Radio Australia has revealed that Australia's international television channel, Australia Network, has signed a long-term cooperation agreement with a Chinese network, International Channel Shanghai (ICS). As revealed by the ABU, Australia Network programmes will be aired by ICS and Shanghai Media Group will have access to studio and production support in Australia.
Following the signing of the agreement in Shanghai by chairman of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Maurice Newman,and Shanghai Media Group president Li Ruigang, the broadcasters will look at other options including exchange of programmes, mutual news gathering support and supply of content, and even television programme co-productions.
The ABC already has cooperation agreements with China's national broadcaster, CCTV, and Chongqing Television and Radio Group, while Shanghai is the only Chinese city with its own dedicated international English language channel. Australia Network, operated by Australia's national broadcaster, the ABC, has built up over 10 years to broadcast to 44 countries and 22 million households across the Asia-Pacific region.
‘It is vitally important in today's economic and cultural environment that solid international partnerships are forged and maintained between major international media companies,’ Maurice Newman says.
