MUMBAI: Hong Kong quadruple-play pay-TV provider now TV and Huace Film & TV, a media company in the Mainland China, have entered into an agreement to co-produce TV drama ?Empress Wei Zifu?.

This collaboration signifies now TV?s first move into the TV drama market.

?Empress Wei Zifu? is a historical drama about the life of the titular empress who lived in the Han Dynasty. The filming of the drama will begin in May.

PCCW GM of production Lau Gar-ho and Assistant GM of production Mui Siu ching will be the producers. Huace Film & TV will be responsible for distribution in the Mainland, and it will collaborate with now TV on overseas distribution.

PCCW MD of TV and new media Janice Lee said, "The collaboration with Huace Film & TV represents another major milestone for now TV. Huace Film and TV is a leading media company in the Mainland with a comprehensive distribution network. We both are committed to providing high-quality TV dramas to viewers in Hong Kong, mainland China and overseas. As now TV celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, and with more than 1.4 million downloads of our apps and recent overseas content distribution agreements, we will continue to work closely with Huace Film & TV to offer the best TV entertainment."

PCCW executive VP, GM of production Ho Lai-chuen said, "High-quality TV dramas are always in high demand. Lau Gar-ho and Mui Siu-ching, both veteran producers, have produced scores of well received TV drama series with high ratings in Hong Kong and the Mainland. They will lead our production team to satisfy the demand for top TV dramas of viewers in mainland China, Hong Kong and overseas."

Huace Film and TV GM Zhao Yifang said, "We are excited to collaborate with now TV to bring the best content to viewers in Hong Kong and mainland China. We want to take this opportunity to introduce Huace Film and TV to Hong Kong and overseas audience, laying the foundation for our future business growth."