Asia – Fox International Channels (FIC) officially announced the new arrangements of its channel portfolio and organizational structure to drive business growth in Asia. As one of the three distinct business units of News Corporation’s broadcast business in Asia, FIC has expanded its channel portfolio anchored upon the Fox, Star and National Geographic brands. The channel line-up now consists of 37 channels including FX, FoxCrime,Fox, FoxLife, Fox Movies, Fox History & Entertainment, Fox Sports, Star World, Star Movies, Channel [V] International, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo Adventure, Nat Geo Wild, National Geographic Channel HD, Nat Geo Music, Baby TV and TvN available across 13 markets in Asia. This expands FIC’s audience reach in Asia to more than 426 million cumulative pay-TV subscribers. Operationally, FIC has revamped its organizational structure through its decentralization and localization strategies to accelerate business growth in Asia. Led by Ward Platt, president, and Zubin Gandevia, chief operating officer, the company has now 15 local offices in the region as independent business centers to take full advantage of the potential of each local market. Territory directors will be accountable for local profitability with functional support from the regional leadership team, which consists of industry veterans in distribution, creative, regional advertising sales, marketing, programming, technology and finance. The new additions bring a wealth of local and regional television experience to FIC’s global business network. Avinash (Avi) Himatsinghani, senior vice president and general manager of ASEAN will be heading up the ASEAN business of Fox International Channels Asia from Singapore. Avi is responsible for expanding business operations, advertising and affiliates sales for all channels in Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Jonathan Ellis, senior vice president, revenues & partnerships leads a regional sales team of 42 members in nine offices in Asia to strengthen the regional advertising sales business and affiliate partnerships. Joon Lee, senior vice president, programming, creative and channel operations, country manager of Korea oversees programming and production operations for Fox International Channels’ 37 channels across 13 markets in the Asia Pacific and the Middle East region, as well as business development in Korea. Nathane Banks, senior vice president, broadcast operations and equipments develops an advanced network broadcasting system that delivers 37 Fox International channels to its distribution partners across Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Sonia Jackson, senior vice president, marketing; general manager, Hong Kong and Philippines looks after the marketing efforts for all the Fox International channels across Asia. Edwina Ngao, vice president, affiliate sales & partnerships will be heading up the newly established distribution business of Fox International Channels Asia. Stationed in Hong Kong, the regional team report directly to Zubin Gandevia.