Astro and CJ E&M partner to launch first Korean blockbuster movie channel in MY

Astro has partnered with South Korean media and entertainment conglomerate CJ E&M (CJ) to launch tvN Movies in Malaysia, the world's first and only Korean blockbuster movie channel.tvN Movies will introduce over 20 first-run Korean movies which will premiere exclusively in Malaysia, paired with English, simplified Chinese and Bahasa Malaysia subtitles. The channel is available on demand on Astro GO and Astro TV Channel 435. tvN Movies said it will also collaborate with distributors Clover Films and GSC Movies to present The Battleship Island Star Tour in Malaysia at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, featuring actors So Ji-Sub and Soong Joong-ki, and director Ryoo Seung-wan.This is the second time Astro has partnered with CJ for its content strategy. Earlier this year, both companies entered into a strategic partnership for co-production of signature and original IPs for ASEAN, marketing and distribution of Korean content. Astro and CJ also collaborated for e-sports and on-ground events.In June, Astro also teamed up with Malaysian media company Kumpulan Media Karangkraf (Karangkraf) to create and monetise content verticals. Both companies are also seeking ways to maximise monetisation potential from licensing, advertising expenditure, subscriptions and commerce in Malaysia, as well as the Nusantara region including Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia.Besides that Astro also launched a new video streaming service, NJOI Now in May, to provide Malaysians free access to on-demand entertainment including box sets, live sports and breaking news. With the launch of NJOI Now, all Malaysians can “NJOI” online and offline access to content on all screens, at home and on individual mobiles, said Astro in a statement.At its recent Astro’s Investor & Analyst Day, the company announced plans to grow its revenue from RM5.6 billion during the financial year ending 31 January 2017 (F1/17) to RM8.8 billion by FY22. The report said this will be driven by stronger advertising expenditure, especially in digital, as well as new initiatives such as 24-hour home shopping TV channel Go Shop, online video service Tribe, licensing income and other ancillary income, said the company.