Sony Pictures Television International Inks Ground-Breaking Deal With CJ Media Inc. to Distribute Korean Drama Series Across Asia

Sony Pictures Television International Inks Ground-Breaking Deal With CJ Media Inc. to Distribute Korean Drama Series Across Asia

SPTI to Launch Deal With CJ's New Drama Series 'Hyena'

HONG KONG, Nov. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) has entered into a long-term agreement with one of Korea's leading entertainment companies, CJ Media Inc., to distribute a selection of its upcoming and future drama series to broadcasters and digital content providers across Asia outside of Japan, China and Korea.

The deal strengthens the partnership between SPTI and the CJ Group which was established last year when SPTI acquired the distribution rights from CJ Entertainment for the two Korean features "How to Keep My Love" and "The Greatest Expectation." In addition, the deal cements SPTI's reputation as 'The Asian Hollywood Studio' by providing SPTI with a continuous flow of hit Korean series to distribute. Currently, SPTI distributes Hollywood blockbuster movies and series along with Asian hits such as "Kung Fu Hustle" and "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," two of the highest grossing Asian movies of all time; high-quality animation from Japan and Korea such as "Tweeny Witches" and "MaskMan"; and the Japanese miniseries "Tokyo Friends" starring pop singer Ai Otsuka.

"Korean dramas have enjoyed unprecedented popularity domestically and abroad in recent years and we are thrilled to partner with one of the largest media and entertainment corporations in Korea, CJ Media Inc. As 'The Asian Hollywood Studio,' this deal further enhances our already significant ability to bring our clients the very best product, whether it's from Hollywood or more close to home in Asia. We are proud that CJ has continued confidence in our ability to reach all Asian audiences via our premier distribution network," said Mr. Ross Pollack, SPTI's Senior Vice President, Distribution, Asia.

"We are proud to be partnering with SPTI for distribution of CJ Media Inc.'s original drama and made for television movie content. Based on our over 10 years of experience in producing and broadcasting on the Korean television market, we are geared up to create and produce quality original content for not only Korean audiences, but audiences throughout Asia and beyond. CJ Media Inc. is planning to produce approximately 50 hours of original drama and made for television movies in 2006~2007 and increase the number of hours down the line. We are confident that the partnership between CJ Media Inc. and SPTI will allow audiences worldwide to have the opportunity to enjoy our content through SPTI's distribution network," said Mr. Won-Pil Shim, CJ Media's Executive Vice President of Broadcasting Division.

The first drama to be distributed as part of the deal is "Hyena," a 16-episode series following the lives of four playful guys -- loveable and unlucky Chul-Soo (popular singer and actor Min-Jong Kim), heartbroken and fashionable Suk-Jin (up-and-coming actor Sung-Rok Shin), handsome perfectionist Jin-Bum (TV heartthrob Man-Seok Oh), and womanizing freeloader Jin-Sang (popular comedian and TV personality Da Hoon Yoon) -- as they discover that though they may only look for casual relationship, sometimes they find true love.

Supervising the writing on "Hyena" is none other than Wan-Kyu Choi, the head writer and the man behind "Prince of the Legend," the #1 Korean drama in 2006 which has captured an unprecedented 47% share of the total TV households there. Directing "Hyena" is Soo-Woon Cho, who directed "Piano," another drama that gained popularity across Asia.

About Sony Pictures Television International

Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) is the division of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) responsible for all television business outside of the United States. SPTI operates three complementary lines of business: 1) distribution of SPE's feature films and television programming to television, mobile and digital content delivery outlets around the world, 2) local television production in key international markets, and 3) international television networks. In addition to being a leader in the distribution of current and classic U.S. and international films and television product worldwide, SPTI produces high profile, locally produced television in local languages. With dedicated offices in France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Miami (Latin America), the People's Republic of China, Russia, Spain and the United Kingdom, SPTI currently oversees production in nine regions of the world and is the leader in international television production among all major Hollywood studios. SPTI's worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in the SPE's long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with over 40 networks in more than 100 countries reaching over 240 million viewers worldwide. SPTI is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.

About CJ Media Inc.

CJ Media Inc., a leader of South Korea's new media industry, is a multi-media specialized company in the business of Media & Entertainment of CJ Group which has cultivated and developed Korean life and culture. Based on the high class content manufacturing capability, advanced broadcasting system and expertise in accumulated media management, CJ Media currently operates eight cable TV channels in addition PPV/VOD platforms in South Korea

More information about CJ Media can be found at http://www.cjmedia.net/eng/index.asp

For enquiry, please contact:
David Chau, Madison Communications (for SPTI Asia)
Tel: (852) 2881 1787, Email: david@madisonmission.com

Samuel Mak, Madison Communications (for SPTI Asia)
Tel: (+852) 2881 8706, Email: sam@madisonmission.com

Source: Sony Pictures Television International

CONTACT: David Chau, (+852) 2881 1787, david@madisonmission.com, or
Samuel Mak, (+852) 2881 8706, sam@madisonmission.com, both of Madison
Communications, for SPTI Asia

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