London, 12 June 2012: FremantleMedia, one of the largest creators and producers of television brands in the world, today announces the opening of a new regional office in Chennai to focus on creating content for India’s large non-Hindi speaking markets. This is FremantleMedia Asia’s second office in the country, and will join the existing Mumbai operations to further the company’s on-ground production business and provide industry leading entertainment to an even wider audience in India.
Ian Hogg, CEO, FremantleMedia Asia Pacific said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for FremantleMedia Asia. India is the second most populous country in the world and this expansion will allow us to access new markets, work with new broadcasters and reach a greater audience with the world-class entertainment for which we are known. Our Mumbai office will continue to focus on the Hindi speaking market while our new production hub in Chennai will focus on non-Hindi speakers, which account for over half of India’s population. We’re looking forward to the opportunity to create inspiring new and innovative programming for even more viewers in this diverse and dynamic part of the world.”
Paul O’Hanlon, Managing Director of FremantleMedia Asia, said: “The Asian market place is thriving and this new office represents a great opportunity for FremantleMedia to improve its already strong foothold in the region. FremantleMedia Asia has produced a number of prime time formats in India in recent years, including Indian Idol, India’s Got Talent and X Factor India. The new Chennai office will target and forge proactive partnerships with top broadcasters, enabling us to effectively roll out popular television shows for the non-Hindi speaking population, and deliver outstanding entertainment content across the country.”
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ABOUT 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 UK, FremantleMedia Australia, Ludia, @radical.media and Original Productions, amongst others) has operations in 22 countries, one of the most comprehensive global networks, creating over 9,200 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), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), Neighbours, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife and Hole In The Wall.
For further information:
Blair Metcalfe, Ogilvy PR
Tel: +44 (0) 207 309 1024
Blair.metcalfe@uk.ogilvypr.com
FremantleMedia@uk.ogilvypr.com