ENTERTAINMENT NEWS - CELEBRITIES
JAPAN ENTERTAINMENT
Tokyo - July 24, 2008

ACTV launch FOX Backstage Pass, BS-11 news & entertainment programs in Japan

by Alice SiDaii
Premiere Pass

TOKYO - Access Television is expanding its original programs in Japan, announcing the creation of one new program and a tie-up with the Japanese prodcution firm Zodiac to produce news and entertainment programs for the new BS-11 network.

Access Television has launched a spin-off of its popular Access E entertainment magazine program on the FOX Japan television network.

The program, called "FOX Backstage Pass," airs original episodes Saturdays at 10:55 p.m., after the "Entertainment Tonight" program, with six rebroadcasts during the broadcast week.

The FOX Backstage Pass program features news and interviews with top international and Japanese film and music stars, fashion and special events.

Initial episodes have featured interviews with actress Nicole Kidman, rocker Lenny Kravitz, rapper Chingy, and Miss USA 2007 Rachel Smith as well as a weekly I Tunes countdown of the biggest selling songs on the international and Japanese charts.

FOX Backstage Pass executive producer Dan Smith said the program represents a steady evolution of ACTV's Japan originated entertainment programming.

"We were pretty happy for the three-season run of Access E on TV Kanagawa but when we saw the opportunity to go with a network like FOX, which is one of the biggest network brands in the world, it was an easy decision. We feel FOX is a perfect fit for us for this program," Smith said.

He said like Access E, the weekly FOX Backstage Pass show will go after the hottest entertainment newsmakers in Japan. Another concept Smith brought over from Access E is his use of the sexy Samurai Divas on red carpet events.

"These ladies have done excellent work for us reporting from red carpet and club events so it was just natural to include them in the FOX program where we can," Smith added.

FOX Backstage Pass marks the third project ACTV has produced for FOX television affiliates in Asia. ACTV aired a half-hour version of Access E for FOX Korea and also produced the highly heralded "Chasing Michael Jackson" documentary for FOX Japan.

The executive producer said he is equally excited about a new tie-up and production agreement with the Japanese television production firm Zodiac to produce news and documentary content for BS-11, as well as begin a one-hour version of Access E for that network.

"We are looking forward to developing news and entertainment programs with Zodiac and bringing our unique international perspective to Japanese television audiences."