The 25th edition of the highly-anticipated Asian Television Awards is happening on 15th and 16th January. With preparations in full swing, Television Asia Plus takes a look behind the scenes with ATA show producer Alan Eucharis Choo whose firm, Wonder Paradise, has been working with the ATA team since 2018.

Television Asia Plus (TVA): As the organizer of the 25th ATA, what were the challenges that you encountered, and how did you overcome these as you planned the 25th ATA in the middle of a pandemic?

Alan Eucharis Choo (AEC): A tough decision was made converting the event at Phnom Penh to a digital show due to COVID-19. We agonised over it for some time but finally made the decision in September after extensive consultations with our partners and sponsors. We then created a new format for the show, taking into account the lockdowns and travel restrictions. We have five hosts who are based in four different cities, and nine performers based from four other countries. We couldn’t have a physical gathering of the nominees and winners, and we couldn’t organise the well-watched red carpet.

TVA: Since Wonder Paradise has taken over the helm of organizing the Awards from 2018, in what ways has the show grown under your leadership and guidance?

AEC: Two si have evolved. First, the Awards is now more inclusive regionally, moving from Singapore to Malaysia and then to the Philippines and supposedly to Cambodia. Secondly, we have expanded the digital categories significantly to reflect the trend in content making.

TVA: What makes the 25th ATA unique compared to last year’s festivities?  

AEC: This year is the silver milestone for the Awards which was founded in 1996. In addition to our regular diet of great performers, excellent hosts as well as exciting nominations, we plan to revisit some of the highlights from past Awards ceremonies as well as include guest appearances from some past winners.

TVA: How is Wonder Paradise assisting the ATA as it recognizes emerging and experienced talents in the media industry? 

AEC: Wonder Paradise with its regional network and strength in digital and social marketing, can help cross-promote talents regionally and build out their social media platforms beyond Facebook and Instagram to Weibo, Tik Tok, and Douyin.

Catch the live stream of the 25th Asian Television Awards on 15 January at 20:00 SGT on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Weibo; and on 16 January at 20:00 SGT for the ATA Live Show on ATA’s social media channels as well as its broadcast partner networks with Formosa TV in Taiwan; Viu TV in Hong Kong; Jiangsu Broadcast in China; CignalColors and TV5 in the Philippines; and Channel O, CitraEntertainment, and The Indonesia Channel in Indonesia; Bangkok TV Ch 7 in Thailand; TodayTV in Vietnam; and Bayon TV in Cambodia. For more information, visit the official page of the Asian Television Awards.