Hong Kong – News Corp announced that it would restructure its Asian broadcast businesses into three units and reduce headcount at its regional headquarters in Hong Kong over the next year. In addition, Paul Aiello, CEO of Star, will step down at the end of the year, the company said. The business will be hived off into Star India, Star Greater China and a third operation covering the rest of Asia known as Fox International Channels, which will combine English-language channels such as Star World and Star Movies with those carrying the FOX and National Geographic brands. “While it was once natural to have a larger, regional headquarters, the company has now reached a scale in its key local markets where we are ready to empower the teams on the ground and move a number of functions to be closer to viewers,” James Murdoch, chairman and chief executive, Europe and Asia, News Corporation, said in a statement. News Corp. also announced that it would set up a small office in Hong Kong to manage regional joint ventures, business development and other functions. Star India now operates 19 channels in eight languages, including its Hindi general entertainment channel Star Plus, reaching about 226 million cumulative homes. Star Greater China will oversee five Chinese-language channels, while Fox International Channels will operate 37 channels under 17 brands as part of the restructuring. Star India and Star Greater China will report directly to Murdoch. Aiello will stay with News Corp. until December to help manage the restructuring. Aiello said in a statement that he was confident the reorganization would help News Corp. and Star “take advantage of new opportunities for growth.”