QJY and STAR will collaborate on the development of story concept, market research, script development, casting, appointment of the director, recruitment of production crews, sales and distribution, packaging and promotion activities held at home and abroad.
Mr. Jason Siu, General Manager, Chinese Programming, STAR, said, "QJY has an impressive track record in creating highly rated Chinese TV dramas in mainland China and I believe that our partnership will help whet the insatiable appetite of Chinese audiences across the globe for quality programming. STAR is particularly excited about kick-starting the collaboration with the large scale 'Wesley' production and we look forward to developing more compelling TV drama series with QJY going forward."
Dr Anita Leung Fung Yee, CEO of QJY said, "QJY has been a leading player in TV drama production and distribution in China and has achieved remarkable results. However, the potential of the overseas market remains unexplored. In view of QJY's three-year plan to produce quality TV dramas with a budget of HKD 300 million, the collaboration with STAR's strong distribution network will be a definite advantage that is expected to boost QJY's revenue from overseas distribution of TV dramas. Moreover, it is believed that the involvement of STAR's professionals in QJY's production plans will help create new breeds of TV dramas and meet the goal of cost reduction whilst enhancing the product quality."
QJY will be in charge of the production of the "Wesley" TV drama series, which will be filmed at locations including mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. QJY will hold the exclusive worldwide perpetual rights for the drama. STAR CHINESE CHANNEL, STAR's general entertainment channel in Taiwan, will hold the exclusive broadcast rights for Taiwan for five years. In addition, STAR will hold the exclusive worldwide distribution rights outside China for five years.
Both companies will work together with TV networks in mainland China to launch an extensive talent hunt to find new talents for the "Wesley" series' two leading roles. Scouting will take place in mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau.
"Wesley", a famous science fiction novel series, is a household name with a massive following amidst Chinese communities throughout the world. Both companies believe that drawing on their respective strengths, the collaboration will open up new opportunities in the Chinese TV programming market across Asia and beyond.
About Qin Jia Yuan
Qin Jia Yuan Media Services Company Limited (HKEx: 2366) is a China-focused one-stop shop for TV media services, providing integrated programme, distribution, advertising and marketing and public relations services to production houses, advertising agencies and advertisers. The Group was listed on the main board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong on June 30, 2004 following a successful initial public offering. Its strategic shareholders include Aegis Group plc, a public company listed on the London Stock Exchange and one of the world's five largest media groups.
About STAR Group Limited
STAR is a leading media and entertainment company in Asia. STAR broadcasts over 60 television services in nine languages to more than 300 million viewers across 53 Asian countries. STAR channels cover all genres including general entertainment (Star Plus, Xing Kong, Star Chinese Channel, Star One, Star Utsav, Star World, Vijay, Phoenix Chinese), sports (ESPN, Star Sports), movies (Star Chinese Movies, Star Gold, Star Movies), music (Channel [V]), and news and current affairs (Star News, Star Ananda, Phoenix InfoNews Channel). STAR controls over 20,000 hours of Indian and Chinese programming and also owns the world's largest contemporary Chinese film library, with more than 600 titles, featuring superstars including Jackie Chan, Chow Yun Fat and Bruce Lee. In partnership with leading companies in Asia, STAR businesses extend to filmed entertainment, television production, cable systems, direct-to-home services, terrestrial TV broadcasting, wireless and digital services. STAR is a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corporation.