Hong Kong – FOX International Channels (FIC) announced on July 14 that in an unprecedented move, the broadcaster will air across its key channels in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia more than 25 shows within hours or days of its original premiere, whether that be in the U.S., Korea or other country where the content originated. Following the linear broadcast, majority of the content will then also be made available for viewing On Demand. This is part of a long term network-wide strategy to bring to audiences across Asia top-tier content as quickly as possible, dramatically slashing windows to nearly eliminate their wait time to watch their favourite shows in this region.
The first few shows of this portfolio premiere in July 2014 with the remaining to launch this fall and beyond into 2015. These will include critically acclaimed U.S. series on FIC’s flagship general entertainment channel FOX, blockbuster Hollywood movies channel FOX Movies Premium and edgy U.S. entertainment channel FX, popular reality shows and dramas on the female-targeted StarWorld, new factual series on the renowned National Geographic Channel and trendy Korean shows on Channel M, the network’s K-entertainment channel.
FIC will launch a campaign entitled “Express” to tie together this network-wide initiative, starting July 15. Each show that is part of this “Express” portfolio will feature an on-air “Express from” logo followed by indication of the content’s country of origin, for example “Express from the U.S.” or “Express from Korea”.
Highlights of this “Express” portfolio of shows include the following, with even more to come in 2015:
FOX
FIC’s flagship general entertainment channel will anchor the “Express” strategy, living up to its brand promise globally of “First on FOX.” Season 5 of The Walking Dead will air within 24 hours after the U.S. broadcast on FOX, premiering this October. Having been on FOX Movies Premium the past few seasons, this zombie hit series will move to FOX making the channel its home in this region. The Bridge (S2), which premiered this month, and Sleepy Hollow (S2) launching this September will also air within 24 hours on FOX after the U.S. air date.
FOX Movies Premium
FOX Movies Premium will bring to audiences across Hong Kong and Southeast Asia the award-winning drama series Ray Donovan (S2) this July and Homeland(S4) this Fall, both within 36 hours following the U.S. broadcast. Both shows will be made available seven days following the linear broadcast on FOX Movies PLAY, the channel’s complementary non-linear catch-up service on both set-top box and via its iOS and Android apps.
StarWorld
MasterChef Junior U.S. (S2) premiering on StarWorld this September and two popular female-led dramas Revenge (S4) and Scandal (S4), both also coming this Fall, will all air within five days after the U.S. broadcast.
FX
Da Vinci’s Demons (S3) coming this Spring will air 24 hours after the U.S. premiere. American Horror Story: Freak Show (S4) and the new season of long-running series Sons of Anarchy (S7) will both be available to fans on FX this Fall within five days of the U.S. broadcast.
National Geographic Channel
New series Survive The Tribe will premiere this month in this region within 24 hours after the U.S.
Channel M
With the Korean Wave phenomenon sweeping across Asia, Channel M will please the throngs of k-culture fans by bringing to them popular Korean content express from Korea. The popular Korean pop music chart show M Countdown will air on Channel M the immediate morning after it broadcasts in Korea. The makeover reality show Let Me In and dancing competition show Dancing 9 will both air within six days after Korea.
“We’re excited to launch the ‘Express’ campaign as bringing to our viewers great content as soon as they’re available has been a top priority FIC Asia,” said Joon Lee, Managing Director of Hong Kong & Southeast Asia at FOX International Channels. “Not only does it help fight piracy in this region but why should audiences in Asia have to wait to watch the shows they want? Fans will seek out ways to watch their favourite shows regardless so we want to make it easier for them, not more difficult. This is just the start for us and we plan to do all we can to work with our platform partners to cater to their subscribers needs and deter viewers from turning to other means to accessing content.”
