Andy Kaplan & George Chien’s KC Global to shutter GEM in Japan

Alex Rider

Andy Kaplan and George Chien’s KC Global Media is shuttering its Japanese linear network GEM from August.

KC Global, which was launched by former Sony Pictures Television (SPT) alums Kaplan and Chien in 2020, said the decision had been made to dedicate resources to the other channels in its portfolio: AXN, Animax and ONE TV Asia.

Chien, co-founder & president at KC Global, added that the move would allow it to “further strengthen our position as a leader in specific content genres”, with a focus on action and drama for AXN, Japanese anime for Animax, and Korean programming for ONE.

KC Global’s Kaplan and Chien acquired AXN and Animax, along with ONE and GEM, from their former employers SPT in 2020.

Kaplan previously worked for SPT as president of its Worldwide Network’s division until 2018, departing amidst a senior managenent restructure in 2018. Chien was responsible for AXN as EVP of Sony’s Media Networks arm, and was before that Sony’s EVP of Asia Pacific networks.

The networks offer shows ranging from FBI: Most Wanted, NCIS: Hawai’i and the second season of youth drama Alex Rider.