Hong Kong, July 27: More than 50 popular American TV shows like "Lost" and "Grey`s Anatomy" will air in Asia shortly after their U.S. debut under a deal between three Hollywood studios and a Singapore broadcaster.
Hit U.S. TV shows usually take months to make it to Asia after they are bought by local distributors, although they can also be found on pirated DVDs.
Singapore Telecommunications Ltd., or SingTel, said in a statement on its Web site Thursday the deal, starting in September, authorizes it to broadcast the new shows on its TV IPTV service as soon as 24 hours after they air in America.
IPTV, or Internet Protocol Television, refers to TV services provided over broadband Internet. SingTel said the deal with Disney, Fox and Warner Bros.
The deal also covers the shows "Criminal Minds", "Prison Break", "Bones", "24", "Ugly Betty" and "Without a Trace", "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles", "Supernatural," and "Samantha Who?"
"The availability of Twentieth Century Fox`s top slate of TV series soon after the U.S. release is an exciting new concept that has significant potential to engage viewers on a whole new level," SingTel`s statement quoted Fox Executive Vice President Jamie McCabe as saying.
Bureau Report
First Published: Sunday, July 27, 2008, 01:00
