GEM (formerly known as Sony GEM until 2020) was a pay television channel owned by KC Global Media Asia (formerly owned by Sony Asia). This channel was first launched in Vietnam on 1 January 2014[1] and was subsequently rolled out in other countries in Southeast Asia. The channel broadcast Japanese-language programming with subtitle in local languages.
 Final logo from March 17, 2020 until August 1, 2024 | |
| Country | Singapore |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Southeast Asia |
| Headquarters | Number 10, Changi Business Park Central 2 #03-01, Hansapoint @ Changi Business Park, Changi, Singapore |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | Japanese English Mandarin Cantonese (2015–2021; 2022–2024) Thai Indonesian Malay Vietnamese (2014–2019) |
| Picture format | 1080i HDTV |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | KC Global Media Asia |
| Sister channels | AXN Animax ONE |
| History | |
| Launched | 1 January 2014 (Vietnam) 1 October 2015 (Hong Kong, Indonesia, Cambodia and Thailand) 17 March 2020 (Singapore and the Philippines) 1 October 2021 (Malaysia) 1 September 2022 (Hong Kong, relaunch) |
| Closed | 21 February 2019 (Vietnam) 1 August 2024 (rest of Asia) |
| Former names | Sony GEM (2014–2020) |
| Links | |
| Website | https://www.gemtvasia.com |
On 21 February 2019, the channel closed down in Vietnam due to low audience.
GEM was closed on 1 August 2024 due to low viewers on cable TV, low demand on Japanese TV series as some may not be available outside Japan, and even lack of newer shows, as they shift the focus on their other channels (AXN for English entertainment, Animax for highly-demanded anime series, and ONE for K-drama and K-variety show).[2][3] Prior to the shutdown, they aired the anime Shadows House mid-season before the series resumed on Animax.
References
edit- ^ Frater, Patrick (21 October 2013). "Sony's GEM to Shine in Vietnam". Variety. Retrieved 31 August 2023.
- ^ Middleton, Richard (14 May 2024). "Andy Kaplan & George Chien's KC Global to shutter GEM in Japan". TBI Vision. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ Antonio Pineda, Rafael (25 July 2024). "KC Global Media Shuts Down GEM TV Channel on August 1". Anime News Network. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
External links
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