Star China Media
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Media |
| Predecessor | Star Greater China |
| Founded | 1991 in Hong Kong |
| Founder | Hutchison Whampoa and Li Ka-Shing (original Star TV) |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong , China |
Area served | Mainland China, Hong Kong, Asia |
Key people | Li Ruigang (China Media Capital) |
| Products | Television networks (Xing Kong, Channel V Mainland China), film catalog (Fortune Star) |
| Owner | China Media Capital |
| Parent | China Media Capital |
Star China Media (), also referred to as Star (CM) Holdings, is a Chinese media enterprise under the ownership of China Media Capital. The company oversees television networks such as Xing Kong and Channel V Mainland China, in addition to managing the Fortune Star film catalog.
Initially, it was a segment of the original News Corporation's Star TV group based in Hong Kong, before China Media Capital acquired a partial interest in 2010 and secured complete control by 2014.
Establishment
Star TV (Satellite Television Asian Region) was established in British Hong Kong (present-day Hong Kong) in 1991 as a collaborative venture between Hutchison Whampoa and Li Ka-Shing. It debuted as a Pan-Asian Hollywood English-language entertainment channel aimed at audiences across Asia.
1991–2009
The launch of Star Greater China occurred in 1991, featuring five channels: Prime Sports, Star Plus, BBC WSTV, MTV, and Star Chinese Channel.
In 1992, Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation purchased a 63.6% share of Star Greater China for $525 million, achieving full ownership by January 1993. The operations were conducted from Fox Broadcasting's facilities. Murdoch emphasized satellite broadcasting's capacity to circumvent state-controlled media in restrictive societies.
By August 2009, the Star Group reorganized its Asian broadcasting divisions into three distinct entities: Star Greater China, Star India, and Fox International Channels Asia. Headquartered independently in Hong Kong, Star Greater China managed assets including Xing Kong, Channel V Mainland China, and the Fortune Star film library.
Acquisition by CMC
In August 2010, News Corporation divested a controlling interest in its mainland Chinese holdings to China Media Capital (CMC), led by Li Ruigang of Shanghai Media Group. This deal encompassed Xing Kong (both domestic and international versions), Channel V Mainland China, and the Fortune Star film collection, resulting in the formation of a joint venture named Star China Media.
By January 2014, CMC together with Star China's management purchased the remaining shares from 21st Century Fox—News Corporation’s television spin-off—signifying Fox’s withdrawal from Mandarin-language entertainment television in Mainland China.
Star China Media became publicly traded in 2021 with its listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKSE), receiving approval for the application on December 29, 2022.