MUMBAI: SevenOne International, the worldwide distribution company of ProSiebenSat.1 Group, will open a branch office in Hong Kong.

The company, which has already sold TV formats to Asia in the past, will expand its activities there with the new Hong Kong office, which will also help manage the business with Australia.

English-speaking markets are becoming increasingly important for SevenOne International, as the distribution company?s portfolio includes more and more English-language fiction programs.

SevenOne International CEO Jens Richter said, "Already today, more than 50 percent of all the world?s TV households are located in Asia. This market offers tremendous long-term growth potential for us as a distribution company."

SevenOne International has already placed several formats in Asian TV markets. The TV station Jiang Su Satellite has aired 52 episodes of the SAT.1 show ?Mein Mann kann?. In 2011, the free-TV channel Shanghai Docu TV secured the rights to ProSieben?s knowledge magazine ?Galileo?. In 2005, Sat.1?s science show ?Clever? was broadcast in its original version with Barbara Eligmann and Wigald Boning. And China?s CCTV, broadcast all seasons of the German experimentation show with (Mandarin) Chinese subtitles.

MUMBAI: Global media and communications investment firm Saban Capital Group has announced the opening of a new office in Hong Kong by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Saban Capital Group (Asia).

The office is led by Sumeet Jaisinghani, who has re-located to Hong Kong from Saban Capital Group?s Los Angeles office, and serves to expand the firm?s investment activities in Asia.

The Hong Kong office is Saban Capital Group?s first office in Asia.

Saban Capital Group began investing in Asia in 2010 and has three existing portfolio investments in the region: Indonesian
vertically-integrated media company Media Nusantara Citra; Celestial Tiger Entertainment, a joint venture with Astro and Lionsgate on pay TV channels and content creation and distribution across Asia; and Taomee, a children?s online entertainment company in China.

Jaisinghani, who joined Saban Capital Group in 2008, has been involved with all of the firm?s investments in Asia.

Saban Capital Group president, COO Adam Chesnoff said, ?The expansion of our investment practice into Asia represents a strategic priority for Saban Capital Group. Our presence in Hong Kong provides us with a regional connection to the many exciting investment opportunities in media and communications in Asia while supporting our existing investments in the region. Our approach of partnering with strong entrepreneurs and management teams, and contributing our expertise, relationships and capital to help them achieve their global growth objectives, is a unique proposition in these dynamic markets.?

Saban Capital Group (Asia) director Sumeet Jaisinghani said, ?As a highly specialized, and long-term, investor with a flexible mandate and a long track record, we believe we are an ideal partner for entrepreneurs and companies in Asia. Our investment profile in Asia includes the spectrum of growth equity, active minority investments, recapitalizations and co-control situations."

In the Hong Kong office, Mr. Jaisinghani will be overseeing an investment team dedicated to transaction sourcing and execution.

Saban Capital Group was established in 2001 by Haim Saban and its private equity investments outside of Asia have included: Univision Communications, the largest Hispanic media company in the United States; Bezeq Telecommunications (TASE: BEZQ), the incumbent telecom operator in Israel; and ProSiebenSat.1 (FSE: PSM), the largest television broadcast company in Germany.

MUMBAI: Members of the multichannel TV industry in the Asia Pacific have rallied to raise more than $72,000 for Plan International Hong Kong.

Casbaa CSR Committee co-chair, Doug Fraser of Australia Network said, "We could not be more pleased with the generosity shown by individuals and organisations to support Plan International?s Early Childhood Care and Development Project benefitting underprivileged children in the Philippines."

Plan Hong Kong CEO James R Murray said, "The partnership between Casbaa and Plan International Hong Kong demonstrates the value of professional associations such as CASBAA and its members who are committed to addressing the ills that affect children without access to the basics of good health, nutrition and education."

Through a combination of individual and corporate donations along with a Top Table competition and silent auction during the annual Casbaa Charity Ball presented by Turner at the Casbaa Convention 2011, the Association raised much needed funds that will assist children living in poverty in the Philippines.

As part of Casbaa Cares, the partnership between Casbaa and Plan International Hong Kong supports over 5,600 children aged two to five living in rural areas of Masbate in the Philippines.

Plan International is a development organisation specifically focussed on children, supporting more than 1.5 million kids and their families around the world.