New York/Kuala Lumpur/Singapore- A&E Television Networks (AETN) and ASTRO All Asia Networks PLC’s (ASTRO) subsidiary ASTRO All Asia Entertainment Networks Ltd., have formed a joint venture, AETN All Asia Networks Pte. Ltd., to launch and operate branded channels and services across Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. AETN All Asia Networks’ headquarters will be in Singapore with operations also in Kuala Lumpur.

The venture will launch The History Channel and Crime & Investigation Network in Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, The Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei in Q2 and Q3 2007, as well as in Taiwan before 2008. The History Channel and Crime & Investigation Network will be language-versioned in Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, Thai and Chinese. Programming schedules for both The History Channel and Crime & Investigation Network will feature local acquisitions and local productions.

AETN All Asia Networks will also launch The Biography Channel in the region, and deploy the brands and programming via VOD, mobile, broadband and HD.

According to Azran Osman-Rani, Senior Director, Business Affairs, ASTRO, the venture represents a new model for content providers and platform operators to localize programmes and brands, as well as share complementary expertise as partners with aligned interests.