MUMBAI: Sports channel Star Sports, which is a part of Fox International Channels (Fic) Asia, has collaborated with global lubricants brand Shell Advance to develop an adventure travel series ?Freedom Riders Asia?, a turbo-injected programme that celebrates man and motorcycle on the move.

Hosted by biker Charley Boorman, ?Freedom Riders Asia? will see him pair up with local bikers from each country and embark on a journey to explore the colourful Asian cultures of India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand over six episodes starting from 15 May.

Over the course of each episode, he will engage with the local biking communities and experience the delights of the city and its people, as well as partake in unique activities that celebrate the distinctive motorcycle cultures of each country?..all on one tank of petrol.

Working closely with Shell, ?Freedom Riders Asia? was conceptualised and developed by the broadcaster with the programme concept of having one man on one bike with one tank of petrol embark on a road trip of a lifetime.

Fox One Stop Media senior VP Simeon Dawes said, ? ?Freedom Riders Asia? has been developed specifically for an Asian audience to meet the growing demographic of adventure and travel enthusiasts. We are confident that audiences in Asia and beyond will appreciate and enjoy the places and activities that Charley will visit and experience, especially due to the local colours and flavours showcased.?

?This collaboration is of particular significance as it marks the first time Star Sports has embarked on a project of such nature since becoming part of the FOX International Channels Asia network. We are delighted at being able to work closely with Shell Advance to produce this new programme format aimed at further engaging with our audiences on a deeper level.?

Shell Advance Global Brand Manager Kar Tai Koh said, ? ?Freedom Riders Asia? is all about celebrating and connecting bikers around Asia, while offering an entertaining travel and adventure experience to a wider audience. Importantly, through Charley, it is also a further expression of what Shell Advance stands for - enabling bikers to enjoy every ride and experience freedom through effortless mobility on the road.?

In addition to being broadcast and promoted on Star Sports, ?Freedom Riders Asia? will also aim to reach out to a significantly wider audience, through the promotion of the programme across Fic Asia?s family of channels such as Fox, National Geographic and FX, thus giving the programme a large promotional exposure.

MUMBAI: Following AMC?s Season 4 renewal of The Walking Dead, Fox International Channels (FIC) has confirmed the global pick up of the show for a fourth season.

FIC will follow its global release model as in previous years, making the series available in all major international TV markets worldwide across FIC?s 200 entertainment channels in 122 countries.

"We are thrilled about a fourth season and support Glen?s and AMC?s mutual decision. We are confident the show will continue with outstanding and compelling storytelling. The Walking Dead is a rare cultural phenomenon that speaks to the entire world and has a massive audience globally regardless of age, sex or ethnicity. It has a life of its own," FIC?s executive VP of original development and scripted programming Sharon Tal Yguado.

Season 3 returns this February with 8 additional episodes after the mid-season hiatus.

The Walking Dead is based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics. Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, David Alpert and Frank Darabont are executive producers. Greg Nicotero is a co-executive producer.

MUMBAI: On 8 August 2012, Fox International Channels (FIC) has formally completed its 51 per cent acquisition of Eredivisie Media and Marketing (EMM). The Dutch Competition Authority (NMa) has approved the acquisition, clearing the last leg of regulatory nods.

EMM is a media company which got established by the 18 clubs of the Dutch Premier League (Eredivisie), Endemol and KNVB (Dutch National Football Association). It is responsible for exploiting the collective media and sponsorship rights on behalf of Eredivisie.

FIC senior VP, head of corporate development Frank Carrere noted, "With our investments in Latin America, Asia, Africa and now Europe, Fic has secured a leadership position in key TV markets with substantial growth potential while furthering News Corporation?s commitment to delivering an unsurpassed sports viewing experience to consumers across the globe.?