FremantleMedia will develop and create entertainment formats for the Chinese market in a newly-minted joint venture with Shanghai Media Group's BesTV and China Media Capital (CMC).
The deal to produce shows for broadcaster Dragon TV and IPTV operator BesTV was sealed by Ian Hogg, CEO of FremantleMedia Asia Pacific.
Based in Shanghai, the JV’s development team will consist of local producers and format experts who will work with Fremantle executives to develop original entertainment.
In the rest of the world FremantleMedia International will sell the content through its worldwide distribution network.
“This is a ground-breaking deal, not only for Best TV, SMG, CMC and FremantleMedia, but for Chinese audiences,” Hogg said. “The opportunity to create and execute story telling that focuses on Chinese values and tastes blended with western structure and creativity is a very powerful combination.”
SMG president Wang Jianjun said, “We envision BesTV to be a new media conglomerate after the restructuring and China’s foremost OTT service provider. It will build a new media eco-system in which BesTV straddles over content production, distribution channels, and products and services.
“The collaboration will give SMG the wonderful opportunity to learn how to create good ideas and how to grow these ideas into formats and productions.”
FremantleMedia has extensive relationships in China through licensing shows such as Got Talent, Idols and The X Factor, Don’t Stop Me Now, Take Me Out, Hole in the Wall and Family Feud to various broadcasters.