Star China Media (SCM), a media and entertainment joint venture between China Media Capital and News Corporation, announced the appointment of Tian Ming as the company’s CEO and Cao Zhigao as its COO.

Tian succeeds Jack Gao, who was Vice President, News Corporation, and has been appointed as Senior Vice President, News Corporation, and CEO, News Corporation China Investments, to focus on developing News Corp’s other investment opportunities in China.

Tian Ming was previously Group Vice President of Shanghai Media Group (SMG), overseeing SMG’s flagship channel, Dragon TV and the group’s variety programming. Tian began his career in media in 1992 as part of the team in launching the Shanghai-based Oriental Television. During his eight-year tenure with Oriental Television, Tian launched well-known investigative news and current affairs programmes and has also received numerous awards in news production and reporting. Tian joined SMG in 2002 and has led and created many hit shows including China’s Got Talent and My Hero.

Cao Zhigao has 25 years of media experience and has served as executives of SearchMedia Holdings and CGEN Digital Media.

“Tian Ming’s media background and his impressive track record of growing television companies cannot come at a better time as SCM is gearing up for significant expansion,” said Li Ruigang, Chairman of SCM.

The team will be overseeing operation of satellite TV channels Xing Kong Wei Shi, Xing Kong International, music channel — Channel [V], and the Fortune Star Chinese film library.

SCM chairman Li Ruigang is also president of Shanghai Media Group and chairman of China Media Capital (CMC). CMC last August acquired a controlling stake in News Corp’s Star China business and established joint venture SCM. As for Shanghai Media Group, the group has invested in Chinese language films since 2009 with Bodyguards and Assassins, and the Pleasant Goat and Big Bad Wolf series.

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