Hong Kong – Korea is gearing up to be a key market for SPE Networks – Asia (SPENA). In a deal inked with KT’s Mega TV, AXN will be one of the six foreign re-transmission channels offered by the IPTV platform starting from November 17. The joint venture set up by SkyLife and Sony Pictures Entertainment – Animax Korea – will also be available to Mega TV subscribers. Launched in Korea in July 2005, AXN brought its brand to Korean viewers via the SkyLife DTH platform and has seen its subscriber base on SkyLife double over the years. Subsequently, a joint venture was set up in 2006 together with SkyLife, to launch SPENA’s Japanese animation channel, Animax which is already ranked within the top 10 of more than 80 channels on the platform. The launch of IPTV service is a major milestone in the Korean broadcasting industry. SPENA’s SVP for channels management and finance, Ang Hui Keng said, “Having our flagship channel brand AXN, and leading youth channel brand Animax, amongst the first linear services to be offered on Mega TV, is an extremely proud moment for us. Korea is a key growth market for us, and this is a great opportunity for us to expand our presence there.”