BEIJING, Oct. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Endemol, a world
leader in multiplatform entertainment, today announced it is
partnering with China's leading
digital video platform Youku Tudou Inc. to launch the first ever
Chinese version of global reality hit Big Brother.
The new series will be a collaboration between Youku Tudou Inc.
and Endemol China. Both parties will contribute their strengths to
the co-operation, including Youku's strong digital platforms, its
advertising and interactive capabilities and Endemol its production
expertise and international distribution network. Launching in
Early 2015, Big Brother China will run for ten weeks and production
is expected to begin soon.
Endemol's CEO of Asian Operations Arjen
van Mierlo comments, "We're
thrilled to announce this landmark deal with Youku Tudou Inc.,
bringing a format that has changed the face of television to
China for the first time. In a
market that annually generates hundreds of billions of video views,
partnering with the number one digital video platform will allow us
to bring Big Brother to a young audience and deliver the most
immersive, interactive and unique experience to fans across the
nation."
Victor Koo, Chairman and CEO of
Youku Tudou Inc., adds, "We are delighted to be joining forces
with Endemol to finally bring this groundbreaking format to
China. Fifteen years after its
launch, Big Brother continues to be a worldwide hit that engages
passionate young fans across multiple platforms. Youku Tudou has
been advancing its multi-screen media and entertainment ecosystem
to provide its users with higher quality original content. By
partnering with Endemol, Youku Tudou can build on its achievements
with this great fit into our business model."
Youku Tudou Inc. currently has over 500,000,000 active users
across screens, annually generating over 200 billion views.
Endemol (Beijing) Culture Media
Co., Ltd. (Endemol China) is a new
operation that has been established in Beijing and is engaged in developing and
co-developing formats, providing production consultancy services,
exploiting content and promoting Chinese content abroad. Endemol
has been active in the Chinese market since 2005 and is closely
co-operating with the leading TV broadcasters and digital platforms
in China.
Endemol's hits in China include
five series of celebrity talent format Your Face Sounds Familiar for Hunan TV and The Brain for
Jiangsu, which has won the
top award at the prestigious Golden
Eagle ceremony, China's
biggest TV awards; and is now in production for season two.
Endemol China is part of Endemol Asia, which has grown to become
Asia's largest formatprovider with
more than 45 series sold across the region last year (excluding
India where Endemol operates
separately to serve the Hindi and regional markets).
25 series of Big Brother will have aired in more than 70
countries across 2014. After 15 years, the format continues to be a
hit in the USA, UK, Australia, Italy, Spain,
Canada and Israel as well as in Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Africa and Asia.
For more information:
Charlie Gardner
tel: +44 (0) 7977 075 643
charlie.gardner@endemol.com
ABOUT ENDEMOL
Endemol is a world leading creator, producer and distributor of
multiplatform entertainment. The company annually produces over
15,000 hours of programming across scripted and non-scripted
genres, including drama, reality TV, comedy, game shows,
entertainment, factual and kids programming.
Endemol comprises a global network of creative companies in more
than 30 countries and works with over 300 broadcasters, digital
platforms and licensees worldwide. The business covers development,
production, marketing, distribution, franchise management and
multi-platform initiatives including digital video, gaming and
apps.
Endemol's credits in non-scripted entertainment include
worldwide hits such as Big Brother, Deal or No Deal, Wipeout, The
Money Drop and Your Face Sounds Familiar. The company's growing
portfolio of award winning drama and comedy includes international
titles such as The Fall, Peaky Blinders, Hell On Wheels, Benidorm,
Ripper Street, Black Mirror, Bad Education, Mad Fat Diary, Hot in
Cleveland, Kirstie, Leverage, Home
and Away, Death Comes to Pemberley and The Crimson Field.
As one of the world's largest independent content distributors,
Endemol launches over 80 new entertainment formats a year on
broadcast networks across the globe and distributes more than
33,000 hours of finished programming. The company's creative teams
around the world are continuously developing new ideas that are
shared across the Endemol network.
Endemol is headquartered in Amsterdam,
the Netherlands.
For more information: www.endemol.com or follow us on
Twitter @endemol
About Youku Tudou Inc.
Youku Tudou Inc. (NYSE: YOKU) is China's leading Internet television company.
Its Youku and Tudou Internet television platforms enable users to
search, view and share high-quality video content quickly and
easily across multiple devices. Its Youku brand and Tudou brand are
the most recognized online video brands in China. Youku Tudou's American depositary
shares, each representing 18 of Youku Tudou's Class A ordinary
shares, are traded on the NYSE under the symbol "YOKU."
For more information, please contact:
Jay Chen
Communications Director
Youku Tudou Inc.
Tel: (+8610) 5885-1881 x 7161
Email: jaychen@youku.com
SOURCE Youku Tudou Inc.