Astro Productions and Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios in pact

• Duo to offer ‘world-class’ integrated TV content production services
• 5yr agreement makes APSB exclusive provider of equipment and services

ASTRO Productions Sdn Bhd (APSB) and Iskandar Malaysia Studios Sdn Bhd (IMS) are collaborating to offer what they said are world-class integrated television content production services at Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios (PIMS).
 
APSB is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd (Astro).
 
Under the five-year agreement, IMS has appointed APSB the exclusive provider of equipment and services for production of television content at its two 12,000 sq ft High Definition (HD) television studios, Astro said in a statement.
 
In return, APSB is committed to undertake a minimum of 4,500 hours of production per annum at PIMS in the first two years, and 3,000 hours of production per annum from the third year onwards.
 
“The introduction of the Film In Malaysia Incentive (FIMI) in February 2013 and the successful opening of PIMS in June 2014 are testament to the Malaysian Government’s aspiration to spur the development of the creative content industry,” Malaysia’s Minister of Communication and Multimedia  Ahmad Shabery Cheek said at an event to announce the collaboration.
 
“The Malaysian creative industry brought in RM565 million (US$177 million) in content export revenues last year, and is expected to bring in RM600 million (US$188 million) in 2014.
 
“This strategic collaboration will play a vital role in attracting the production of regional television programmes to PIMS,” he added.
 
Astro said that to date, it has produced over 50,000 hours of TV content in all genres and in various languages. In addition, it also commissions about 2,000 hours of content from local production houses.
 
“Team Astro is a firm believer that Malaysia and Malaysians should be a creative force to be reckoned with, not only on this region but also globally,” said Astro chief executive officer Rohana Rozhan (pic).
 
“We also believe that this collaboration would play a pivotal role towards making this a reality, for it brings together Pinewood Iskandar, the Malaysian Government through MCMC (industry regulator the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission), Malaysian talent, local and global producers, global networks and Astro, with the common objective of producing exceptional television,” she added.
 
APSB itself has produced several programmes in Malaysia for international studios such as the Australian version of the popular children’s programme, Hi5, Still Standing, Ben 10 Game Show for Turner International, Asia’s Next Top Model for Active TV and Fox International, and others.
 
“PIMS aims to spur the development of a conducive creative ecosystem around it, ensuring the sustainability of an integrated studio facility,” said PIMS chief executive officer Rezal A. Rahman.
 
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