MUMBAI: Turner International has said it will be launching its action TV channel Toonami in Hong Kong on 1 December.

Targeted at ultimate action fans, Toonami serves up animated hits like Young Justice, Dragon Ball Z and Batman: the Brave and the Bold to boys and girls.

With the launch of Toonami, Hong Kong kids will have 24/7 access to the most electrifying entertainment available. For the first time anywhere in the world, viewers will be able to see The Spider-Man and the Hulk meet Iron Man and Goku on the same channel. ?It really is the ultimate home of the action hero," said Turner International Asia Pacific SVP and MD Sunny Saha.

Toonami is a channel for the fans and by the fans and the excitement extends beyond television, into the online and social media space.

To kick off Toonami?s launch, budding science-fiction writers can play an active part in the channel?s origins which centers on Nami, an A.I. lifeform from the future. In December and January, fans can submit their own ideas as to how to complete Nami?s story. The winning entry will be created into an animated clip for the channel and a customised printed comic book.

MUMBAI: As China prepares for its most significant leadership transition in decades, CNN has announced the launch of its first ever regular series focussed on the country. The new monthly show hosted by CNN correspondent and anchor Kristie Lu Stout provides viewers with an insider?s view of China from within its own borders.

The first episode ?Inside the Chinese Communist Party? airs on 17 October at 3 pm, 20 October at 10 am, 21 October at 5 pm, 27 October at 5 pm and on 28 October at 10 am.

The second episode: ?Chinese Consumerism? airs on 21 November at 4 pm, 24 November at 11 am, 25 November at 7 pm, 1 December at 3 pm and on 2 December at 11 am.

The third episode ?Chinese Exploration? airs on 19 December at 4 pm, 22 December at 11 am, 23 December at 7 pm, 29 December at 7 pm, and 30 December at 11 am.

Shot on location in Hong Kong at Hullett House, in each 30-minute show Lu Stout sits down with thought and business leaders from within China?s borders for a roundtable discussion about what really drives this world power and economic giant.

With China?s leadership transition expected within a month, the first episode delves into the Chinese Communist Party, exploring how membership is obtained, factions within the party, the personality traits of China?s presumed next leader, and the impact of the ongoing Bo Xilai scandal. At the table helping to demystify the Chinese Communist Party is Hung Huang, a celebrated Chinese media personality and publisher brought up among China?s political elite, Victor Gao, a former official in the Chinese Foreign Ministry and English translator for Deng Xiaoping and John Pomfret, award-winning journalist and China commentator.

CNN International senior VP Mike McCarthy said, "The world is watching China more than ever and our new show delivers in-depth, intelligent insights on its economic, political and cultural drivers. We?re proud to be the first international news network to dedicate a regular show to China, enabling viewers within China?s borders and around the world to better understand the country and its people."

Lu Stout said, "China is a country of dramatic change, political intrigue, and dynamic economic growth. I?ve been writing and reporting about China since the late 1990s, and the nation continues to fascinate me. I?m excited to host a regular discussion on current affairs and trends inside China."

The November episode looks at the growing strength of Chinese consumerism and in December, the show focuses on Chinese exploration.

MUMBAI: Avinash Himatsinghani, SVP and GM-South East Asia at Fox International Channels (FIC) Asia, has decided to move on.

Based out of Singapore, Himatsinghani will be with the company till the end of this calendar year.

He is quitting the company to explore other opportunities.

FIC COO- Asia-Pacific Zubin Gandevia said, "Avi is an incredibly talented executive who has helped us build each of our markets into a strong local business with teams on the ground, great distribution, ad sales partnerships and great affiliate relationships. We wish him all the very best in his new endeavor."

Himatsinghani added, "It has been a superb 11 years for me at FIC. The time has come for me to move on and explore new ventures - the entrepreneurial spirit in me has been kindled and I look forward to setting up my own business in the not so distant future."

Himatsinghani was a part of the early team that helped build the FIC business. He started off in 2001, first as part of Star?s ad sales team in Hong Kong, he moved on to set up National Geographic Channel?s regional ad sales business across APAC, helping build the sales teams across markets and driving some key partnerships that have become the cornerstone for Fox One Stop Media, as the advertising sales business is known today.

MUMBAI: Setanta Sports, the international sports broadcaster, has agreed a multi-year deal to distribute its exclusive rugby programming on Multi Screen Media?s sports channel Sony Six.

Sony Six will broadcast live coverage of the RBS Six Nations, Super Rugby and Rugby Championship (formerly Tri Nations) as well as showing Setanta?s flagship rugby programme: The Breakdown.

"We are delighted to work with Sony SIX to bring our exclusive rugby programming to India. Our goal is to achieve the greatest possible exposure of rugby across the whole of Asia," said Setanta Sports International MD Roger Hall.

Setanta Sports has extensive distribution for its channel and programming in Asia with deals in Thailand (with TrueVisions), Hong Kong (with Now TV and Hong Kong Broadband), Malaysia and Brunei (with Astro), Singapore (with StarHub and SingTel mio TV), Taiwan (with Dish HD), the Philippines (with SKYcable) and Sri Lanka (with Dialog TV).

Sony Six has Indian Premier League and Ultimate Fighting Championship as its driving properties in India. It also has FA Cup and NBA to complement its key properties in addition to international football friendlies.