Sumo Gets the HDTV Treatment

Just imagine: a half ton of prime Japanese fighting machines in glorious high-def! Total Sports Asia Japan (TSA) has signed a license with Big Media Holdings for Japanese pro-wrestling sports marketed by TSA, including Grand Sumo matches, for a new – as yet unnamed – HD channel and is under wraps at the moment.

Total Sports Asia is based directly in many Asian and Far East countries including Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo, Bangkok, Mumbai and Delhi. Its main business is media rights distribution, TV production, sponsorship, events management and consulting. Big Media is a leading content provider to all major pay per view and VOD platforms in North America, and to cable, satellite, free-to-air, and IPTV broadcasters worldwide.

TSA has taken more than 100 hours of content, including ‘New Japan Pro Wresting’ and Grand Sumo, and is anticipating wider distribution. “We are very pleased with the interest that we have received, and we are confident that this new deal will further increase the popularity of top quality Japanese fight content worldwide”, said Chung See LIANG, Managing Director (Korea/Japan) of Total Sports Asia.

“Being able to include Total Sports Asia’s premium HD content in the channel’s lineup will only serve to enhance the viewers’ experience. Big Media continues to be a major media partner for existing and new broadcasters, acquiring hundreds of hours of HD programming, and helping channels expand their carriage into territories around the world”, said Danny Wilk, President of Big Media.