WarnerTV moves from HBO to Turner bouquet

The WarnerTV channel in Asia will now be distributed by Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific.

Previously HBO Asia was the exclusive distributor of the channel in Asia, but it will now be part of Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific’s portfolio of general entertainment offerings.

Turner, HBO and Warner Bros. are all ultimately owned by Time Warner.

The WarnerTV channel is programmed with content from the studio including The Mentalist, Without a Trace and hit comedy The Big Bang Theory.

It also has Warner Bros.’ movies including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Turner said it plans to double the number of first-run shows on the channel and up its programming hours by 30%.

The changes are effective immediately. Turner said there are no immediate alterations to the branding or positioning of the channel planned.

Ricky Ow (above), president of Turner International Asia Pacific, said in a statement: “This announcement makes a bold statement, and demonstrates Turner’s commitment to general entertainment and to audiences that are passionate about great television. With the addition of WarnerTV, the Turner portfolio now includes Asia Pacific’s best-loved brands in the news, kids and general entertainment genres.”

WarnerTV is currently available in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Palau, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea.

The news represents one of Ow’s first major moves since taking over the Turner Asia Pac business in January. Sunny Saha, the division’s managing director of entertainment networks, exited in February.