Shows must go on, as regional channel launches several series amidst global crisis

Known as “the home of the best original productions in Asia” and the “leading English general entertainment channel,” AXN continues to live up to its reputation by not slowing down despite the challenging times. While most of the industry has understandably been forced into a standstill, AXN launched three original productions in 2020, and is set to debut several more in 2021.

This not only speaks of the channel’s commitment to continue bringing relevant and engaging programs to audiences in Asia, but also serves as a clear testament to the creative and logistical powers of KC Global Media Asia, the network that owns AXN along with Asian content leaders Animax, ONE and GEM.

According to Avani Bhanchawat, vice president and head of revenue in sales at KC Global Media Asia, “We are cognizant of the impact of the pandemic on our everyday lives. More than ever in these challenging times, AXN is one with our audiences, and with our partners, in keeping fortitude and spirits up by delivering fresh, top-quality programs that engage and inspire.”

With a track record built over the years of producing and broadcasting groundbreaking original productions made for Asia, AXN has earned the trust of industry partners across the region, and it comes as no surprise that the three new shows that launched in 2020 are all products of collaboration. 

AXN All-Stars is a virtual extravaganza made possible by collaboration between AXN and some of the region’s biggest names. Featuring stars from all over the world, from David Foster, Anggun, Michael Bolton and Mel C to Cosentino and Cyril Takayama to Junior New System, Gerphil Flores and Afgan, among others, AXN All-Stars is said to be an unprecedented visual and aural cornucopia curated to lift everyone’s spirits in what many consider as the greatest celebration of hope yet in these challenging times.

AXN All-Stars had its digital premiere last November on AXN Asia’s Facebook page and YouTube channels, with linear telecast in early December on AXN.

Project GO, meanwhile, is a brand-new business reality series sponsored by GoDaddy Asia that puts P 1 million at stake for aspiring entrepreneurs to make their business ideas real. Set to span a total of five episodes, it premiered mid-November and is currently airing every Thursday on AXN and on AXN Asia’s YouTube channel.

The show called for aspiring Filipino entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas in an online open auditions back in August and was shot on location in Metro Manila in September. With limitations on mass gatherings imposed by the government, KC Global Media Asia had to be creative in bringing the cast together, innovating with hybrid filming that saw local Mentors Maggie Wilson, Bea Cupin and the Tung Brothers on set working in real time with GoDaddy’s Tina Shieh from Taiwan as well as with the shortlisted contestants from all over the Philippines. 

Lastly, Asian Dream, which aired seven episodes on AXN starting August, was produced by Subaru Asia. Shot prior to the pandemic, Asian Dream featured six contestants from across Southeast Asia coming together to refine their craft under the mentorship of multiple Grammy-award winner Michael Bolton, as they compete to become the next rising star in Asia.

The show, which was co-hosted by the Philippines’ very own Morissette Amon, was won by Tyen Rasif of Singapore, who has since become Subaru Asia’s newest ambassador. He will also be joining Bolton in his upcoming Asian Dream tour.

This lineup of original productions leaves no question as to the dedication and ability of AXN, and of KC Global Media Asia as a whole, to create, curate, and deliver quality content, and more importantly, to do so while adapting to the changing times. 

In fact, KC Global Media Asia, through a series of teasers, has been busy developing new series to be launched throughout 2021, not only on AXN but across other leading channels owned by the network, and in a wider variety of formats than what has previously been done. At least two are expected to hit the small screen, and even non-linear platforms, in the first quarter alone.

“KC Global Media Asia is fully committed to continue the hard work, and we look forward to working with partners who wish to collaborate and be united with us in sustaining the mission to reach viewers in Asia with even more outstanding content moving forward,” Bhanchawat added.

For news on content by KC Global Media, visit their website at www.kcglobalmedia.com.