If there’s one big content question for StarWorld right now it’s this: Who’s going to produce season four of Asia’s Next Top Model? That there will be a season four is a point raised only by the most cynical.

Although Fox International Channels (FIC) hasn’t gone public with confirmation of the next season yet, there’s little reason to think it won’t ride the brand at least one more time and possibly again after that. Particularly since it did so well, according to ratings provided by FIC.

FIC reports “unprecedented ratings” for season three and says the series earned significant season-on-season growth, and put the network up 2,577% on the timeslot’s three-month average among the target demo.

Sun Young Moon, FIC’s vice president – programming and channel head ofNational Geographic Channel Asia, StarWorld Asia and Channel V International, says a key focus “is to raise the regional standard of production to the international level”.

If FIC picks Asia’s Next Top Model season three producer – Beach House Productions – it will have broken a habit set when it hopped from Ice House, to active TV, to Beach House for the first three editions.

Major production houses are believed to be eager to step in for season four, although there are some who believe StarWorld may not want to discard yet another set of learnings on season three by going with yet another production house and starting from scratch. No decision had been announced by press time.

StarWorld, meanwhile, is sticking to its guns on early releases, and first and exclusive Hollywood content. Recent/upcoming flagship titles are MasterChef U.S. season six, which premiered in Asia on 21 May (20 May in the U.S.); Scandal season five, which premieres in Asia on 25 September (U.S. premiere on 24 September); and Empire season two, which premieres in Asia on 24 September (23 September in the U.S.).

“Our strategy and prime focus is to acquire more ‘same day as the U.S’ titles and live special events to bring exclusive content to audiences in Asia as quickly as possible,” she says. Current same-day titles include Glee season six, Scandal season four, Revenge season four, Devious Maids season three, MasterChef U.S Junior and MasterChef U.S.

StarWorld also plans to expand its SVOD platform to more markets in Asia. “Our goal is to ensure that the experience of our viewers is convenient and accessible,” she adds.

About 26% (5.6 hours) of the channel’s 7pm-10pm slots for the week of 20-26 July are reality/competition series, including MasterChef U.S. season six on Thursdays at 6.55pm (repeats Thursdays 8.45pm, Fridays 7.50pm, Saturdays 9.40pm. Sundays 8.45pm) and season 21 of supermodel competition series America’s Next Top Model (Sundays, 7.50pm).

Comedy drama series, which filled about 23% (five hours) of the weekly prime-time 7pm-10pm line up in July include two back-to-back episodes of Cougar Town season six (from 6 July), airing at 6.55pm on Mondays (repeat at 9.40pm Mondays); two back-to-back episodes of Suburgatory season two, about single father George Altman and his 16-year-old daughter Tessa, at 8.45pm on Mondays (repeats stripped at 11.30pm Mondays to Fridays from 21 July, replacing drama series Revenge season four); and Devious Maids season three at 6.55pm on Tuesdays (repeats at 8.45pm on Tuesdays and 9.40pm on Fridays).

The same weekly prime-time July offering also includes 23% (five hours) character-led reality show Amsale Girls (Wednesdays, 6.55pm with repeats at 8.45pm Wednesdays and Fridays, 7.50pm Saturdays and 6.55pm Sundays). Amsale Girls follows bridal gown fashion designer Amsale Aberra.

During the week of 22-28 June, competition series, comedy drama and character-led reality programming also dominated StarWorld’s prime-time schedule, with reality/competition series (earlier episodes of Masterchef U.S. season six and Asia’s Next Top Model season three) occupying 30%/6.5 hours, comedy drama (New Girl season four, Grey’s Anatomy season 11 and earlier episodes of Suburgatory season two and Devious Maids season three) with 26%/5.6 hours and character-led reality series (Amsale Girls and Candidly Nicole) with 23%/five hours from 7pm to 10pm.