MUMBAI: Viacom International Media Networks has announced that Comedy Central has launched its services in Malaysia and the Philippines.

Comedy Central Asia has launched on Astro B.yond IPTV service in Malaysia via the Maxis Home Fibre Internet package, and on SKYcable and Cignal Digital TV in the Philippines.

Next month Cablelink will begin carrying Comedy Central Asia. The channel will also launch on Philippines platforms Cablelink and Viva Communications.

Comedy Central Asia is now in nine markets and on 15 providers across Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Mongolia and Thailand.

VIMN Asia executive VP and MD Indra Suharjono said, "To have Comedy Central Asia?s reach grow to nine markets within the first six months of operation demonstrates the strong demand for comedy and its world-class content is bound to win fans across all of them."

"Our research has shown that seven out of ten people see Comedy as a form of healthy escapism from the stresses of life, so it is no surprise why the channel is our fastest growing brand both globally and in Southeast Asia," he concluded.

MUMBAI: AETN All Asia Networks has announced that female targeted channel Lifetime and infotainment channel H2 will launch across Southeast Asia on 14 June.

AAA Networks has secured broad carriage in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong and Macau on StarHub TV, True Visions, PCCW?s now TV, and Macau Cable TV respectively.

Lifetime is a female-focussed network that aims to offer shows that are contemporary, bold, vibrant and relevant. The network offers original movies, scripted dramas and unscripted programming.

For the Asia launch, Lifetime premieres include ?Liz and Dick?, starring Lindsay Lohan and Grant Bowler; ?Ring of Fire?, with singer/songwriter Jewel; ?Romeo Killer: The Chris Porco Story?, starring Eric McCormack; and ?Sworn to Silence?, featuring Neve Campbell.

Dramas ?The Client List?, starring and executive produced by Jennifer Love Hewitt, and ?Unforgettable?, featuring Poppy Montgomery will also make their Asia premieres on the network. Lifetime?s unscripted slate includes the reality series ?MasterChef Australia? (Season 4) and ?Dance Moms?.

Infotainment channel ?H2? aims to dig deeper into the stories and events of history, providing audiences with more to explore, more to reveal and more to know. H2 covers military, ancient, modern and natural history, as well as science and technology. Through its mix of exclusive programming and original H2 commissions, the channel will cater to the upscale audience, the passionate military history fan, and knowledge seekers who want to know more. Series include ?Mankind Decoded?, ?How Sex Changed the World?, and ?America?s Secret Slang?.

A+E Networks MD Asia Pacific Alan Hodges said, "Now with five world-renowned brands here in Asia, A+E Networks can offer even more value to our viewers and affiliate and advertising partners. Lifetime further extends our bouquet offering in the general entertainment space, while H2 deepens the factual experience for knowledge-lovers."

MUMBAI: Animal planet is back with ?Deadly 60?, a series hosted by wildlife expert Steve Backshall.

Starting 1 May, the show will air at 9 pm every day.

The show is about Backshall exploring world?s 60 of the deadliest animals on his personal camera that could be lethal beauties to killer beasts.

Each animal is assigned with three killer facts and rated on the Deadly 60 scale as viewers are immersed in the quest for the world?s most lethal predators.

Steve travels across the six continents like across South Africa, Australia, India, Malaysia, Europe, United Kingdom, South America and North America for six months to find the "most deadliest" creature in the world.

MUMBAI: It was champagne popping time on the French Riviera at MipTV earlier this month for India?s leading animation studio DQ Entertainment. The company announced that it had struck several deals and notched up healthy business in the Palais des Festivals in Cannes where MipTV is held.

Among the deals that DQ Entertainment (which is also into gaming, entertainment production and distribution) signed include:

• A strategic partnership with Rollman Entertainment, US for the co-production, distribution, licensing and merchandising of animated and live action TV series, feature films and new media content targeted for the global marketplace. The two companies are targeting five television series by 2016 with budgets totaling approximately $35m and a slate of animated features.
• A co-production agreement with ZDF Enterprises, for a new HD TV series to be called The Jungle Book Safari. The 26x12 minute series will include live action documentary footage together with animated sequences from The Jungle Book.
• Its licensing deals are expected to notch up $2 million in revenues over the next three years, the company says.
   

The first one is for Italy with with De Agostini, which has acquired the broadcast, video, licensing and merchandising rights for Italy for the first season (26x22 episodes) of The New Adventures of Peter Pan, an HD CGI animated TV series. The show is to be broadcast on Sky Italia and RAI Television.

Then DQ Entertainment concluded an agreement with Nick for the broadcast of three of animated TV series - The Jungle Book (2 seasons), Galactik Football and Suraj - The Rising Star for the Indian market.

Israel is another country where DQ Entertainment is leaving its footprint with leading independent TV content provider Noga Communications acquiring the broadcast rights of The Jungle Book Season 2 and The Jungle Book TV special, Robin Hood and 5 & IT.

For the Thai market, Thailand?s Work Point has acquired free TV and home video rights of The Jungle Book TV series, and Season 2 of The Jungle Book Safari. Finally, DQ Entertainment has given the free TV rights of Season 1 of The Jungle Book to RTM (Escalada), Malaysia.