RTL CBS joint venture to launch HD channel on TrueVisions
Under its aggressive plan to create a strong footprint in Asia, RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network has joined forces with TrueVisions, the country's leading pay-TV operator, to launch a premium entertainment channel in high definition (HD).
“Thailand is a very important market in Asia for the company, so we decided to launch RTL CBS Entertainment HD here as the second territory after Malaysia,” Jonas Engwall, chief executive officer of Singapore-based RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network, said yesterday.
Attaphon na Bangxang, chief programming officer of TrueVisions, said the negotiations for this venture started with the Berlin-based RTL Group and Los Angeles-based CBS Studios International before both companies announced to establish a partnership.
Engwall said his company planned to operate channels in 29 territories across Southeast Asia, carried through a mix of cable, satellite and IPTV (Internet protocol television) distribution deals.
After the venture’s debuts in Malaysia and Thailand, Engwall said the next country would either be Singapore or the Philippines.
The channel presents a mix of reality and talent shows including “The X Factor”, “America’s Got Talent” and “Celebrity Apprentice” from RTL Group and drama series from CBS including “Elementary”, “Under the Dome”, “The Late Show with David Letterman” and “Entertainment Tonight”.
The company plans to introduce RTL CBS Extreme HD, which focuses on action-adventure shows, early next year.
Engwall said the channels would be broadcast in English and the local language in 29 Asian markets including Hong Kong, Indonesia, Taiwan and Vietnam.
With this collaboration with RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network, Attaphon said TrueVisions would have more new HD channels to attract new customers and retain existing subscribers.
TrueVisions expects that its 50 HD channels, including RTL CBS Entertainment HD, will boost the number of subscribers to 3 million by the end of this year.
