Turner International Asia Pacific announces a joint venture with Major Kantana Broadcasting to bring Boomerang to Thailand.
Bangkok, Thailand -- Turner International Asia Pacific has announced that Boomerang, its popular kids’ channel, is to hit TV screens in 11 million households in Thailand next month via free-sat broadcaster MGroup.
Boomerang will be available in the Thai language from August 14 and will be the first truly international kids’ channel on a free cable and satellite platform. The channel will be locally operated by a subsidiary of Major Kantana Broadcasting Co., Ltd (MKB) and supported by M Turner Co., Ltd., a new joint venture being established in Thailand by Turner Asia Pacific Ventures, Inc. and MKB, which is itself a joint venture between M Picture and Kantana Group.
Steve Marcopoto, Turner’s President and MD, said “We are delighted we will be launching Turner’s first free cable and satellite play in Thailand with our partners from Major Kantana Broadcasting. The entry into this joint venture demonstrates our commitment to increasing our presence in local markets and is the first of a number of new local partnerships that we will be announcing in the region. Thailand is a key market for us and Boomerang’s launch will come just months before the exciting scheduled opening of Cartoon Network Amazone in Bang Saray, Turner’s first themed waterpark anywhere in the world.”
Khun Siamrus Lauhaskkasame, Managing Director Major Kantana Broadcasting added: “With the strong success of M channel, Major Group entered the Cable and Satellite TV industry three years ago. Now, as we partner with Turner, our footprint will expand beyond movies into the kids and family segment. This shows our determination to grow our TV business and future expansion.”
The joint venture being formed between Turner and MKB will forge a new relationship between a world leader in branded content and two of the most experienced media companies in Thailand. The new enterprise will also envision further channel development in general entertainment and other genres.
Appealing particularly to fun-loving families and kids aged four to fourteen, Boomerang programming comprises the very best in kids content – from proven global hit classics like Scooby-Doo and Tom and Jerry, to more niche offerings for pre-schoolers and teens.
In other examples of Turner’s recent commitment to Thailand, preschool brand Cartoonito debuted on MeTV in March and superhero channel Toonami launched on CTH and pay cable platforms in December 2012. The country is also one of the most important markets in the region for sales of Cartoon Network licensed merchandise.
Source: Turner International Asia Pacific
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
