| MUMBAI:
Global pre-school entertainment channel JimJam has announced its continued expansion
through Asia, with the channel's first launch in Thailand and a carriage deal
with Indonesian platform, Indovision. The
roll out across Asia coincides with an on-air channel refresh.
JimJam,
a joint venture between Chello Zone and Hit Entertainment, launched in Thailand
last week on Cable Thai Holding, a consortium of TV operators, in a move that
further reinforces its rapid expansion through Asia. The
channel's deal with Cable Thai Holding, negotiated by Chello Zone via local agent
Triple T Network, is estimated to see it reach an additional 500,000 subscribers
initially and expected to increase to 1 million by the end of the year.
Chello Zone regional director Asia-Pacific Maria Kassova commented, "We are
extremely pleased with the rate at which JimJam has expanded in Asia and hope
to continue roll out in the region throughout the year. Cable Thai Holding and
Indovision are both strong DTH platforms to host JimJam and we look forward to
reaching our full potential in Asia." In
addition, JimJam's on-air refresh rolls out internationally from today on all
its feeds, which will be broadcast in over 50 countries across Asia, Europe and
the Middle East. Chello Zone's in-house production team has created a series of
colourful and recognisable environments to appeal to young children, in a blend
of animated and live action scenes. The launch theme is the jungle and will be
followed by further themes later this year, including outer space, circus and
the sea. JimJam
GM Wayne Dunsford says, "Our aim for JimJam's new on-air look is to create
an enhanced, vivid and stimulating viewing experience, which young children and
their carers will be able to share and enjoy together, and which will complement
the channel's high quality and hugely popular programming line-up." | 
