‘The Simpsons’ Ink Deal With Chinese Online Video Site

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Simpsons china

The Simpsons are going to China! (Again.)

In a historic move announced today, Twentieth Century Fox has struck a multi-year deal with Sohu Video, an incredibly-popular video website based in China, giving them licensing rights in what producer Al Jean calls the show’s “first official China-based home” in its 25-year history.

First revealed by Charles Zhang, chairman and CEO of Sohu.com, and Mark Kaner, president of Fox Television Distribution, the deal includes the Chinese premiere of Season 26, which begins in the states on September 28th.

“Sohu is the pioneer in the industry that offers premium and licensed video programs to our audience in China,” Zhang said. “The introduction of The Simpsons, a household name in the U.S., will further enrich our users’ choice of the best American content when they come to our platform. This deal once again demonstrated our commitment in bringing the best experience to our users and tireless efforts to enhance our competitive edges in the industry.”

Kaner added: “The Simpsons is a unique television property, which has the ability to transcend worldwide cultural boundaries and has the capability to easily translate into any language. We are excited to expand our existing and long-standing partnership with Sohu to allow audiences in China to watch one of the greatest TV shows ever made.”

The show will use Mandarin subtitles in lieu of dubbing.

With his usually poignancy, Al Jean quipped: “Woo hoo! Now we can reveal Springfield is actually in the Guangdong province.”

I, on the other hand, will be eagerly awaiting the reactions of 1.1 billion Chinese folks when Krusty the Clown starts flapping his dickey.

krusty flap

[via The Hollywood Reporter]

About Gonzo Green

@Gonzo_Green is a chronic sufferer of Pre-life Crisis Syndrome. He drinks frequently, and wears hats sometimes, with these events occasionally occurring concurrently. Gonzo also likes watching baseball, and putting ketchup on foods that ketchup has no business being on. He enjoys rock’n’roll from the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s, when rock was rock, and meaningless repetitive phrases were frowned upon. But it is what it is.