Sports Illustrated is moving into TV and digital video networks in Asia following a broad-based content and sales partnership between parent Time Inc. and Hong Kong-based broadcaster ASN Ltd. The deal, marking a major int'l expansion for the SI brand, calls for the ASN and ASN2 pay-TV sports channels, companion websites and mobile apps to be rebranded to SI and SI 2. ASN operates in a dozen Asian territories, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, and will continue to act as the managing partner for the venture. Time Inc. and ASN will collaborate on daily programming development, with content from existing SI video extensions in the U.S. such as SI Now, SI Films and its “Underdogs” series repurposed to help build out the rebranded networks. SI operates several online video franchises, last year formed the SI Films production unit, and frequently collaborates with existing cable outlets to air one-off TV specials, such as the recent airing of its swimsuit cover reveal show on TNT. However, the ASN deal marks the first time SI will have a full-time TV presence since the demise of the CNN/SI 24-hour sports news channel in ’02. ASN and ASN2 combine to reach 29 million homes, and also hold Asian broadcast rights deals for several U.S. sports properties, including the NFL, NHL, NCAA and NASCAR. “We are very excited to join forces with one of the most revered sports media brands in the world to build a full-fledged TV, web and mobile network,” said ASN CEO & Founder Tom Kressner. “We feel that the partnership with Time Inc. is a recognition of our position as the ‘Home of American Sports in Asia.’ In the coming months, we will bring an unparalleled amount of high-caliber sports content to more platforms and more local languages than ever.”
SPRING DEBUT TARGETED: The rebranded channels are slated for a spring debut. Financial terms were not disclosed. The partnership involves a content licensing fee paid by ASN to Time Inc. as well as back-end revenue sharing. No transfer of equity is involved. Industry sources said the deal does not suggest any imminent movement by Time Inc. to create a full-time U.S.-based TV presence.
