A+E Networks to represent JTBC’s Korean formats
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Rebecca Hawkes
| 16 May 2019

A+E Networks is to represent the TV formats of Korean media company JTBC internationally, following an extension of the companies’ existing production partnership.

The JTBC titles to be represented have not yet been announced, however, the deal will result in a major expansion of A+E Networks’ format catalogue and JTBC’s reach in the US.

The parties have also expanded their current content cooperation efforts in Korea with plans to co-produce one Korean scripted drama and one documentary series.

JTBC and A+E’s first co-production, a talk show featuring K-pop icon CL, is in production ready for a June 2019 joint premiere on Lifetime Korea and JTBC.

“JTBC is one of the top-rated general entertainment networks in South Korea. They have created some of Korea’s biggest hits in the last decade, with a number of their shows successfully formatted in countries around the world,” said Edward Sabin, executive managing director, International, A+E Networks .

“We are thrilled to announce an expanded collaboration with JTBC. This is a major component of our strategic objective we announced in 2017 which was to create and aggregate premium Korean content for representation worldwide.”

JTBC formats have already been optioned, licensed, and remade in countries including the US, Turkey, China, Italy, India.

Jeongdo Hong, president, JoongAng Media Group said: “This partnership with A+E Networks represents an important step towards JTBC’s vision of transforming into a global content studio.

“A+E Network’s international programming pedigree as well as their innovative content productions make A+E an exciting partner for JTBC especially at this time where we have a diverse range of global projects in development. We are especially looking forward to working closely with a storied company such as A+E on developing JTBC’s premium originals in the North and South American market.”