NBCU, Sony exit HBO Asia

A shareholder reshuffle at HBO Asia has seen NBC Universal and Sony Pictures Entertainment exit the joint venture, leaving it jointly owned by HBO and Paramount Films.

Under the new equity structure HBO, part of Time Warner, is the majority partner in HBO Asia, which operates five premium channels in 22 Asian markets. HBO is believed to have doubled its original 40% stake through deals with Sony and NBCU.

HBO said the Singapore-based broadcaster’s “strong performance and brand recognition in Asia” was the driving force behind the decision to expand it stake.

Fifteen-year-old HBO Asia operates three HBO-branded channels and the Cinemax action and suspense channel, as well as HBO On Demand in Hong Kong. HBO also acquired a majority stake in HBO India as part of today’s deal.

Despite the two US studios exiting the HBO Asia venture to focus on their own Asian expansion plans, the channel has ongoing output deals from Hollywood studios including Sony’s Columbia/TriStar, NBC Universal, Paramount/DreamWorks and Warner Bros.