Granada TV Adds StarHub In Singapore

Singapore, ITV STUDIOS Global Entertainment today announced that it will launch Granada TV, Asia’s newest general entertainment channel, on December 1st 2009 on the StarHub pay TV platform.

This landmark deal will make Granada TV one of the few channels that is accessible to every pay TV subscriber in Singapore. Granada TV will now be available through both StarHub Cable TV and Singtel IPTV platforms.

When the channel launches on StarHub it will initially be made available free to all StarHub TV customers via channel 96 for six months (until 31 May 2010). Thereafter it will be part of a yet-to-be-announced packaging proposition.

Granada TV offers a compelling variety of contemporary dramas, comedy, cutting-edge reality programming and the best in talk and entertainment shows. The channel is part of ITV STUDIOS Global Entertainment, and draws on the vast resources of the ITV STUDIOS programming portfolio. ITV is UK's most successful commercial broadcaster and one of the world’s largest television producers.

Ms Ong Bee Lian, StarHub’s Vice President of Home Solutions said, “We aim to consistently add value to our cable TV service by offering customers breadth with our wide range of branded channels, and depth in programming with our award-winning and highly rated content from around the world. We are delighted to strengthen our selection of choice programming with the launch of Granada TV, and hope to give customers a taste of what StarHub TV has to offer in terms of UK content through this special preview period of the channel.”

James Ross, Regional Director - Asia, ITV STUDIOS Global Entertainment said “The launch of Granada TV on StarHub is another milestone since its 2008 launch. Granada TV is now available in over a dozen territories with more distribution agreements set to be announced in the coming months. By partnering with StarHub we will be able to introduce a new Singapore audience to an extraordinary range of fresh entertainment programming from ITV Studios, one of the worlds leading TV production companies.”

Programmes that StarHub TV customers can enjoy on Granada TV this December include:

• ‘Prime Suspect’ (Series 3 and 4 from 12 December, Saturdays at 10pm): An enthralling series starring internationally acclaimed actress Helen Mirren as tough-talking detective Jane Tennison in a landmark role which has earned her a host of awards, including a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress In A Mini-Series Or Special and a BAFTA award for Best Actress.
• ‘A Christmas Carol’ (23 December, 9pm): A contemporary version of the Dickens classic starring Ross Kemp as Scrooge.
• ‘Christmas Lights’ (24 December, 9pm): Robson Green and Mark Benton star in this critically-acclaimed comedy drama about two friends who take rivalry to the extremes and end up forgetting what Christmas is really about.
• The Springer Show’ (Continuing every Monday throughout December): A UK version of ‘The Jerry Springer Show’, a television tabloid talk show hosted by former politician Jerry Springer.
• ‘Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway’ (Continuing every Saturday throughout December): Hosted by the comedic duo Ant & Dec, this variety show gives those in the audience a chance to win the items featured in commercial breaks.
• ‘Rough Diamond’ (Series 1 and 2 from 10 December, Thursdays at 9pm): Award-winning actor David Jason stars as Des Parker, a loveable rogue in prison who, beneath the harmless exterior, is actually a razor-sharp master of disguise.
• ‘Othello’ (22 December, 9pm): A stunning contemporary drama written by acclaimed Andrew Davies that takes Shakespeare’s timeless themes of jealousy, betrayal and murder into a gritty, metropolitan setting.