Asian Pop culture multicast network Mnet America has promoted Sang H. Cho from chief operating officer to president and CEO of the youth entertainment brand for all things Asian cool. In this role, Mr. Cho will be responsible for all aspects of Mnet America, including the first and leading national, 24/7 English-language television network in the U.S. for fans of Asian entertainment and pop culture, along with its digital and social media channels and events business.
“Sang has been an integral part of the Mnet America leadership team since its 2010 launch, overseeing its operations and helping it grow into one of the most influential U.S. media brands targeting Millennials as well as Asian Americans,” said Mark Shaw, president and CEO of Mnet America parent company CJ E&M America. “We anticipate him developing new strategies that will help expand Mnet’s reach while furthering opportunities for additional growth.”
Mr. Cho replaces acting president and CEO Ted Kim, who remains with Mnet America and CJ E&M in an advisory role.
“It has been an incredibly satisfying experience working with Ted,” said Mr. Cho. “He was a key force in elevating this very unique television network, as our distribution has increased and programming has transformed, and events business – including the highly-successful KCON K-pop fan convention and concert – has taken off. I look forward to working with the team here at Mnet America to as we try to take things to the next level.”
Originally launched in 2004 as ImaginAsian, the 24/7 ad-supported television network was re-launched and re-named in 2010 after a controlling interest was purchased by CJ E&M, Asia’s leading entertainment company and part of the CJ Group, which recently celebrated its 60th anniversary. Since 2010, Mnet America’s distribution has quadrupled, and today spans over 35 markets across the U.S. including the top 10 Asian American DMAs and nine of the top 10 markets, through distribution via Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox, Charter, Patriot, FiOS and Brighthouse. The network’s programming is a mix of K-pop music, anime, dramas, movies, award shows and original scripted and non-scripted series.
As the chief operating officer since 2010, Cho was responsible for overseeing the network’s operations, including corporate strategy, new business development, financial management, sales and distribution.
