MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Time Warner and Chinese investment fund China Media Capital (CMC) focused on media and entertainment, have announced the formation of a strategic investment partnership. The announcement was made in the western Chinese city of Chengdu, where top business leaders convened for the 2013 Fortune Global Forum.

The alliance pairs Time Warner home of such businesses as Warner Bros, HBO, and Turner Broadcasting, with an preeminent investment platform in China dedicated to the media and entertainment sector. The goal of the partnership is to capitalise on China?s rapidly expanding media sector as digital devices proliferate and China?s demand for high-quality content across multiple platforms rises.

Time Warner chairman and CEO Jeff Bewkes said, "This partnership with CMC and Ruigang Li will give us a unique window into one of the world?s largest and fastest growing media and entertainment markets. Increasing our global presence is one of Time Warner?s strategic priorities and China is one of the most attractive territories in which we operate, but it is complex. This alliance will give all our businesses a savvy and accomplished partner as we strive to bring our leading brands and storytelling to people everywhere, across a wide range of devices."

CMC chairman Ruigang Li said, "China?s media and entertainment industry is undergoing a profound change on various fronts including technology, creativity and commercialisation. We are privileged to be at the forefront of these unprecedented opportunities as well as challenges. We are pleased to forge this partnership with Time Warner, a global power of television, film, and digital content, to jointly explore innovative ways of creating premium content for the new generation of consumers at the age of Internet and mobile, which will further contribute to the dynamic industry development in China."

The Chinese media and entertainment market is among the largest and fastest growing in the world. Box office revenue is projected to reach $4.4 billion in 2013, and with an estimated 45 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2009 and 2013. Animation revenues are projected to reach $7.1 billion in 2013, with a 27 per cent CAGR over the same period, and online video revenues are projected to reach $2 billion in 2013 with a 64 per cent CAGR between 2009 and 2013.

CMC founding chairman Li founded CMC as China?s first media and entertainment-focused investment fund in 2010. CMC?s investment portfolio has participated in several investments and transactions including DreamWorks Animation?s Chinese joint venture and CMC?s acquisition of Star China from News Corporation. Li was previously the chief executive of Shanghai Media Group, where he was credited with successfully transforming the Shanghai based provincial broadcaster SMG into one of China?s largest media conglomerates.

MUMBAI: US broadcaster HBO?s premiere of ?Behind the Candelabra?, starring Michael Douglas as flamboyant pianist Liberace, was seen by 2.4 million people.

This was HBO?s biggest audience for an original movie since the medical drama ?Something the Lord Made? in 2004, according to Neilsen figures.

Another 1.1 million people saw a repeat of the movie that began right after the first airing.

MUMBAI: US broadcaster HBO has renewed the comedy series ?Veep? for a ten-episode third season, scheduled for next year.

Created by Armando Iannucci, the show stars Emmy(R)-winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus as US VP Selina Meyer. The show kicked off its ten-episode second season on 14 April.

The ensemble cast of the show also includes Tony Hale as Gary, who is Meyer?s right-hand man; Anna Chlumsky as Amy, her chief of staff; Reid Scott as Dan, an ambitious political aide; Matt Walsh as Mike, VP Meyer?s weathered spokesperson; Timothy C. Simons as Jonah, an enterprising but annoying White House liaison; Sufe Bradshaw as Sue, who is VP Meyer?s executive assistant; and Kevin Dunn as Ben, the president?s chief of staff.