VOOM HD Networks – Mega Media – MDA Relationship Fuels New Co-Productions

New Programs Include Metro BMX Jam: Singapore and BMX P.I.G.: Singapore

Cannes, France – 17 April 2007 – VOOM HD Networks, Singapore's Mega Media and the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) continue to develop high-definition (HD) projects resulting from the companies' landmark HD co-production agreement inked in late 2005. The trio today announced two new HD projects encompassing the action-sports and documentary genres. The announcement was made jointly today by Greg Moyer, General Manager of VOOM HD Networks; Jonathan Foo, Managing Director of Singapore's Mega Media; and Dr. Christopher Chia, Chief Executive Officer, MDA.

"The synergy of this relationship has already resulted in tremendous development and production opportunities," said VOOM HD Network's Moyer. "The vibrant programming that our agreement has already yielded for the global marketplace substantiates both the world's growing demand for quality, entertaining high-definition programming and the myriad shared interests of audiences around the globe."

Said Dr Christopher Chia, Chief Executive Officer, MDA: "VOOM HD and Mega Media have identified concepts that translate very well into exciting programmes in HD, demonstrating the strength of the partnership and Singapore's capacity to deliver high-quality HD productions. We are pleased to see that Singapore locales will be featured prominently in these productions, communicating the beauty of Asia, in particular Singapore, both as a production location and as a travel destination."

Jonathan Foo, Managing Director of Singapore's Mega Media added: "These projects will have particular appeal to young, sporty viewers who value an active lifestyle. We are pleased to bring Metro BMX Jam: Singapore and BMX P.I.G.: Singapore to them in full, high-definition glory."

Series Descriptions:

Metro BMX Jam: Singapore (2 x 60') – Breaking new international ground for the BMX sport, this series covers the adrenaline-charged Metro BMX Jam competition in its first-ever trip to Singapore. Envisioned by six-time World Champion and nine-time X-Games medal winner Jay Miron, Metro BMX Jam: Singapore features more than 40 of the best international athletes-including BMX super-stars Dave Mirra and Ryan Nyquist-competing in high-definition. BMX (bicycle moto-cross) is a form of competitive cycling involving jumps and freestyle tricks.

BMX P.I.G.: Singapore (7 x 60') – In this first-of-its-kind event for Asia, top-ranking international athletes compete in a friendly, yet intense game of BMX P.I.G., where the classic school-yard game of P.I.G. is combined with the high-octane action of the BMX sport, matching the world's premier BMX riders in a pulse-pounding contest of "one-ups" and elimination. This series-part documentary and part reality show-will give viewers a chance to watch the athletes as they talk about tricks, debate strategy, and do a little old-fashioned trash talking.

Metro BMX Jam: Singapore and BMX P.I.G.: Singapore, which have set new standards for high-definition sports coverage in Asia, will premiere on VOOM HD Networks' RUSH HD channel and will also air on Singapore's brand-new HD Channel, SLING HD, coming soon to SingTel.

The trio's HD co-production agreement, originating at MIPCOM 2005, has already created a number of successful HD programs, including the fashion reality series Style Me with Rachel Hunter, stylish travel documentaries Ultra Eye Tokyo and Ultra Eye Singapore and sports documentaries Beyond the Edge – The F1 Powerboat; Muds, Guts and Glory; Planet Pakour and Hope on the Andaman Coast. Also currently in production is an eight-part documentary series, New Revolution, about the world of computer gaming, which is being shot across Asia in China, Singapore, Vietnam, Korea, Japan and Malaysia.

The two newest high-definition projects are produced in 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound, with completion and delivery marked for 4th quarter 2007 and 1st Quarter 2008

About Media Development Authority of Singapore
The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) was formed on 1 January 2003 to champion Media 21, a blueprint to transform Singapore into a global media city. Media 21 seeks to create a vibrant media environment by establishing Singapore as a media exchange, exporting Made-by-Singapore content, internationalizing local media companies, nurturing local media talent and developing digital media. More information on MDA can be found on www.mda.gov.sg

About Mega Media
Mega Media was founded in 1990 and is today one of Singapore's leading long-form media content producers. Mega Media has produced a wide range of projects ranging from award-winning feature films to international documentaries and drama series. Today, Mega Media boasts one of Asia's most complete High Definition production and post-production facilities, which includes Singapore's only Dolby certified mixing sound stage and Southeast Asia's only Digital Cinema encoding facility.

About VOOM HD Networks
Rainbow's VOOM HD Networks comprise the world's largest suite of high-definition content for distribution through satellite and cable operators. With programming in categories as diverse as sports, movies, fashion, music and art, the VOOM HD Networks are available in the U.S. on Echostar's DISH Network. The 24/7 linear VOOM HD channel is available globally. It is currently distributed in Scandinavia, Estonia and Latvia, and will soon debut in Asia. Similarly, select VOOM HD programming is available worldwide and has been licensed to viewers in more than 50 countries. Building on Rainbow's history of original programming innovation, VOOM HD was developed to meet the growing worldwide demand for quality high-definition programming.

Press Contacts

  • Marylou Johnston (Ms)
    VP, Managing Director
    Priority Public Relations
    Tel: +33 6877 7498 9
    Email: marylou@prioritypr.net

    Emma Neubronner (Ms)
    Sales and Marketing Manager
    Mega Media Pte Ltd
    Tel: +65 6513 3506
    Fax: +65 6295 5315
    Email: emma.neubronner@megamedia.com.sg

    Tessa Monteiro (Ms)
    Manager Communications
    Media Development Authority
    Tel: +65 6837 9757
    Fax: +65 6336 4142
    Email: tessa_mae_monteiro@mda.gov.sg