SINGAPORE AND TOKYO, April 22, 2015 -- Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks and Nippon Television Network Corporation (Nippon TV) today announced their agreement, subject to regulatory approval, to form a joint venture to launch GEM, a new general entertainment channel for audiences across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong. The pay TV channel will feature first run and exclusive dramas, comedies and variety entertainment shows from Japan as well as other North Asian territories.

GEM, which will be operated by the joint venture, will have access to more than 500 hours of Japanese content per year exclusively from Nippon TV. SPT Networks will be primarily responsible for distribution and advertising sales for the channel.

George Chien, Executive Vice President, Networks, Asia-Pacific for SPT, said: "There is a strong demand for North Asian content across the Southeast Asian market, especially the types of Japanese dramas and variety entertainment shows for which Nippon TV is highly regarded. We are looking forward to working closely with them on this unique new pay TV offering, which perfectly complements our successful portfolio of Asian entertainment channels."

Kimio Maruyama, Board Director and Executive Operating Officer of Nippon TV, said: "After three years of actively pursuing various content-related business opportunities in Southeast Asia, we came to realize that our programs are our strength and greatest asset. This led to our discovery that the pay TV business would best enable us to provide constant access to top-notch Nippon TV entertainment to viewers in Southeast Asia. The success of such a venture depends on having a partner who is familiar with and has a proven track record in the pay TV and media landscape in Asia, and we at Nippon TV are honored to have found SPT Networks. GEM enables us to reach out to more people in Southeast Asia with high-quality dramas and entertainment shows that continue to make Nippon TV the most-watched broadcaster in Japan."

GEM adds to SPT Networks' considerable presence in the region, where it is the leader in Asian general entertainment. The portfolio includes ONE, the No. 1 South Korean entertainment destination across Southeast Asia, which has delivered more than 50 percent growth over the past four years in key markets like Singapore and Malaysia; as well as Japanese anime channel Animax, which is especially popular among youth and young adults. Both channels are available as over-the-top platforms in select markets and actively engage fans throughout the region with large-scale events featuring high profile talent from key shows. GEM Vietnam, which is also part of the Asian channels portfolio, will continue to be wholly-owned and operated by SPT Networks.

SPT Networks is also a leading pay TV broadcaster in the English general entertainment space with top-rated AXN, in addition to Sony Channel and beTV; and operates joint-venture channels Baby TV and Vision 2 in Indonesia with Dori Media Group.

About Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television, a Sony Pictures Entertainment company, is one of the television industry's leading content providers, producing and distributing programming worldwide in every genre and for every platform. In addition to one of the industry's largest libraries of award-winning feature films, television shows and formats, Sony Pictures Television (SPT) boasts a current program slate that includes top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms. In addition to its US production business, SPT has 19 wholly-owned or joint venture production companies in 13 countries and also maintains offices in 31 countries. SPT's worldwide television networks portfolio includes 148 channel feeds available in 178 countries, reaching more than 1.2 billion cumulative households worldwide. SPT also creates original content for and manages the studio's premium video website, Crackle. Additionally, SPT owns US production company Embassy Row and is a part owner of cable channel Game Show Network (GSN) and national U.S media sales company ITN Networks, Inc. SPT advertiser sales is one of the premier national advertising sales companies and handles the commercial inventory in SPT's syndicated series as well as the Rural Media Group and DoctorOz.com.

https://www.sonypicturestelevision.com

About Nippon Television Network Corporation
Nippon Television Network Corporation (Nippon TV) is Japan's number one rated broadcaster, having won the Triple Crown title for the entire year of 2014 by topping the charts in the All Day, Prime Time, and Golden Time categories. Since becoming Japan's first commercial broadcaster in August 1953, Nippon TV has come to be known as the country's finest producer and broadcaster of all genres of programs ranging from news, documentaries, sports, dramas, entertainment shows to animation. One of the biggest successes for Nippon TV is its format Dragons' Den. To date, the format has been sold in over 25 countries and regions. Nippon TV also has a wide variety of group companies that deal with movies, animation, events, TV shopping, and merchandising.

https://www.ntv.co.jp/english/