Tom Keaveny, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Discovery Networks Asia Pacific We are thrilled to have won again for the second year in a row and receiving recognition from our peers for the quality of work that we produce. It is truly an honour. The awards belong to the team at Discovery and our production partners whose creativity and hard work have delivered such wonderful films. Our investment in local content and creating documentaries that are relevant to our audience here in Asia-Pacific has paid off. Discovery has always been committed to developing the nonfiction industry in the region having worked with local governments and filmmaking bodies to create opportunities for local filmmaking talent through initiatives such as the such as Documentary Director’s Chair, First Time Filmmakers, Discovery Ignite, and the recently launched Eye on China. Several of the documentaries from our initiatives have won international awards and some of the filmmakers have gone on to produce other projects and films. It is our hope at Discovery that through these initiatives, we nurture Asian talent and ideas and continue to tell the myriad of amazing stories from this region to the world. Ellana Lee, Managing Editor CNN Asia Pacific We at CNN are delighted to win 2 Asian TV Awards and this recognition by industry peers is a great honour. With ‘CNN Today’ we have agenda-setting viewing every day of the week, whilst ‘Talk Asia’ continues to pull in a remarkable range of guests, so we are proud that their excellence has been rewarded. The awards are testament to the commitment, dedication and excellence of our newsgathering teams across the Asia-Pacific. It’s thanks not just to the correspondents and anchors but represents an effort across the board – from engineers to cameramen, video editors to writers, prompters to interns, office support to researchers. They have all contributed to this success and all share equally in it. (Awards such as these help promote and stimulate the region’s television industry) by providing the region’s best benchmark of industry excellence and seeking to raise the bar on broadcasting. Jim Laurie, Acting Asia Bureau Chief, Al Jazeera English The Asian Television Awards are among the most coveted in the region and our journalists have been rewarded for their in-depth and groundbreaking reporting. We applaud the ATA for being a leader in recognizing the excellence of media in the region and we are honored to be a recipient of these prestigious accolades. Al Jazeera English strives to show every angle and every side in its reporting and focus on underreported regions of the world. It is in the continuing pursuit of this mission that. We attribute our current and past successes. It is alsodue to the excellent reporting of our journalists, who go beneath the surface to expose the truth and its context. The region’s media can be greatly empowered when recognized for their excellence. By shining the spotlight on the success of the media, particularly in this region, it stimulates the interest of the public and encourages the media to continue to push the boundaries and produce outstanding journalism. Media organizations, such as ATA, and the media itself, need to continue to stimulate public debate about the future of broadcasting in the region. Florence Lian, Head, Corporate Communications and Marketing, MediaCorp MediaCorp is very proud of our wins. The wins were from four of our channels, and range from childrens’ programming, infotainment, drama to variety. It is proof of the quality and diversity of the local programming across our channels, and reinforces MediaCorp’s name as a trusted brand for quality entertainment. Without a doubt, the talented and dedicated producers and their teams play a big part (in this success). Also, the boldness to try new things that led us to make our mark in new categories and genres. Such awards allow producers to engage one another, share experiences and best practices; opening the eyes and minds of the producers, and setting the standard/benchmarks. A gathering such as this allows creativity to feed off one another, and spurs us to want to do better in the upcoming programmes we produce. Looking beyond producing for just one screen will be the (next) challenge. We need to look at how content can be distributed in new media e.g. online, mobile. Raymond Lam, Television Broadcasts Limited The recognition means a great deal on different levels. Personally, winning the Best Actor award at the ATA is a huge honour for me. I am very happy that the judges gave recognition to my performance in The Master of Tai Chi, which happens to be one of my favourite works to date. That said, this is indeed a special bonus. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in the making of this series. For them, this award makes all the pressure-filled filming days worth it. Professionally, the award is a validation of the quality of Hong Kong actors and productions – and it is indeed rewarding to have other places in Asia appreciate Hong Kong stars and productions. TVB spokesperson It is a great pleasure for TVB to participate in the 13th Asian Television Awards this year. Among 31 awards, TVB had six shortlisted nominations. Finally, TVB became the runner-up of the Terrestrial Broadcaster of the Year, and our hottest artiste Raymond Lam won the Best Drama Performance by an Actor award for his role in the drama series The Master of Taichi. Both TVB and Raymond are honored to receive such an international award on behalf of Hong Kong. We are proud to announce that Raymond has become the first Hong Kong artiste to win this award. It is worth celebrating that TVB dramas and artistes have been further recognized in the overseas markets. As the world’s leading Chinese programme provider, TVB is committed to delivering excellence in programming and cutting-edge broadcasting technology to audiences around the world. We have also dedicated resources to voice dubbing in different languages, so as to widen our reach to other parts of the world. Opportunities are granted to our TVB artistes for developing their performing potentials from a wide range of dramas and variety shows. With our well-established management system and extensive overseas network, the exposure and popularity of our TVB programmes and artistes keeps surging in Asia. The international accomplishment of TVB in the Asian TV Awards 2008 does not only mark a milestone in our TV business, but has also sparked motivation to our producers and artistes for their participation in the television industry. TVB will be devoted to bring viewers across the world more massive hits in the coming years. Phanya Nirunkul, Chief Executive Officer, Workpoint Entertainment Public Company Limited It has been a great honor for company and me in receiving the Asian Television Awards, for The Best Game or Quiz Programme for Lharn Phoo Koo E-Joo and Best Comedy Performance by Nong Cha Cha Cha (Chusak Iamsuk). Both awards meant a lot to all of us. We work very hard in order to come up with great shows/programs for everyone. As a team, we came up with new ideas for all of our work to make sure that our viewers will get the most out of all our programs. That’s very important. For example, Lharn Phoo Koo E-Joo is Workpoint’s latest program that is filled with happiness for the entire family ever since it was broadcast. It’s wonderful to see the two generations, grandparent and grandchildren with vast age gap, are able to get through all sort of challenging collaborations we have for them. The way they try to accomplish together really shows their love and affection for each other. Nong really deserved the Best Comedy Performance this year because he is very devoted to his work and always improving his acting skills in order to become an even better comedian. Workpoint is very grateful for the two winning awards and four highly commended awards this year and would like to thanks the judges for this year’s Asian Television Awards. Chusak Iamsuk, Workpoint Entertainment Plc. Co., Ltd This is my first international TV award ever. I couldn’t sleep at all before I came here. I was so excited, especially when the MC said my name; I didn’t believe that it was me. It is a great honor and I am so happy that I cannot put it into words. The award is priceless. It even got my name on it. It’s great. I have to thank Mr. Phanya Nirankul including our team of Workpoint. Co. Ltd., for giving me an opportunity and support me and making me who I am right now, Nong Cha Cha Cha. I would also like to thank all the judges for making their decisions in giving me this “Best Comedy Performance” award. I will look back at this award all the time and will work really hard in becoming an even better comedian in the future. Thank you all the fans from Raberd Thurdtheung for all their love and support too.” Palakorn Somsuwan, Program Manager, Bangkok Broadcasting & TV Co. Ltd. We are very delighted for Chiranan Manochaem’s achievement as well as her international recognition at 13th Asian Television Awards. Her dedication and her willingness to learn and try are the keys to success. This is also the first time she plays an aggressive evil role. Moreover, The Slave was a remake of the popular retro drama about the abolition of slavery during the reign of King Rama V. It’s one of our biggest productions. Asian Television Awards is an important symbol of achievements and recognitions in entertainment industry in Asia. The awards encourage and inspire us to improve. The Awards also give us an opportunity to learn about the business in other Asian countries. We feel it is important to improve our local production to compete in the international markets and also create varied content for new platform, in order to stimulate TV production in the Asia Pacific. Christine Tan, Best Current Affairs Presenter I could not make it to receive the award in person this year. But it certainly feels wonderful to be rewarded for something I love doing best. Having said that, I would not have been able to accomplish what I do on the show without the wonderful support of my team. In particular, my Producer, Dorin Lim who has worked tirelessly with me on the show for nearly a decade now. This award would not have been possible without her. My main objective as the host for Managing Asia has always been to keep the show current and relevant to viewers. I’ve never felt more passionate and driven about any other show I’ve done in my 16 year career. Given so much global uncertainty, it’s even more critical that I ask the right questions and get the right answers from CEOs. I would like to think I’ve succeeded in making Managing Asia a compelling show to watch. The Asian Television Awards celebrates, recognizes and rewards program and production excellence in the region. The Awards set a benchmark for the industry to surpass each year, stimulating the growth and performance excellence in the industry. I often think we leave out the people behind the scenes. I would personally like to see an award for best camera work, for instance, or best director. Martin Soong, Best News Anchor / Presenter I am very proud, and honored, personally. I think this award speaks volumes about how important and relevant our industry is, especially in this time of crisis. Not just what we at CNBC provide, which is business and financial news and analysis. But broadly what all media content providers and distributors do — we inform, entertain, communicate, educate. Clearly, from the way CNBC’s ratings have spiked since the crisis, it’s what viewers want. This award tells me we’re doing the right thing. This award recognises me, personally. But as we all know, creating great television involves a great number of people behind the scenes you don’t see, but who are critical to the product. Without them, there would be no me. I am merely the expression of their collective skill, ideas and creativity. This award, as well as my others, belongs as much to them, as to me. I think these awards are valuable for reaffirming what we’re doing as an industry. That we’re going down the right path. That we’re giving viewers what they want. That, sometimes, we’re helping viewers discover what it is that they never knew they wanted. The industry is the people in it. They need encouragement, support, and recognition. The awards provide that, publicly. Tax incentives to develop local environments that encourage investment, risk-taking, and creativity (would help stimulate TV production in the Asia Pacific). This includes allowing greater foreign participation — money as well as talent — to help local industries move faster, and higher, up the production learning curve. Henri De Lorme, CEO/Producer, Euro-Asia Media Group, Ltd. (CALT Asia) We are extremely honored and thankful for this recognition. The nomination alone was already an achievement from our end considering this is the first program that we produced in the Philippines and we were only on our 3rd season of airing (9th month) when we sent the entries to the Asian TV Awards. This recognition is also a testament to the strength of Camera Café to cross cultural boundaries. Before producing Camera Café in the Philippines (and the rest of Asia), the program was already airing in over 30 countries. The way we adapt our programs in CALT, we work closely with local scriptwriters in finding the right balance of keeping close to the nuance of the local culture without losing the flavor of the original concept. We therefore share this award to our production team in the Philippines—our director, scriptwriters and production staff—for keeping the vision of CALT and the pulse of the local culture. Winning this award therefore means a lot to us…to me. As I was saying to our General Manager, “nothing beats the first time (of everything)…I’ve won some awards in the past but this recognition from the Asian TV Awards is the most memorable of all.” As a producer coming from Europe, carrying concepts or programs for adaptation in Asia, I hope to see more relaxed barriers in terms of producing and adapting programs in Asian countries. We have started to adapt in other Asean countries (not only in the Philippines) our program Camera Café. In 2009, there will be two other programs that we will adapt for the region apart from the other locally conceptualized program or content that we are developing. Yoshihiro Suzuki, Producer, Fuji TV It is such an honor for the Japanese drama genre to be recognized and awarded in Asia, where people from around the world with different values gather. We are determined to continue producing programs that move the hearts of viewers and provide them with excitement. I believe that setting a creative character who is a physicist that solves difficult cases and our futuristic and innovative visual effects are what helped us receive recognition from the judges. I’m sure this award gave confidence to Japanese creators that they don’t have to be outside Japan to create dramas that people around the world can enjoy, despite language and cultural barriers. We feel that the key to the development of TV production in Asia, is to create communication opportunities. For example, the organization of events along with the awards ceremony such as panel discussions and symposiums in which creators from around the world participate. Atsuhiko Sumoto, Deputy Manager, International Relations, Mainichi Broadcasting System, Inc. We are truly honored. We wish to continue entering high-quality programs in the ATA in the future. I believe it means a lot to the creators to have their programs recognized by our industry peers through ATA. I believe, universality, power, and creativity are very important for a program to be appreciated by the people from around the world. When it has these elements, the performing art programme like Kinkakuji Sound Stage can convey our message successfully to the audience beyond culture and language. The ATA provides a valuable opportunity for Asian broadcasters and program creators to exchange ideas and information on all levels of our industry so that the standard of TV production can be improved. The broadcasting industry has been going digital quite rapidly. Given the widening disparity in wealth among the Asian countries, we ought to figure out how we can bridge the digital divide in our industry. Colin South, Company Director & Animation Producer, Media World Pictures Pty Ltd. It is a great thrill to have won Best Animation at the 13th Asian Television Awards, particularly to be amongst such distinguished companies from Japan, Hong Kong, India and Korea. Our success this year is the result of hard work from the entire Dogstar production team, the very distinctive design of our Head Designer, Scott Vanden Bosch and our experienced team of designers and animators. Awards such as the ATA are an opportunity to showcase the unique talent that exists in the Asian region and demonstrates the ability of the industry to not only entertain viewers in each country of origin, but also the world. The Asian TV industry is rapidly growing and is being looked on by the rest of the world as being able to produce television programmes that are the equal of any in the world. Promoting the diversity of cultures, a willingness to engage in a world market and take advantage of the enormous talent pool both in front and behind the camera, is what Asia must continue to do. Atsushi Yamamoto, Producer, NHK On behalf of everyone on the production team, I’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ for this prestigious award. When making the documentary, we watched the couple continue to climb despite the various obstacles. They showed us what great potential people have to triumph over hardships when they’re determined not to give up. We’re delighted that the documentary has been so well received. Fumio Narashima, Head of International Program Development, NHK When we produce programs, whether it is documentaries or dramas, we try to take up themes that we believe are socially important at the time, and do thorough research. We also strive to make programs so that they are relevant not just to viewers in Japan but also to audiences worldwide. We believe these endeavors were reflected in the jurors’ good evaluation of our programs. It’s valuable to have a forum for competition between programs that have been made here in Asia by Asian people with an Asian perspective. Ricky Ow, Senior Vice President and General Manager, SPE Networks – Asia We are extremely happy that The Amazing Race Asia series has grown bigger with each season. We thank our viewers for supporting a great Asian production and for making it the #1 reality TV show on international channels in Asia. The format itself is a great format that has won the Emmys for six consecutive years. We were able to produce an Asian version of an award-winning show, with its own distinct Asian flavour yet meeting international production standard. The quality is recognized through ratings results, and of course, this Award just reinforced it Winning an award for ‘Best Adaptation of an Existing Format’ is a proud moment for AXN and the production team. It speaks of the quality of AXN’s productions as well as the Asia broadcasting industry’s recognition of our commitment to quality. We want to thank ActiveTV, and The Amazing Race Asia crews and cast too for their commitment to this project. Michael McKay, President, activeTV We were very excited to win this award as it was an acknowledgement of the hard work put in by all of our crews on what can be best described as an epic series. There is probably no other show of its type that is harder to produce and for this to be recognised by the judges was a true honour, especially considering the other great shows that were nominated. My business partner, Bertram van Munster, has won 6 consecutive Emmy Awards for best reality series with The US version, The Amazing Race, but he was truly excited when I called him to tell him we had won. Our production teams learnt an enormous amount from series 1, so series 2 was a major step up in virtually every aspect. In series 1 we focussed on setting up our local crews and training them, rather than taking the easy way out and bringing in a host of people from the US version (only two or three of us had worked on the American version). In addition, The Network (AXN) backed us with greater resources for the second series. Annie Cheng, News Editor, now NEWS Channel It is really an honor to win at the Asian TV Awards. It raises the morale of our team. We attribute our success this year to good management, team spirit and good news sense. I think awards such as these help promote and stimulate the region’s television industry. Also, such competitions can boost up programme quality in the region. Park Joon-woo, Program Director, Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) Thanks for giving me this prize. I have usually taken a profound interest in a matter of forced removal(urban redevelopment), so I treated it using an animal as a subject matter by this program. I think this prize gives me big encouragement, and I will make more, better programs. I’d especially like to thank my wife, Bae Ji-Young who supported me every step of the way. Without her support and encouragement I don’t think I would have been able to do this. I also want to thank my producing teacher, Shin Un-Hoon. Mok Choy Lin, Director of Regional Production, National Geographic Channel Asia It’s great to win this award for a program which raises social awareness about the plight of young children exploited in the sport of camel racing.We attribute our success this year to a unique story with a powerful message. Awards such as these help promote and stimulate the region’s television industry. We should give recognition to the best in Asia so we need to continue to excel and raise the standards. To stimulate TV production in the Asia Pacific, we need to find great stories and improve production standards so that international broadcasters choose to make their stories in Asia with our best production companies. Local filmmakers need to rely less on government funding and more on their ability to pull together co-production financing. Long Mei, Production Manager (Happy Citadel), Hunan TV As an entertainment program with 11 years’ history, winning the awards mean a lot to us. We have been focusing on producing the best entertainment show in China, bringing laughter to the audience. Winning the awards is an acknowledgement for our hard work through these years. We are hoping the Asian TV Awards could encourage the development of Asian Television industry, and bring more excellent Asian shows to the world!