What Celestial Tiger Entertainment does

Celestial Tiger Entertainment (CTE) is a Hong Kong-headquartered independent Asian media company formed in December 2011 as a joint venture among Saban Capital Group, Celestial Pictures Limited (a wholly-owned unit of Astro), and Lionsgate. The company operates what it describes as the largest bouquet of pan-Asian channels dedicated to Asian entertainment, distributing ten branded pay TV channels — Celestial Movies, CM+, CCM (Celestial Classic Movies), Celestial Movies Pinoy, PopC, KIX, Thrill, Miao Mi, and cHK — plus the CMGO subscription streaming app, across 16+ platforms in 8+ territories spanning Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Korea, China, India, the USA, and Africa. Content is anchored by the Shaw Brothers Film Library (760+ digitally restored films) via Celestial Pictures and exclusive output deals with major Hong Kong and Chinese film studios including Emperor Motion Pictures, Media Asia Distribution, Mega-Vision Project Workshop, Universe Entertainment, and Distribution Workshop, supplemented by a content partnership with iQIYI for online Chinese movies.

CTE's technology footprint centers on the CMGO subscription streaming application (offering multi-profile, offline viewing, parental PIN controls, and ad-free streaming at S$6.98/month in Singapore) and the underlying channel packaging, OTT, and on-demand delivery infrastructure distributed through operator partners. The company monetizes through four streams: (1) recurring subscription revenue from licensing its channel bouquet to pay TV operators and telcos (Astro, Singtel, StarHub, myTV SUPER, unifi TV, MNC Sky Vision, CTH, MediaCorp Toggle); (2) content licensing royalties, including as the exclusive sales agent for Lionsgate content across Greater China, Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea; (3) advertising sales across the channel bouquet; and (4) nascent direct-to-consumer subscription revenue from CMGO, launched in August 2024 with Singapore as the initial market. The primary customer base is Asian pay TV and streaming consumers seeking Chinese and Asian entertainment content, served B2B through regional telcos and OTT platforms with an emerging B2C layer via CMGO.

Name

Celestial Tiger Entertainment

Legal name

Celestial Movie Channel Limited

Website

https://celestialtiger.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Celestial Tiger Entertainment is a Hong Kong-based joint venture of Saban Capital Group, Celestial Pictures (Astro), and Lionsgate that operates the largest bouquet of pan-Asian entertainment pay TV channels plus the CMGO streaming app, distributing Chinese, action, horror/thriller, and kids content to Asian pay TV operators and streaming consumers across 16+ platforms in 8+ territories.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pan-Asian Pay TV Channels and Streaming

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5162)

SIC

Cable & Other Pay Television Services (4841), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro primary industry

General Entertainment Cable Networks (MPABAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

General Entertainment SVOD Platforms (MPACAAAA), Pay-TV / Premium Window Distribution (MPADAJAH)

Keywords

• Pay TV channels
• Chinese movie streaming
• Content licensing
• Asian entertainment distribution
• SVOD services

Headquarters

HQ city

Kwun Tong

HQ country

Hong Kong SAR China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Pay TV Channel Distribution: CTE generates revenue by licensing its branded channel bouquet (Celestial Movies, CM+, CCM, KIX, Thrill, Miao Mi, cHK, PopC) to pay TV operators across Asia. Channels are distributed as linear, on-demand, and OTT services through platform partnerships.
2. Streaming Subscription (CMGO): Direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service for Chinese movies. Available through platform partners (Singtel, StarHub) or direct signup. Subscribers pay monthly fee for ad-free access with offline viewing and multi-profile support.
3. Content Licensing: CTE serves as exclusive sales agent for Lionsgate content in Greater China and Southeast Asia, licensing TV series and feature films to broadcasters and platforms. Also distributes Lionsgate content in Japan and Korea.
4. Advertising Sales: Revenue generated from advertising on CTE's channel bouquet reaching audiences across Asia.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Celestial Tiger Entertainment operates the largest bouquet of pan-Asian pay TV channels dedicated to Asian entertainment, including Celestial Movies, CM+, CCM, Celestial Movies Pinoy, PopC, KIX, Thrill, Miao Mi, and cHK. The company licenses this channel bouquet to pay TV operators and telcos across Asia and distributes content via linear, on-demand, and OTT services. It also operates CMGO, a subscription streaming app launched in 2024, and serves as exclusive sales agent for Lionsgate content in Greater China and Southeast Asia.

Product overview

Celestial Tiger Entertainment operates a bouquet of branded pay television channels and streaming services dedicated to Asian entertainment. The portfolio includes CMGO (streaming app), Celestial Movies, CM+, CCM (Celestial Classic Movies), Celestial Movies Pinoy, PopC, KIX, Thrill, Miao Mi, and cHK channels. These channels cover Chinese movies (classic and contemporary), action entertainment, horror/thriller content, and kids edutainment, distributed across SVOD, OTT, digital, and linear TV services in Asia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CMGO: Chinese Movie subscription streaming app launched in 2024, offering curated selection of movies from Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.
• Celestial Movies
• CM+
• CCM (Celestial Classic Movies)
• Celestial Movies Pinoy
• PopC
• KIX
• Thrill
• Miao Mi
• cHK

Products and services

• CMGO Chinese movie subscription streaming app offering curated selection of movies from Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia, including exclusive titles, original versions, and CMGO Originals. Targeted at Asian viewers seeking consolidated Chinese movie content.
• Celestial Movies Asia's leading premium Chinese movie service since 2003, featuring exclusive and first-run titles throughout the year from Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan. Distributed as a linear and on-demand pay TV channel.
• CM+ Movie channel featuring the latest blockbusters from across Asia with first and exclusive titles premiering all year round.
• CCM (Celestial Classic Movies) Chinese movie channel presenting digitally remastered masterpieces from the Shaw Brothers studio, including iconic Kung Fu films and drama movies. Reached 8 territories and 16 platforms by 2013.
• Celestial Movies Pinoy 24/7 Tagalog-language Chinese movie channel featuring classic and contemporary Chinese movies in genres such as action, romance, thriller, horror, and drama, targeted at Filipino audiences.
• PopC Chinese online movie channel offering high-quality, high hit-rate titles from China across fantasy, action, suspense/thriller, and comedy genres.
• KIX Asian action entertainment channel offering action movies, celebrity game shows, reality series, and Asian-focused fight events. KIX HD ranked #1 English HD channel in Malaysia on Astro.
• Thrill Asia's first regional movie channel dedicated 24/7 to horror, thriller, and suspense genres, featuring content from Asia and Hollywood and a selection of chilling TV series.
• Miao Mi Mandarin entertainment and educational kids channel offering carefully curated programmes and original series with an Asian perspective for children ages 3 to 6.
• cHK General entertainment channel offering cool, chic, and contemporary Hong Kong entertainment including movies, celebrity-driven infotainment, lifestyle shows, and dramas in high definition.
• Lionsgate Content Licensing (Sales Agency) Exclusive sales agency services licensing Lionsgate TV series and feature films to broadcasters and digital platforms in Greater China and Southeast Asia, with Lionsgate TV and film library representation in Japan and Korea.

Quantifiable outcome

• 7.6 million additional subscribers achieved in 2018
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• SingtelcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 15 August 2024Singapore's largest telco and Pay TV operator. Launch partner for CMGO streaming app through Singtel CAST platform. Also distributes multiple CTE channels including CM+, Celestial Movies, CCM on Singtel TV.
• StarHubcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 15 August 2024Major Singapore telecom operator. Launch partner for CMGO streaming app through StarHub TV+ platform, expanding CTE's direct-to-consumer presence in Singapore.
• myTV SUPER (TVB)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 April 2024OTT platform of Television Broadcasts Limited, Hong Kong's largest TV broadcasting company. First carriage deal globally for PopC Chinese online movie channel launching May 2024.
• unifi TV (Telekom Malaysia)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 17 September 2021Content platform operated by Telekom Malaysia. Expanded distribution of Celestial Movies and CCM channels in Malaysia through unifi TV's Ruby Plus Pack and Ultimate Pack.
• Cable Thai Holding (CTH)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 25 January 2013Thailand's cable TV association with 3.5 million households. Launched KIX, Thrill, and Celestial Classic Movies on CTH platform in February 2013.
• PT MNC Sky Vision (Indonesia)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 June 2012Indonesia's largest DTH operator. Carries CCM channel on Indovision and Okevision branded services. Already carries CM, KIX and Thrill channels.
• LionsgatecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 December 2011World's largest independent filmed entertainment studio. Co-founder of CTE and major content provider. CTE serves as exclusive sales agent for Lionsgate content in Southeast Asia and China, and represents Lionsgate TV and film library in Japan and Korea.
• Celestial Pictures (Astro)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 December 2011Diversified Asian entertainment company owning the Shaw Brothers Film Library (760+ films) and operating pay TV channels. CTE licenses content from Celestial Pictures for its channels and Celestial Pictures remains content owner while CTE operates channel business.
• Emperor Motion PicturescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor Hong Kong film producer and distributor releasing 10+ films annually. Exclusive output deal for first-run movies on Celestial Movies channel in Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.
• Media Asia DistributioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor Chinese film distributor releasing 5-10 movies annually. Exclusive output deal for Celestial Movies in Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore.
• Distribution Workshop (HK) LimitedcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFilm distributor backed by Bona International Film Group. Exclusive output deal for Celestial Movies covering releases like A Simple Life and Overheard series.
• Mega-Vision Project Workshop Limited (MVP)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHong Kong studio headed by legendary Wong Jing. Exclusive output deal for first-run pay TV, PPV, and VOD rights for all upcoming movies on Celestial Movies in Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.
• Universe Entertainment LimitedcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHong Kong film producer behind blockbusters like Shaolin Soccer. Exclusive output deal for Celestial Movies in Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.
• MediaCorp (Toggle)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSingapore's leading media company. Offers CTE's KIX Thrill Select on-demand service and Celestial Movies On Demand on Toggle OTT platform.
• AstrocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOwner and operator of leading DTH platform in Malaysia. Carries CTE channels including Celestial Movies HD and KIX HD, both ranking #1 in their categories on Astro.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Lionsgate: A JV partner and content provider to CTE, also the studio whose content CTE sells as exclusive agent across SE Asia and Greater China. Not a direct competitor, but closely intertwined as content licensor and corporate parent shaping CTE's library and revenue strategy.

Direct peers

• iQIYI: China's leading online entertainment platform and an existing CTE content partner (provides titles for PopC on myTV SUPER). Directly comparable as a Chinese-language content distributor already competing for Chinese-movie streaming demand in SE Asia.
• tvN Asia (CJ ENM): Distributes Korean entertainment content via pay TV channels across SE Asia including on Singtel and StarHub. Comparable to CTE as a regional entertainment channel operator competing for the same Asian-content viewing hours on shared platforms.
• HBO Asia (Warner Bros. Discovery): Operates HBO-branded and Warner TV channels across SE Asia on platforms like Astro and Singtel, targeting premium entertainment audiences. Directly comparable as a pan-Asian premium pay TV channel operator with subscription and licensing revenue.
• Fox International Channels (now Disney Star): Operated Fox/Star-branded channels across Asia including Star Chinese Channel, FX, and Fox Crime — directly competitive in the Chinese-language and entertainment pay TV space with CTE's Celestial Movies, cHK, and Thrill channels.
• Viu (PCCW media group): Hong Kong-headquartered OTT streaming service from PCCW focused on Asian (Korean, Chinese, Japanese) content across SE Asia. Closest D2C streaming comparable to CTE's CMGO given shared Asian-language content strategy and SE Asia footprint.
• Sony Pictures Television (Asia) – AXN / Animax / ONE: Operates a portfolio of pan-regional cable channels across Asia including AXN, Animax, and ONE, distributed through the same telco/pay TV operators as CTE's channels (Singtel, StarHub, Astro). Directly comparable in channel mix, distribution model, and genre specialization (action/entertainment).

Regional players

• TVB (Television Broadcasts Limited): Hong Kong's dominant broadcaster and operator of myTV SUPER, CTE's launch partner for the PopC channel. Comparable in Chinese-language content production and Hong Kong distribution focus, though more regionally concentrated than CTE's pan-Asian footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Astro Malaysia Holdings: SE Asia's largest pay TV operator and parent of Celestial Pictures, which is a JV partner in CTE. Comparable as both the largest distribution platform for CTE channels in Malaysia and a broader media operator with proprietary channels competing for the same content budgets.
• Discovery Asia: Operates Discovery-branded pay TV channels across Asia including Discovery Channel and TLC. Comparable in distribution model (carriage across Astro, Singtel, StarHub) and genre-specialized pay TV channel strategy similar to CTE's KIX and Thrill.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/celestial-tiger-entertainment-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Celestial Tiger Entertainment