Nusajaya, Johor – Astro Productions Sdn Bhd (APSB) and Iskandar Malaysia Studios Sdn Bhd (IMS) are collaborating to offer world-class integrated television content production services at Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios (PIMS). APSB is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Astro Malaysia Holdings Berhad (Astro).

Signing ceremony between Astro Productions and Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia 

Under the five-year agreement, IMS has appointed APSB as the exclusive provider of equipment and services for production of television content at its two 12,000 sq. ft. High Definition (HD) television studios. In return, APSB is committed to undertake a minimum of 4,500 hours of production per annum at PIMS in the first two years and 3,000 hours of production per annum from the third year.

At the event to announce the collaboration, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Communication and Multimedia Minister said, “The introduction of the Film In Malaysia Incentive (FIMI) in February 2013 and the successful opening of PIMS in June 2014 are testaments to the Malaysian government’s aspiration to spur the development of the creative and content industry. The Malaysian creative industry brought in RM565 million in content export revenues last year, and is expected to bring in RM600 million in 2014. The ministry lauds the collaboration between APSB and IMS to provide comprehensive production services, combining the state-of-the-art PIMS with experienced and cost-effective technical crew, as well as with experienced and proven management. This strategic collaboration will play a vital role in attracting production of regional television programmes to PIMS.”

Datuk Rohana Rozhan, Chief Executive Officer of Astro said, “Team Astro is a firm believer that Malaysia and Malaysians should be a creative force to be reckoned with, not only on this region but also globally. We also believe that this collaboration would play a pivotal role towards making this a reality. For it brings together Pinewood Iskandar, the Malaysian government through MCMC, Malaysian talent, local and global producers, global networks and Astro with the common objective of producing exceptional television.”

Astro has been championing the creation of original vernacular content to meet the demand of local and regional viewers. To date the company has produced over 50,000 hours of TV content in all genres and in various languages, as well as producing its own 24-hour Astro Arena sports and Astro Awani news channels. Today, Astro produces over 9,000 hours in-house and subtitle or dub over 20,000 hours of content annually. In addition, it also commission about 2,000 hours of content from local production houses.

APSB has produced several notable programmes in Malaysia for international studios such as the Australian version of the popular children’s programme, Hi5, Still Standing for NBC and MBC Middle East, Ben 10 Game Show for Turner International, Ultimate Fighting Championship for WSG Singapore, Asia’s Next Top Model for Active TV and Fox International, and many more.

To build the next generation of production crew, Astro Broadcast Traineeship programme will be extended to the Johor region. The 10-month programme, which is certified by Australia’s Technical and Further Education organisation, offers trainees 9 skill-based modules with over 500 hours of field work in studio and outdoor-broadcast events.

Rezal A. Rahman, CEO of Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios said, “PIMS aims to spur the development of a conducive creative ecosystem around it ensuring the sustainability of an integrated studio facility. PIMS is committed to support the development of creative content and increase talent skill sets that will be of international standard throughout the ecosystem of the creative content industry in Iskandar Malaysia”.

Through the development of the film and TV production value chain, this collaboration provides an opportunity to establish a world-class production facility that can be used by local and regional producers.

He added, “This collaboration will ensure full production services including multi cameras, HD cameras, sophisticated lighting and audio system and state-of-the-art Outdoor Broadcast (OB) truck, We are well-placed to provide high quality production for regional and international producers.”