Swedish executive Jonas Engwall has been named the new CEO of RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network, the recently formed joint venture between CBS Studios International and pan-European broadcaster RTL targeting the Asian market.
Jonas Engwall will be based in Singapore, reporting to the new company’s Board of Directors. He will oversee the launch of two branded RTL CBS thematic channels — RTL CBS Entertainment HD and RTL CBS Extreme HD — in up to 29 Asian markets including Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
The channels will combine programming from CBS — such as hit series Under The Dome and Elementary — with that of RTL.
“This is an unprecedented partnership between two leading global broadcasters in a region with huge growth potential,” says Engwall.
“Our new channels will offer world-renowned content including exclusive first runs of some of Asia’s favourite reality programmes America’s Got Talent, Fear Factor and The X Factor USA; dramas Under The Dome, Elementary and Beauty and the Beast and daily shows Entertainment Tonight and Late Show with David Letterman. I am very confident that these programmes will prove extremely popular across our footprint and represent a highly valuable proposition for all our partners. We have already had very positive feedback from all premier platform owners in the region.”
For the past three years, Engwall has led RTL’s expansion into India and Asia, which included the launch of RTL’s Indian channel, Big RTL Thrill, last year.
Andreas Rudas, RTL Group’s Executive Vice President Regional Operations and Business Development CEE and Asia, and Reed Manville, Executive Vice President, International Channels at CBS Studios International say in a joint statement about the appointment:
“We are delighted to announce the appointment of Jonas Engwall as CEO of our new Asian venture. Jonas has vast experience in international broadcasting, and a passion for television. He has been with RTL Group for many years and was instrumental in launching its first channel in India, BIG RTL Thrill. As head of the new venture, Jonas will lead a strong team which brings together the best of two global TV giants RTL Group and CBS.”
