ITV Worldwide Previews Entertainment Channel In Asia

ITV Worldwide, the international distribution arm for ITV's theatrical, video, TV publishing, consumer products and networks, has announced the preview to selected pay TV operators of a new pan-regional general entertainment channel across Asia, starting on June 23.
The preview channel will be based around Granada International's existing UKTV channel currently distributed in the Middle East. Future plans include the rebranding and re-launch of UKTV, and a full channel launch to follow later this year.
Key genres featured on the channel will include world renowned contemporary drama such as 'Prime Suspect', 'Murder City', Eleventh Hour', 'Crash Burn' as well as comedy, entertainment and cutting edge reality and talk shows including 'The Friday Night Project', 'Ballroom Bootcamp', 'Airline', 'Vroom Vroom', 'The Jeremy Kyle Show'.
Programming will be sourced from ITV, one of the largest and most successful commercial broadcasters in the world. The preview channel will initially be broadcast from the emerging regional satellite platform of ABS-1 operated by Asia Broadcast Satellite.
Peter Iacono, President and Managing Director of ITV Worldwide said: "The development of a channel which showcases our amazing and varied high quality programming is an important part of our business. The opportunities that Asia presents are very exciting for us and we look forward to getting feedback from cable, satellite and IPTV operators throughout the region."
James Ross, Regional Director for ITV Worldwide, said: "The introduction of this new entertainment channel from ITV for Asia, initially as a limited preview channel, forms part of a concerted effort to broaden the reach and value of our programming to new audiences. At the same time, we want to create a brand synonymous with quality entertainment television."
(KMcA/JM)