Premieres First Original Production: “We are Asia – Dean Fujioka & Friends”
Set to Broadcast Nippon TV’s “The Music Day 2016 – Beginning of Summer” Live from Japan on July 2
SINGAPORE (June 29, 2016) – GEM, the joint-venture entertainment channel between Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks and Nippon Television Network Corporation (Nippon TV), announced today the expansion of its distribution to Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore, making the channel available to viewers on over 10 pay-TV platforms across six markets in Asia.
Since its launch in 2015, GEM has carved a niche in the premium Asian entertainment space offering first-run and exclusive dramas, comedies and variety entertainment shows from Japan and other northeast Asian markets. Earlier this month, the channel made its foray into original production with the global premiere of “We are Asia – Dean Fujioka & Friends”, a five-part entertainment documentary series featuring Dean Fujioka and rising star Shuhei Nomura, rock band WEAVER, and video projection dance sensation Siro-A.
Ang Hui Keng, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia, said, “GEM is gaining traction in Asia as it cements its position as the top destination for high quality, express content from Japan and northeast Asia. We’re focused on taking GEM beyond the screen and into the lives of fans across the region via talent tours, local filming and fan meets. Our new series, ‘We are Asia – Dean Fujioka & Friends’, marks the first original series for GEM, and will pave the way for more localized content in the future.”
Atsushi Hatayama, President, International Business Development, Nippon TV, said, “We are happy to know that GEM and its lineup of compelling content have been well-received by our viewers and pay-TV platforms across the region. We are looking forward to welcoming new viewers in the Philippines and Indonesia where Japanese content has not been shown before on this scale. The Singaporeans have a great appreciation for Japanese content, and can now watch it without delay. We are dedicated to bringing express telecast shows to GEM so viewers should look forward to catching the latest shows close to the Japan broadcast.”
In addition to the channel’s first original production, viewers can look forward to Japan’s hottest music event of the year, Nippon TV’s “The Music Day 2016 – Beginning of Summer”, which will be broadcast live and exclusive for the first time on GEM from 5:00pm until 10:00pm on Saturday, July 2, 2016. This annual music event brings together Japan’s top artists in a festival that celebrates the very best of J-pop.
Fans of Japanese and northeast Asian entertainment can now enjoy GEM on the following pay-TV platforms in Asia:
- Indonesia: Indovision, MyRepublic, Nexmedia, Skynindo and Transvision
- The Philippines: Via ACCION’s distribution network of provincial cable affiliates
- Singapore: Launching August 1, 2016 on Singtel TV
GEM is already available on PPCTV in Cambodia, nowTV in Hong Kong and TrueVisions in Thailand.
Jennifer Doig
Executive Director, Marketing & Communications, English Content
Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia
10 Changi Business Park Central 2, #03-01
Hansapoint@CBP, Singapore 486030
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a Sony Company