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Singapore: In an inaugural deal, Buena Vista International
Television–Asia Pacific (BVITV-AP), the international
television distribution arm of The Walt Disney Company, announced
today an agreement to license a live action series package
to Indonesian terrestrial broadcaster JAK-TV, a leading local
channel targeting Greater Jakarta’s urban and upscale
audience.
For the first time on terrestrial television, viewers will
be able to enjoy a selection of BVITV’s hottest series
including the No.1 show currently on US television, “Grey’s
Anatomy” (seasons 1 and 2), as well as J.J. Abrams’s
(creator of “Lost”) “What About Brian”
and “Ghost Whisperer”, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt.
The series’ are expected to launch early next year.
“We are delighted to be bringing for the first time to
JAK-TV viewers some of our most talked about series,” commented
Steve Macallister, BVITV-AP’s senior vice president and
managing director. “This deal reflects our commitment to
expanding the reach of our programming into key markets such
as Indonesia.”
JAK-TV’s president director, Erick Thohir, added “It
is a great honor for JAK-TV to exclusively carry BVITV’s
hottest series, since BVITV is known around the world for
its high quality and entertaining programming. This is the
kind of programming that we are looking for our viewers: the
young, smart, and cosmopolitan community such as the Jakarta
citizens. It also shows the world that there is trust and
cooperation between the two that can be built successfully.
We look forward to a long-lasting relationship with BVITV.”
Starring Golden Globe winner Sandra Oh and Emmy-nominee Patrick
Dempsey, “Grey’s Anatomy”, has already been
sold to over 200 territories worldwide and a consistent timeslot
winner in countries like Australia, New Zealand, France and
Spain. In New Zealand, “Grey’s Anatomy” is
one of the top two series in 2006 (to date) on TV2 for P18-49,
behind “Desperate Housewives”, with a rating / share
of 18 / 47%.
Licensed to more than 165 territories around the world, “Ghost
Whisperer” made its international debut earlier this
year on Seven Network Australia as the No.1 program of the
night. And the series has been consistently leading its hour
in markets such as New Zealand, UK and Germany. “Ghost
Whisperer” is one of the top two U.S. series this year
to date in Singapore and Malaysia, on Channel 5 and 8TV, respectively.
Although not yet launched internationally, “What About
Brian” has already been licensed to over 60 territories
across the world.
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