Turner International Asia Pacific said kids' channel Boomerang will launch on TV screens in 11 million households in Thailand later this month via free-sat broadcaster MGroup.
Boomerang will be available in the Thai language from Aug. 14 and will be the first truly international kids’ channel on a free cable and satellite platform, according to Turner. The channel will be locally operated by a subsidiary of Major Kantana Broadcasting Co. (MKB) and supported by M Turner Co., a new joint venture being established in Thailand by Turner Asia Pacific Ventures and MKB, which is itself a joint venture between M Picture and Kantana Group.
Steve Marcopoto, Turner’s President and managing director, said in a release: “We are delighted we will be launching Turner’s first free cable and satellite play in Thailand with our partners from Major Kantana Broadcasting. The entry into this joint venture demonstrates our commitment to increasing our presence in local markets and is the first of a number of new local partnerships that we will be announcing in the region. Thailand is a key market for us and Boomerang’s launch will come just months before the exciting scheduled opening of Cartoon Network Amazone in Bang Saray, Turner’s first themed waterpark anywhere in the world.”
The joint venture being formed between Turner and MKB will also envision further channel development in general entertainment and other genres, Turner said.
In other examples of Turner’s approach to Thailand, preschool brand Cartoonito debuted on MeTV in March and superhero channel Toonami launched on CTH and pay cable platforms in December 2012. The country is also one of the most important markets in the region for sales of Cartoon Network licensed merchandise.
