Media Release

TURNER APAC PARTNERS WITH TV ASAHI ON “SUPER SHIRO” SERIES

TOKYO/HONG KONG (February 18, 2019) – Turner Asia Pacific and TV Asahi have announced a collaboration on a new animated series called SUPER SHIRO. The partnership was sealed last week at Kidscreen Summit in Miami.

The agreement includes broadcast rights across Asia Pacific (ex-China). This is the first regional deal between the two parties and includes a sizeable investment from Turner.

The fast-paced chase series is inspired by the hugely-popular “Crayon Shin chan” franchise, which has aired internationally since 1992. SUPER SHIRO is produced by Shin-ei Animation, known for both “Doraemon” and “Crayon Shin chan”, and Science SARU, a Tokyo-based animation studio led by Masaaki Yuasa.

Masaaki Yuasa is the executive director on the series. He was a Cristal Award Winner at the 2017 Annecy International Animation Film Festival and recently won the 41st Japan Academy Prize for “Animation of the Year”. He also guest-directed the “Food Chain” episode from Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time.

Edward Barnieh, Director of Acquisitions and Co-productions at Turner Asia Pacific, said: “Turner’s investment in the series is testament to its strategy of developing quality local IP and takes our long-term partnership with TV Asahi to the next level. We’re confident that this collaborative effort will result in the creation of another awesome fan-favourite.”

Takahiro Kishimoto, Head of Animation, International Business Department of TV Asahi, added: “We are delighted to partner with an international media company like Turner. With its extensive reach and brand recognition in Asia Pacific, we are certain kids will get to enjoy SUPER SHIRO even more. We truly believe this collaboration strengthens the partnership between our two companies.”

The kids series (48x5.5’) is expected to launch in early 2020 across Turner’s Kids channels Cartoon Network, Boomerang and POGO.

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For more information, contact:

Turner – James Moore james.moore@turner.com / +65 6801-7996

TV Asahi – International Business Department ml-ips-anime@tv-asahi.co.jp / +81-3-6406-1952

About SUPER SHIRO

Original IP: Yoshito Usui

Executive Director: Masaaki Yuasa

Director: Tomohisa Shimoyama; Script: Kimiko Ueno

Production House: Science SARU

Production Committee: Shin-ei Animation, TV Asahi, ADK EM and Futabasha

About Turner Asia Pacific

Turner is a global entertainment, sports and news company that creates premium content, and delivers exceptional experiences to fans whenever and wherever they consume content. In Asia Pacific, Turner owns and operates award-winning brands throughout the region, running 54 channels in 14 languages in 42 countries. These include CNN International, CNNj, CNN, HLN, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Boomerang, POGO, Warner TV, Oh!K, MondoTV, TABI Channel, Tabi Tele, Mondo Mah-Jong TV; and HBO, HBO HD and WB in South Asia. Turner manages the business of Pay- and Free-TV-channels, as well as Internet-based services. It owns and exploits properties such as Tuzki, and oversees commercial partnerships with various third-party media ventures. Turner teams with Warner Bros. and HBO to leverage WarnerMedia’s global reach. Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, Inc. (“Turner Asia Pacific”) is a WarnerMedia company.

About TV Asahi Corporation

TV Asahi Corporation (Tokyo Stock Exchange 9409) is a major broadcaster with 23 local affiliates that extend coverage across the entire Japanese archipelago. Our global network of 15 bureaus abroad ensures speedy newsgathering from all over the world. The headquarters, situated in the southeastern area of the Roppongi Hills complex, consists of 5 major TV studios, facilities for program production and broadcasting, and headquarters' office, which together function as a cutting edge digital media station. Through Shin-ei Animation, its wholly owned animation arm, TV Asahi is strengthening innovative developments in animation shows for Japan and all over the world.