New Lionsgate Television Series Orange Is The New Black Becoming A Global Phenomenon With Successful Launch on Youku In China 24 Hours After U.S. Debut On Netflix

Show Has Generated Nearly 9 Million Views to Date In China, Highlighting Groundbreaking Content Licensing Deal Between Celestial Tiger Entertainment And Youku


Hong Kong (August 22, 2013) – The content licensing deal between Celestial Tiger Entertainment (CTE), Lionsgate’s (NYSE: LGF) partner in Asia and one of Asia's largest vertically integrated independent entertainment companies, and Youku Tudou Inc. (NYSE: YOKU), one of the leading internet television companies in China, is off to a fast start as the highly-anticipated Lionsgate television series Orange is the New Black has generated nearly 9 million views in its first six weeks in China and has already become one of Youku’s most watched Western dramas.

The deal granted Youku the exclusive premiere of Orange Is The New Black only 24 hours after its U.S. debut on Netflix, one of the earliest debuts ever for a U.S. show on an international digital platform.

In addition to Orange Is The New Black, Youku's advertising-supported video on demand (VOD) service is also showcasing other Lionsgate television series such as the critically-acclaimed and multiple Emmy Award-winning series Mad Men.

"We are very excited to expand our partnership with Youku on films and television series, and Orange Is The New Black has gotten our latest content licensing deal off to a strong start. There is tremendous buzz on the show worldwide and it is a testament to how the media business is changing globally, with the successful premiere of the show in China on a leading internet television company only 24 hours after it premiered online in the U.S. on Netflix," said Wendy Reeds, CTE's Executive Vice President, Content Sales and Distribution.

"Presenting a show such as Orange Is The New Black is one step closer to our ultimate goal of building up one of the largest online video libraries in China with the best selection," said Xiangyang Zhu, Chief Content Officer of Youku Tudou Inc. "We were thrilled to be able to show the latest hit U.S. television series almost the same day as when American audiences got to enjoy it, and we’re delighted with the results so far.  We’re always on the lookout for great content to wow our 400 million viewers."

Orange Is The New Black is a comedic drama series created by Jenji Kohan, creator of the hit comedy Weeds, and produced by Lionsgate Television. The 13-episode series is based on the best-selling memoir Orange Is The New Black: My Year In a Women's Prison by Piper Kerman. The show revolves around the experiences of Piper, a happily-engaged PR executive, after she is sentenced to minimum security prison for a decade-old offence. To survive, Piper must traverse the fascinating world of women's prison; where gangs are like families, and baking cheesecake in a microwave is the coolest thing to do.

Orange Is The New Black premiered in the U.S. on Netflix on July 11 to rave critical reviews and has already been renewed by Netflix for a second season.  It debuted on Youku on July 12, and Youku has also licensed the exclusive online VOD rights to the second and all subsequent seasons.

CTE's previous content licensing deal with Youku covered 200 movie titles from Lionsgate which included such acclaimed titles as Hotel Rwanda, Monster's Ball and Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium.

Lionsgate is partnered in CTE with Saban Capital Group and Astro’s Celestial Pictures.  CTE exclusively sells Lionsgate's content in Greater China and Southeast Asia and also represents the studio's television content and film library in Japan and Korea.


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Media Contact:

Pauline Poon

Celestial Tiger Entertainment

T: 852 2239 6131

E: pauline.poon@celestialtiger.com


About Celestial Tiger Entertainment

CELESTIAL TIGER ENTERTAINMENT (CTE) is a diversified media company dedicated to entertaining audiences in Asia and beyond. The company focuses on the operation of branded pay television channels, content creation and content distribution targeted at Asian consumers.

CTE operates a powerful bouquet of distinct pay television channels including: CELESTIAL MOVIES, the most broadly distributed 24-hour Chinese and Asian movies channel in the world; CELESTIAL CLASSIC MOVIES, the gateway to an unparalleled array of Chinese movie masterpieces; CELESTIAL MOVIES ON DEMAND, Celestial’s subscription Video On Demand service; KIX, the ultimate in action entertainment; Thrill, Asia's only horror and suspense movie channel; and KIX HD, featuring the best of action with a late-night dose of thrillers in high definition.

As one of Asia’s largest vertically integrated independent entertainment companies, CTE produces original content which complements its channels business. CTE is also the exclusive sales agent for Hollywood studio Lionsgate in Greater China and Southeast Asia, and represents Lionsgate’s television content and vast feature film library in Japan and Korea as well.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, CTE's majority shareholders are Saban Capital Group, a leading private investment firm specializing in the media, entertainment and communications industries; Celestial Pictures, a major Asian entertainment company wholly-owned by Astro, the owner and operator of the leading DTH platform in Malaysia; and Lionsgate, the world’s largest independent filmed entertainment studio.


About Youku Tudou Inc

Youku Tudou Inc. is China's leading Internet television company. Through Youku and Tudou, China's two largest online video platforms, viewers are offered a rich library of premium licensed content, user generated content, and original in-house productions. Its mission is to become the primary source of online video content for Chinese internet users across all internet-enabled devices. Youku Tudou's American depositary shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol "YOKU."