Hong Kong – FOX International Channels (FIC) Asia announced on August 7 that it has entered into an agreement with New Classics Media (NCM), a China-based film and television company, which grants FIC the exclusive broadcast and distribution rights in all markets outside of mainland China for NCM’s new modern-family comedy/drama series, Tiger Mom. The series will launch on STAR Chinese Channel (SCC), FIC’s Chinese entertainment channel, in various territories around the world at the same time as in mainland China. This is FIC Asia’s first collaboration on a television series produced in mainland China, as well as the most comprehensive partnership with a China-based media corporation FIC Asia has embarked on to date.
This is a milestone for FIC in its roadmap to taking Chinese content global. Whilst both production quality and demand for the content around the world are high, cases of made-in-China television series successfully crossing over to territories outside of the domestic market have been rare. As an international media company with deep roots and extensive operations and experience in Asia, FIC is in the ideal position to push forward this wave of Chinese content around the world. Through this partnership, Tiger Mom will gain access to markets worldwide through FIC’s global presence as well as the opportunity to leverage the network’s extensive international broadcasting, packaging and marketing experience, allowing it to reach more audiences in markets including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea, Australasia, Europe, North and South America, Middle East and Africa.
Cora Yim, Senior Vice President of the Chinese Channels Group at FOX International Channels Asia, said, “Not only has the quantity of drama series made in mainland China increased significantly over the last several years, but so has the quality, yet very few have successfully been exported to overseas markets, except for maybe a few period dramas. It is our goal at FIC to bridge the gap between great Chinese content and the clear demand for it around the world. We have been steadily investing in Asian and Chinese channels and content for over 2 decades, so we are in a great position to lead the charge in catering to this demand.”
WANG Qiao, International New Media Director of New Classics Media, added, “This collaboration with FOX International Channels will enable us to have a more comprehensive access to the international mass media. Through larger distribution networks, as well as more professional programme packaging and broadcasting methods, this will allow more audiences overseas to enjoy authentic Chinese TV programmes, with values that shape mainstream Chinese culture. ”
The series’ celebrity cast, cross-over ability of its theme and the reputation of NCM were factors which drove FIC’s decision to make Tiger Mom its first foray into produced-in-China drama series.
Cora Yim explained, “The term ‘Tiger Mom’ is a hot buzz phrase in pop culture right now, driven by the stereotype of the determined, tough-love Asian mother with extremely high expectations of her children, so we saw an opportunity to capitalise on this trend with this series. Coupled with the theme of children’s education which is a relevant and hotly debated topic everywhere, we believe this show has legs and marketability outside of China and has the potential to be as successful overseas as Chinese historical and martial arts shows and movies have been in the past. ” She added, “We’ve been patiently waiting for the right project and partner to jump into content produced in China. When Tiger Mom came along we just felt everything was right, from the theme to the cast to the production company. NCM does fantastic work and we believe we’ve found the right partner.”
Tiger Mom explores love, relationships and the challenges of raising a child in modern-day China. The series follows a set of parents and their young daughter. Smart, successful in their careers and happy with their home life, the couple feels blessed. However, turmoil begins when their daughter starts school and their darling angel seems to be behind all her peers and unable to keep up. Conflict arises between the type-A ‘tiger mom’ and the more docile ‘cat’ dad in their methods to get their daughter up to speed. It’s the battle between ‘tiger’ and ‘cat,’ with their family’s happiness hanging in the balance. Tiger Mom stars Zhao Wei and Tong Dawei, renowned actors recognised in China and overseas amongst Chinese content fans. The series also marks Zhao Wei’s highly anticipated return to the screen after a 6 year hiatus.
