Programming to include hit Japanese dramas "Death Note" and "Angel Heart" as well as Chinese romance series "Lady & Liar"

SINGAPORE AND TOKYO (September 10, 2015) Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks and Nippon Television Network Corporation (Nippon TV) today announced that their joint-venture Asian general entertainment channel GEM will roll out across Asia on October 1, 2015. Launch platforms include nowTV in Hong Kong; TrueVisions in Thailand; MyRepublic, Matrix TV, Nexmedia, Skynindo, and Transvision in Indonesia; and Phnom Penh Municipal Cable TV (PPCTV) in Cambodia. 　

GEM features first-run and exclusive dramas, comedies and variety entertainment shows from Japan as well as other Asian territories including South Korea, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. 　

Hui Keng Ang, senior vice president and general manager, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia said: "As its name suggests, GEM is poised to be a glittering jewel within the genre, meeting the growing viewer demand for premium Asian content. Our partnership with leading content producer Nippon TV will ensure a steady pipeline of compelling primetime content featuring the hottest Japanese stars." 　

Yukiko Kimishima, divisional president of International Business Development at Nippon Television Network Corporation, said: "Nippon TV already has a proven track record in our country as the first and most watched commercial broadcaster, so we are extremely delighted at the opportunity to launch GEM in partnership with SPT Networks to deliver Nippon TV's captivating fresh lineup of dramas and variety entertainment shows along with the finest programs from the rest of Asia." 　

Spanning action, period, comedy, family and romance genres, GEM is anchored by a wide range of Asian drama with captivating stories and multi-dimensional characters to keep audiences returning for more. Headlining the October launch of GEM is the hit psychological thriller Death Note. The series features Japanese stars Masataka Kubota, Kento Yamazaki and Mio Yuki, and follows the adventures of college student Light Yagami who finds a notebook known as the Death Note, which contains the power to kill anyone whose name is written in it.

Other popular titles include Angel Heart, starring award-winning actor Takaya Kamikawa, which will be available on GEM within a week of the Japan telecast. The primetime lineup also includes top-rated office drama series Hanasaki Mai Speaks Out S2, and Chinese romance series Lady & Liar, starring Hong Kong heart throb Harwick Lau and Chinese idol Tiffany Tang. 　

The channel will also boast variety programs that spotlight the latest entertainment buzz around popular celebrities in the region. 　

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 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 and Sony Channel; and operates joint-venture channels Baby TV and Vision 2 in Indonesia with Dori Media Group.

About Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television (https://www.sonypicturestelevision.com), 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 150 channel feeds available in 178 countries, reaching more than 1.3 billion cumulative households worldwide. SPT also creates original content for and manages the studio's premium streaming network, Crackle.
Additionally, SPT own US production company Embassy Row and is a part owner of the cable channel Game Show Network (GSN). 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.

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/

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