London, 01 December 2011: FremantleMedia, one of the largest creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world, and Asahi Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), a leading Japanese TV and radio broadcaster, today announce a deal that will include a review of the channel’s extensive catalogue as the companies collaborate to identify shows with a broader international appeal and develop these programmes into global formats.
Mr. Satoshi Wakisaka, President, Asahi Broadcasting Corporation, said: “We are delighted to be working with FremantleMedia on such an exciting project. ABC has a diverse range of variety and reality shows in its catalogue, and we’re also continually developing new programming. FremantleMedia’s reputation for transforming Japanese content into formats for a global market is second to none and we are looking forward to working with them to further extend the value of our catalogue now and in future."
Mr. Gary Carter, COO, FremantleMedia said: “FremantleMedia is excited by this opportunity to collaborate with Asahi Broadcasting Corporation and to continuing the outstanding success we’ve had in bringing the unique creativity, sense of energy and originality of Japanese entertainment to global audiences. ABC’s catalogue spans back over half a century, and until now it has mainly been for the enjoyment of Japanese viewers. We see great potential in their current and future content and we’re looking forward to working with them to entertain viewers around the world.”
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Notes to Editors:
FremantleMedia
FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of television entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company, which is in turn 90 percent owned by Bertelsmann AG, one of the world's major media and entertainment companies. FremantleMedia’s worldwide production arm is responsible for many of the world’s highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programmes. FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment around the world. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes FremantleMedia North America, UFA, FremantleMedia Australia and Original Productions amongst others) has operations in 22 countries, one of the most comprehensive global networks, creating nearly 10,000 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 300 individual titles. FremantleMedia has some of the world’s most sought after and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally, produces such programmes as: Idols (co-produced with 19 Productions in the US), Hole In The Wall, Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), The X Factor (co produced with Syco in the UK), Take Me Out, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife, Gute Zeiten Schlechte Zeiten, and Neighbours.
www.fremantlemedia.com
Asahi Broadcasting Corporation
Asahi Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in Osaka, Japan, with offices in Tokyo, Nagoya, Paris and Shanghai. Listed on the Osaka Stock Exchange (9405:JP), ABC is western Japan’s largest TV broadcaster, affiliated with Asahi Newspaper and TV Asahi as a core broadcast media of the Asahi Media Group. As a co-leader with Tokyo-based broadcaster TV Asahi, ABC is operating one of Japan’s leading commercial television networks, and also has an extensive radio network and production capabilities. ABC has its own TV production studios and broadcasts programs in various genres including sports, drama, entertainment, and animation, along with a wide range of radio programming throughout Japan.
www.asahi.co.jp
For further information:
Blair Metcalfe, Ogilvy PR
Tel: +44 (0) 207 309 1024
Mobile: +44 (0) 7740 190901
Blair.metcalfe@uk.ogilvypr.com
FremantleMedia@uk.ogilvypr.com
Shusaku Inoue, Asahi Broadcasting Corp.
Tel:+81 (0) 3 6278 1617
Fax:+81 (0) 3 6278 1769
shusaku_inoue@asahi.co.jp