MANILA – AXN Networks has beefed up its content offer, unveiling an ambitious original program initiative and a line-up that will be telecast within hours or days of the US for the Philippines.
Central to its programming strategy is the launch of one of its most ambitious original productions to date – Asia’s Got Talent, the long-running talent competition that crowned a ventriloquist and an opera singer winners in separate seasons in the US.
The show is set to premiere across 20 markets in the region, including the Philippines, the rest of Southeast Asia, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan in early 2015. Gidget Lao, AXN Networks Philippines director and business head, described the show as the channel’s biggest original programming investment for the year.
Registration for auditions have launched on www.axn-asia.com/AsiasGotTalent, while a team will be talent scouting in 13 markets in the region.
“Talent has a thrilling new home on AXN. We are excited to provide the ideal platform for contestants to showcase their skills in front of our huge regional fan base in Asia,” said Ang Hui Keng, general manager and senior vice president, networks, Asia, Sony Pictures Television. “Asia is an incredible melting pot of exceptional talent so we look forward to discovering the next generation of Asia-based stars on AXN.”
For its Fall line-up kicking off later this month, the channel will introduce day-and-date telecast with the US for season 7 of The Voice and season 2 of The Blacklist.
Featuring Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams for the first time as The Voice’s celebrity musician coaches the show will premier September 23, joining adventure reality competition The Amazing Race, which has offered day-and-date telecast with the US since its second season, said Lao.
Other shows such as Hannibal, Hawaii 5-0 and NCIS will air in the same week as the US telecast.
The Fall line-up will also see Ten return for a second season, with Jason Godfrey again serving as host and designated guide in exploring intriguing places around the Philippines.
Shell is sponsoring season 2, which will explore the fun, culture and adventure in destinations such as Davao, Ifugao, Batangas-Mindoro, Puerta Princesa and Surigao among others.
