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ABC partners with Shanghai Media Group for new content deal

ABC International and Australia Network have struck a deal for new opportunities for Australian content in China.

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2014-04-17_1037_001ABC International and Australia Network have struck an international multi-platform arrangement with the Shanghai Media Group to provide new opportunities for Australian content in China.

ABC International will establish an online portal in China enabling a range of ABC and other Australian media content and services to be seen. It also allows for the ABC to establish a base in Shanghai to sell media content across China, enter into international co-productions, and generate international sponsorship opportunities.

“This historic agreement opens up a whole new world of television and online cooperation between Australia and China,” ABC Managing Director Mark Scott said. “It provides a truly unique window for all Australian media to build a friendly and mutually cooperative relationship with China.

“International Channel Shanghai last week broadcast a week of Australian TV programs provided by the ABC and Australia Network to coincide with Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s visit. Q&A’s live broadcast in China was the first open interactive public comment style program broadcast live from China to Australia. The success of last week and the future under this agreement will help build understanding between China and Australia.”

Mr Sun Wei, the Executive Director of the Shanghai Media Group’s International Channel Shanghai, said: “The Shanghai Media Group is China’s second largest media organisation and its recent restructure ensures we are looking to further build our international media partnerships.

“Ground breaking international broadcasts such as Q&A, which was produced as a collaboration between Australian and Chinese television crews, pave the way for bigger and better international media cooperation and cultural connections in the future.”

Lynley Marshall, the CEO of ABC International, said: “This agreement will enable us to put the full range of Australia Network programming and content from other Australian media into China and for China to connect more closely with our media.

“Most importantly, the agreement will provide opportunities for promotion of Australian business, tourism, entertainment, culture and education”.

Britain’s BBC World Service and America’s CNN International are the only Western broadcasters currently available in China.

  • Tagged with Q&A

2 Responses

  1. well, there goes the ABC running Australia Network… stay with me on this one… Sky News (owned by News, Seven and Nine) was in the running to win the contract but then the contract tender was withdrawn and stayed with ABC. Now that they have been able to secure a deal within China, News Corp via SkyNews will definitely be after the Australia Network contract, especially given News Corp failure in China previously.

    Expect the OpEd pieces against the ABC in the News Corp papers to go up a notch or two in the coming weeks.

  2. While they don’t have the rights to sublicense their acquired shows as the release states they do, this is a great deal and may save the network at the 11th hour.

    The LNP shouldn’t underestimate the access that’s been achieved here where other nations and corporations have failed.

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