding Television Movie, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie (Bryan Cranston), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie (Melissa Leo) and Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or a Dramatic Special (Jay Roach).

ALL THE WAY airs September 17 at 10pm on HBO SIGNATURE. Or watch it anytime anywhere on HBO GO.

  • 6 nominations for “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,” including Outstanding Variety Talk Series, Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series (Paul Pennolino) and Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series.

Catch LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER anytime anywhere on HBO GO.

  • 3 nominations for “Vice,” including Outstanding Informational Series or Special.

 Catch season one of VICE anytime anywhere on HBO GO.

  • 2 nominations for “Confirmation,” including Outstanding Television Movie and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie (Kerry Washington).

CONFIRMATION airs September 24 at 12.05am on HBO SIGNATURE. Or watch it anytime anywhere on HBO GO.

  • 2 nominations for “Getting On,” including Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (Laurie Metcalf) and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Niecy Nash).

 Catch season three of GETTING ON anytime anywhere on HBO GO.

  • 2 nominations for “Project Greenlight,” including Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program.

 Catch PROJECT GREENLIGHT anytime anywhere on HBO GO.

  • 2 nominations for “Vinyl.”

 Watch the season finale of VINYL tonight July 15 at 10pm on HBO SIGNATURE. Or watch it anytime anywhere on HBO GO.

 

Other HBO nominees include:

  • 4 nominations for “Lemonade,” including Outstanding Variety Special and Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special (Beyoncé Knowles Carter, Kahlil Joseph).
  • 3 nominations for “Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo,” including Outstanding Variety Special, Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special (Chris Rock) and Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special (Amy Schumer).
  • 2 nominations for “Mapplethorpe: Look at the Pictures,” including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special.
  • 2 nominations for “Everything Is Copy – Nora Ephron: Scripted & Unscripted,” including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special and Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction Program (Jacob Bernstein).

In addition to: “Becoming Mike Nichols,” “Game of Thrones Main Title 360 Experience,” “Jim: The James Foley Story,” “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill,” “Real Time with Bill Maher,” “Tig Notaro: Boyish Girl Interrupted” and “True Detective.”

The CINEMAX series “The Knick” also received 4 nominations, including Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (Steven Soderbergh).

Catch THE KNICK anytime anywhere on HBO GO.

The Primetime Emmy® Awards will be announced Sept. 19 (Asian time).

 

#         #          #

About HBO ASIA

Singapore-based HBO Asia brings the best of Hollywood to Asia first through its exclusive licensing deals with major Hollywood and independent studios, including Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, Warner Bros. and Lionsgate. HBO Asia has proprietary and award-winning HBO and HBO Asia Original programmes produced exclusively for HBO viewers. Wholly owned by HBO (a Time Warner company), HBO Asia reaches 23 territories across Asia with six 24-hour commercial-free subscription movie channels: HBO, HBO Signature, HBO Family, HBO Hits, Cinemax and Red by HBO, internet streaming platform, HBO GO, subscription video on demand service, HBO On Demand, and in China, 鼎级剧场 (ding ji ju chang). HBO Asia is also the exclusive distributor of BabyFirst and the DreamWorks channel in the region. Log on to www.hboasia.com for more information.

HBO and Home Box Office are service marks on Home Box Office, Inc. Used with permission.
For more information, please contact HBO Asia:

Karen Lai

Director, Communications

Tel: (65) 6381 1796

Email: karen.lai@hboasia.com

 

Angela Poh

Manager, Communications

Tel: (65) 6381 1838

Email: angela.poh@hboasia.com

 

Chan Zi Ning

Executive, Communications

Tel: (65) 6381 1746

Email: zining.chan@hboasia.com

New HBO Comedy Series: Vice Principals debuts same time as the U.S. Exclusively on HBO

SINGAPORE, JULY 4, 2016 – Created by Danny R. McBride and Jody Hill, who also created HBO’s “Eastbound & Down,” along with Ben Best, VICE PRINCIPALS tells the story of North Jackson High School and the two people who almost run it, the vice principals.

This brand-new HBO Original comedy series kicks off its nine-episode first season in Asia on MONDAY, JULY 18 at 10.30am, with same day primetime encore at 10.30pm, exclusively on HBO. New episodes debut every Monday on HBO at the same time after Ballers. The series will also be available on HBO GO (where available).

When the long-time principal of a suburban high school steps down, ambitious vice principals Neal Gamby and Lee Russell both set their sights on the vacated top spot – only to see new rival Dr. Belinda Brown enter the picture. Putting their mutual disdain aside, these bitter antagonists form an unholy alliance to bring down the outsider by any means necessary.

Winner of the 2016 Audience Award at South by Southwest, McBride (“Eastbound & Down,” “This Is the End”) and Walton Goggins (Emmy® nominee for “Justified”; “The Hateful Eight”) star as the school administrators, who are in an epic power struggle, vying for the top spot: to be school principal. Joining McBride and Hill as executive producer and director is long-time collaborator, David Gordon Green.

Told over the course of a single school year, the first season takes place during the fall, with the second season to cover the spring term. “Finally, a tale of the unsung hero in every child’s education,” says McBride. “No one will look at high school administrators the same again.”

“Knowing that Danny and Jody were going to be bringing Neal Gamby and Lee Russell into the world made retiring Kenny Powers a little bit easier,” observes Amy Gravitt, executive vice president, HBO Programming. “Nobody else creates characters like these two. We are so proud that HBO is their home and we can’t wait for everyone to see their take on high school.”

In addition to McBride (Neal Gamby) and Goggins (Lee Russell), VICE PRINCIPALS also stars Kimberly Hébert Gregory (“Devious Maids”) as Dr. Belinda Brown; Georgia King (“The New Normal”) as English teacher Amanda Snodgrass; Busy Phillips (“Cougar Town”) as Gale, Gamby’s hot, trashy ex-wife; Shea Whigham (HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”) as Ray, Gale’s nice-guy new husband; and Sheaun McKinney (“Know Thy Enemy”) as cafeteria worker, Dayshawn.

Guest stars on the first season include Bill Murray (Oscar® nominee for “Lost in Translation”) as outgoing Principal Welles; Susan Park (“Fargo”) as Christine, Russell’s wife; and Maya Love as Janelle, Gamby’s daughter.

 

VICE PRINCIPALS S101: “The Principal”

Premieres Monday, July 18 at 10.30am on HBO

Other HBO playdates: July 18 (10.30pm), July 21 (11.50pm)

When the principal of a high school retires, his two vice principals go to extremes to land the vacant job.

Written by Danny R. McBride & Jody Hill; directed by Jody Hill.

 

VICE PRINCIPALS S102: “A Trusty Steed”

Premieres Monday, July 25 at 10.30am on HBO

Other HBO playdates: July 25 (10.30pm), July 28 (midnight)

Gamby (Danny McBride) and Russell (Walton Goggins) invade Dr. Brown’s (Kimberly Hébert Gregory) private space; a school evaluator spooks the vice principals.

Written by Danny R. McBride & John Carcieri; directed by Jody Hill.

 

VICE PRINCIPALS S103: “The Field Trip”

Premieres Monday, August 1 at 10.30am on HBO

Other HBO playdates: Aug. 1 (10.30pm), Aug. 4 (11.25pm)

Gamby (Danny McBride) looks to impress Amanda (Georgia King) on a field trip organized by Mr. Hayden (Mike O’Gorman), a good-guy history teacher.

Written by Danny R. McBride, John Carcieri & Adam Countee; directed by Danny McBride.

Shot in and around Charleston, SC, the first season of VICE PRINCIPALS will be followed by a second season of nine episodes. Rolling Stone has already declared it “the summer’s best new comedy,” and Entertainment Weekly says that “watching this comedy is homework you’ll actually look forward to!”

The executive producers of VICE PRINCIPALS are Danny McBride, Jody Hill, David Gordon Green, Jonathan Watson and Stephanie Laing.

#          #          #

About HBO ASIA

Singapore-based HBO Asia brings the best of Hollywood to Asia first through its exclusive licensing deals with major Hollywood and independent studios, including Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, Warner Bros. and Lionsgate. HBO Asia has proprietary and award-winning HBO and HBO Asia Original programmes produced exclusively for HBO viewers. Wholly owned by HBO (a Time Warner company), HBO Asia reaches 23 territories across Asia with six 24-hour commercial-free subscription movie channels: HBO, HBO Signature, HBO Family, HBO Hits, Cinemax and Red by HBO, internet streaming platform, HBO GO, subscription video on demand service, HBO On Demand, and in China, 鼎级剧场 (ding ji ju chang), destination for HBO’s hit series and Hollywood movies. HBO Asia is also the exclusive distributor of BabyFirst and the DreamWorks channel in the region. Log on to www.hboasia.com for more information.

VICE PRINCIPALS, HBO and Home Box Office are trademarks of Home Box Office, Inc. Used with permission


For more information, please contact HBO Asia:

 

Karen Lai

Director, Communications

Tel: (65) 6381 1796

Email: karen.lai@hboasia.com

 

Angela Poh

Manager, Communications

Tel: (65) 6381 1838

Email: angela.poh@hboasia.com

 

Chan Zi Ning

Executive, Communications

Tel: (65) 6381 1746

Email: zining.chan@hboasia.com

HBO Asia releases first episodes of “THE NIGHT OF” and Season Two of “BALLERS” for non-subscribers to watch on HBOasia.com

Sample two new HBO Original Series for free this July

SINGAPORE, JUNE 28, 2016 – Known and loved by fans worldwide for its premium Emmy®-winning shows, HBO Asia has just announced that the network will release the first episodes of its new miniseries, THE NIGHT OF, and the new season of BALLERS, with subtitles where available, for non-subscribers in *19 Asian territories including Singapore and Hong Kong, to sample for free this July.

 

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THE NIGHT OF

From July 18 for a week, the first episode of THE NIGHT OF will be on HBO Asia’s website (www.hboasia.com) and YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/HBOAsia) for all to watch.

A riveting new eight-part HBO Original miniseries about the intricacies of a complex New York City murder case with cultural and political overtones, HBO subscribers get to watch THE NIGHT OF first, when it premieres in Asia the same time as the US – Monday, July 11 at 9am (8am Thai.Jkt), with a same day primetime encore at 9pm (8pm Thai.Jkt) on HBO.

Starring John Turturro and Riz Ahmed, and based on the British drama series, “Criminal Justice”, HBO’s THE NIGHT OF is created by Steven Zaillian (“Schindler’s List”) and Richard Price (HBO’s “The Wire”), executive produced by Zaillian, Price, Jane Tranter, Peter Moffat and the late James Gandolfini. Directed by Zaillian and James Marsh from teleplays by Price and Zaillian.

 

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BALLERS

From July 25 for two weeks, the first episode of BALLERS will be released on HBO Asia’s website (www.hboasia.com) for all to stream.

Looking at the whirlwind lifestyles and real-life problems of former and current football players, BALLERS stars Dwayne Johnson as ex-superstar Spencer Strasmore, who has reinvented himself as a financial manager for today’s players in sun-soaked Miami. Andy Garcia joins the show this season as a new cast member.

Created by Stephen Levinson (HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”), HBO’s hit comedy series kicks off its ten-episode second season in Asia the same time as the US – Monday, July 18 at 10am (9am Thai.Jkt), with a same day primetime encore at 10pm (9pm Thai.Jkt) on HBO.

 

THE NIGHT OF and BALLERS will also be on HBO GO and HBO On Demand (in territories where available). More information on these titles can be found in the press releases attached.

*19 Asian territories: 

Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. 

 

#          #          #

ABOUT HBO ASIA

Singapore-based HBO Asia brings the best of Hollywood to Asia first through its exclusive licensing deals with major Hollywood and independent studios, including Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, Warner Bros. and Lionsgate. HBO Asia has proprietary and award-winning HBO and HBO Asia Original programmes that are produced exclusively for HBO viewers. Wholly owned by HBO (a Time Warner company), HBO Asia reaches 23 territories across Asia and offers a bouquet of channels and services including 24-hour commercial-free subscription movie channels in standard-definition and high-definition – HBO, HBO SIGNATURE, HBO FAMILY, HBO HITS, CINEMAX and RED by HBO – as well as HBO GO and HBO ON DEMAND. HBO Asia is also the exclusive distributor of BabyFirst and the DreamWorks channel in Asia. Log on to www.hboasia.com for more information.

HBO and Home Box Office are service marks of Home Box Office, Inc. Used with permission

 

For more information, please contact HBO Asia:

Karen Lai

Director, Communications

Tel: (65) 6381 1796

Email: karen.lai@hboasia.com


Angela Poh

Manager, Communications

Tel: (65) 6381 1838

Email: angela.poh@hboasia.com

 

Chan Zi Ning

Executive, Communications

Tel: (65) 6381 1746

Email: zining.chan@hboasia.com

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