Turner Broadcasting to launch Cartoon Network in Korea

Media News

NEW DELHI, July 13

Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) has teamed up with South Korea’s leading media group, JoongAng Ilbo (JAI) to launch Cartoon Network Korea, a 24 hour kids’ entertainment network for kids in Korea. The agreement was signed by Ron Lee, Vice President, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS) Korea and Mun-Yeon Kim, President and CEO of JoongAng Broadcasting Corporation (JBC), a JAI media group company. In keeping with the Korean broadcast regulations, the majority stake in the joint venture will be held by JAI’s JoongAng Broadcasting Corporation (JBC), with Turner holding a 49% stake in the partnership.

To debut later this year, Cartoon Network Korea will showcase the best in animation, offering both Korean and international animation. Predominantly an animation channel, Cartoon Network Korea will bring together a unique mix of new as well as recognised programming to Korean kids and their families, in a destination that is clever, entertaining and fun. The Network will strive to strike a healthy balance between high quality kids’ entertainment and a safe environment that encourages learning for young viewers in Korea. Cartoon Network Korea will be languaged in Korean.

Mun-Yeon Kim, President & CEO of Joongang Broadcasting Corp., said, “The launch of Cartoon Network Korea is a very significant event for us and for the Korean television industry as the launch of the Network officially kicks off. Cartoon Network Korea will combine the unique strengths of both partners, and will build on our unrivalled knowledge and expertise to create a kids’ channel that will raise the bar and set new standards of excellence in the kids’ entertainment genre. Cartoon Network Korea will offer a variety of multi-genre animation titles from its world-renowned library, and will provide more than just Japanese titles or a single style of animation genre.”

Ron Lee, Vice President, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS) Korea said, “To successfully operate in a highly developed market such as Korea, it is imperative to enter into an alliance with a local partner. In JoongAng Ilbo, we are partnering with an acknowledged leader in the Korean media business. The partnership is a natural extension of our long standing relationship with JAI and is further strengthened by JAI’s deep understanding of our brand philosophy. By making this strategic investment to create a unique kids’ entertainment channel in Korea, we are demonstrating our commitment to cater to the specific viewing preferences of the young Korean audience.”

“As a leading player in the kids’ entertainment genre in Asia-Pacific, we understand that effective localization is key for a network to resonate with the audience. Given our experience in successfully delivering specialised Cartoon Network services across the Asia-Pacific, we are confident that our compelling and diverse array of content, specially engineered for kids in Korea, will open up a whole new viewing experience for them,” said Ian Diamond, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Turner Entertainment Networks Asia.

Cartoon Network Korea will provide a diverse mix of quality content drawn from acclaimed production companies from around the world including Japan, Korea and Cartoon Network’s own library - the world's largest cartoon library consisting of more than 14,000 Warner Bros., MGM, Hanna-Barbera and Cartoon Network Originals series and shorts. Cartoon Network Korea will also work closely with JAI to examine opportunities for the development of animation in Korea.

Founded in 1999, Joongang Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) is Korea’s leading CATV multiple program provider (MPP) offering the non-fiction TV ‘Q channel’, where the past comes alive, the ‘History Channel’, and the total golf network ‘J golf’. JBC is a subsidiary company of Joongang Ilbo, a constituent of Joongang Media Network, an integrated media group in the 21st century with its offerings that include a daily newspaper, news magazine, broadcasting and new media.

Launched in the Asia Pacific in 1994, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s (TBS) Cartoon Network offers the best in animated entertainment. The Network draws content from the world's largest cartoon library consisting of more than 14,000 Warner Bros., MGM, Hanna-Barbera and Cartoon Network Original series and shorts. Its diverse animation library include shows that are familiar to audiences in Korea such as the ever-popular cat and mouse duo, Tom & Jerry, Looney Tunes, and Scooby-Doo. The Network also showcases original series including Codename: Kids Next door, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi, The Powerpuff Girls and Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends under the Cartoon Cartoons banner. Cartoon Network is one of the most popular entertainment channels among kids and is currently seen in over 46 million cable homes in the Asia-Pacific region.

TBS Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.

For further information, please contact:

Abha Talwar

Turner International India

011-41699117

abha.talwar@turner.com