MUMBAI: Popular television channel for babies and toddlers, BabyTV, will offer a Mandarin language option for viewers in Singapore, starting 3 September.

Parents will be able to choose between English or Chinese for all BabyTV programmes to suit the learning needs of their little ones.

BabyTV, Fox International‘s 24-hour commercial-free channel for up to 4 year olds, offers a line-up of exclusive programming that blends learning and entertainment for babies and toddlers.

The introduction of Mandarin during children‘s early formative years will enable them to have a better command of the language, especially in Singapore‘s predominantly English-speaking environment. BabyTV‘s new language initiative also aligns with the Singapore government‘s direction in promoting bilingualism, particularly for Mandarin.

"The additional language offering in BabyTV programmes helps to create a bilingual environment for toddlers in Singapore," said FOX International Channels (FIC) Singapore VP and Territory Head Yvonne Tay.

"Television is a great entertainment and educational tool for young viewers when introduced in the right environment. By offering dual language options, we hope to further strengthen the educational value of BabyTV."

Added StarHub VP of Home Solutions & Content Iris Wee, "BabyTV is an instrumental part of our Kids Basic Upsize Group. The new Mandarin language option is a welcome addition and will help improve language skills among our young viewers. This also broadens the channel‘s appeal and provides more options to our StarHub TV customers."

Two new animated series, Big Bugs Band and Stick with Mick, will be airing this September to enhance the new arrangement. Big Bugs Band is an animated programme that introduces musical pieces from different cultures, allowing kids to learn and enjoy music at the same time. Stick with Mick brings children to a world of new vocabulary and concepts of opposites, shapes and colours.

MUMBAI: Fox Traveller is launching a new series ?Ludo Bites America? with French chef, Ludovic Lefebvre (Ludo).

Starting on 6 August, the show will air every week Monday to Friday at 9.30 pm.

Fox International Channels vice president- marketing Debarpita Banerjee said, "Ludo Bites America is the ?action? genre of food based shows. Apart from the great food, there is a lot of drama, passionate outbursts, travel and other surprises in store. We are confident that the viewers will like food genius Ludo?s biting approach".

In the show, the chef will give a totally different spin to some of the popular items on the American menu. This is all part of the appeal of his ?pop up? restaurants, where he takes over the kitchen of a local eatery and sets up an innovative temporary restaurant, the channel said.

MUMBAI: National Geographic Channel will have shows around the action theme this month. Every day at 3 pm and 11 pm, viewers can watch the Deadly Ninjas, Lethal Samurai, Polar bears on prowl, and legendary fighter Bruce Lee pack in the real punches.

From the clash of the Spartans with the Ninjas to the techniques that the king of Kung fu used, to making martial art one of the most fascinating combination of art and science - the programming lineup will give viewers access to relentless action, before, after and in between the battles on the cricket field.

Built for the Kill, which airs from 23 April Monday-Friday at 3 pm, will focus on brutal predators, in the animal kingdom, as they go for the kill. Bruce Lee lives airs from 16- 20 April at 10 pm. This is a documentary about the Martial Arts? instructor.

?The Deadliest Warrior? airs from Monday - Friday at 11 pm. Warriors from Spartans to Attila the Hun - they will be pitted against each other for the coveted title of the Deadliest Warrior.

NGC Network India and Fox International Channels VP marketing, communication Debarpita Banerjee said, ?Viewer interest is at the heart of everything we do. This April, Nat Geo will amplify the action on the cricket field by bringing the best of combat on television. The power- packed programming will give viewers their fill of exciting content, before and after they cheer for their favourite teams in cricket.?

MUMBAI: Fox International Channels (Fic) has bagged multi-year exclusive TV distribution rights for the Ultimate Fighting
Championship.

The property will air in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Southeast Asia, Fox and Fox Movies Premium. The pay-TV network continues to add more live event television to its programming lineup. The deal includes fight events, such as UFC-144 which aired live on Fox Movies Premium last month, and other UFC programmes and events.

Fox is airing the 15th season of ?The Ultimate Fighter?, a reality show.

The UFC - a promoter of the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA) - has held events in cities as diverse as Tokyo, London, Rio de Janeiro, Abu Dhabi and all over the US. UFC programming is available to over 1 billion people around the world.

In Asia, the popularity of the sport is growing rapidly with the rise of Asian UFC fighters such as Chan Sung Jung from Korea, dubbed the "Korean Zombie" and Tiequan Zhang from China, nicknamed "The Mongolian Wolf." Inspired by the UFC phenomenon, many MMA gyms and classes have also cropped up in cities across Asia to tap into the trend and cater to the growing fan base.

Fox International Channels president of Asia Pacific and the Middle East Ward Platt said, "Fic?s partnership with the UFC is breaking new ground by connecting audiences in Asia to the fastest growing sport in the world. We are already the leaders in general entertainment with the best series and movies, so this is a way for us to also bring live event television to our audiences."

Ultimate Fighting Championship MD of Asia Mark Fischer said, "There is a rapidly-growing base of die-hard UFC fans in Asia. With FIC?s great channel brands and leading position, we can?t think of better pay-TV network to partner with to reach these fans."

MUMBAI: GMA Worldwide, the content acquisition and distribution subsidiary of Philippine multimedia company GMA Network, has signed a three-year output deal with Fox International Channels.

The deal comprises at least 350 hours worth of locally produced programmes and 25 feature films for airing through Fox?s cable channels this year.

Fic, which is among GWI?s top global partners, is a subsidiary of a global media conglomerate that reaches millions of households worldwide. Among GMA productions delivered to Hong Kong for airing over Fox?s Philippine feed include ?Encantadia?, ?Darna?, ?Dyesebel? and ?Super Twins?; Filipino television adaptation of dramas ?Stairway To Heaven?, ?Trudis Liit? and ?Babangon Ako?t Dudurugin Kita? and News and Public Affairs programmes ?Wish Ko Lang?, ?Pinoy Meets World? and ?Pinoy Abroad?.

GWI also distributed films like ?My Best Friend?s Girlfriend?, ?When I Met You?, ?Yaya and Angelina? and Temptation Island.