AXN TOPS 2016 RATINGS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA DRIVEN BY THE AMAZING RACE ASIA SEASON 5, MACGYVER AND QUANTICO

AXN dominated 2016 ratings among English general entertainment (GE) channels in South East Asia, maintaining its lead as the top channel in the genre collectively in Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.

Securing a 26 per cent share during full day programming, and a 28 per cent share during prime time (6pm-1am) among 22 English GE channels across the three markets, AXN was buoyed by a strong mix of reality and drama series including the return of top rated The Amazing Race Asia season 5, a re-imagined premiere season of MacGyver and season 2 of Quantico featuring Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra.

“This year AXN celebrates 20 years of broadcasting in Asia and the channel continues to deliver on its original vision of providing smart and thrilling English entertainment to viewers across the region. AXN shaped the action and adventure genre in Asia, and pioneered successful pan-regional original productions including Asia’s Got Talent, The Amazing Race Asia and The Apprentice Asia. Looking ahead, we’re upping the ante with more exciting originals, including the highly anticipated return of Asia’s Got Talent,” said Virginia Lim, Senior Vice President and Head of Content, Production and Marketing, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia.

Last year, AXN reached over eight million viewers every month in Malaysia and was the most watched English GE channel in the country, with over 1.5 times the rating of its closest competitor. Viewers in particular were captivated by thrill of The Amazing Race Asia Season 5 ensuring the series consistently won its Thursday night timeslot in the English GE genre.

In the Philippines, Cash Cab Philippines, Asia’s only gameshow on wheels, fascinated AXN viewers as host Ryan Agoncillo quizzed unsuspecting passengers for prize money. The channel enjoyed the highest monthly reach of 3.8 million viewers among all English GE channels, and resonated particularly well with the affluent ABC1 audience as the highest rated English GE channel among them.

Viewers in Singapore continued their love affair with the genetically blessed crime-fighting crew from Hawaii 5-0 and FBI drama Quantico, making AXN the highest rated English GE channel on StarHub during prime time (6pm-1am) from August to December 2016, among both 4+ and affluent PMEB* viewers, according to SmarTAM. The Amazing Race Asia Season 5 was highly popular, securing AXN’s top spot in its Thursday evening timeslot among all English GE channels.

Source: Kantar Media Malaysia DTAM (2016 data) / Kantar Media Philippine TAM service All Urban Panels (2016 data) / Singapore StarHub SmarTAM (Aug-Dec 2016 data), consolidated viewing activity, Target: Pay TV 4+, combined HD+SD rating for channels with same content on both services

English GE channels: AMC, AXN, CHANNEL V, COMEDY CENTRAL ASIA, DIVA UNIVERSAL, E!, FOX, FOXCRIME, FX, HITS, ITV CHOICE, KIX, LIFETIME, MTV, RTL CBS EXTREME, RTL-CBS, SONY CHANNEL, STAR WORLD, SYFY, TRU TV, UNIVERSAL CHANNEL, WARNER TV.

*PMEB refers to Professionals, Managers, Executives and Business Owners

About AXN

AXN is Asia’s leading general entertainment channel featuring exclusive top-rated drama series, blockbuster features, reality programs and ground-breaking original productions. The channel appeals to a discerning audience seeking content that is smart, intriguing and unexpected, all delivered close to U.S telecasts. From The Blacklist and Quantico, to MacGyver and The Amazing Race Asia, AXN is defined not by a genre, but by an attitude that truly redefines action.

Launched first in Asia in 1997, AXN is a global channel brand with a presence in Latin America, Africa and Europe. In Asia, the channel is enjoyed in 126 million households across 19 territories and is available in both SD and HD.

AXN Asia is wholly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and managed by Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia, which also operates leading channels including Animax, Sony Channel, ONE and GEM.