ContentAsia April/APOS 2018

ISSUE TWO 2018

C

NTENT

Drama adaptations: a whole new Asia story

Virginia Lim: what’s next for Sony Networks in Asia

Outdoor Channel The Ultimate Playlist for Real Life Adventure @outdoorchannelasia fb.com/outdoorchannelasia www.outdoorchannelasia.com

Plus: Wattpad in Asia, Malaysia’s new challengers, Thailand’s roving eye

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contents...

what’s in this issue...

6

We have to change. We have to find our differentiator.”

8

Virginia Lim, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia

what’s going on in...

Malaysia is a hotbed of digital activity and potential new competition at the moment • Japan’s Nippon TV welcomes its first-ever Android employee, Erica Aoi. Thailand’s digital terrestrial TV channel Bright TV & JKN Global Media’s major bet on Philippines’ content. • Streaming platforms and their “originals” roll in Asia.

page 17

10 Storytelling/sharing platform Wattpad has a new yarn for Asia,

starring Dexter Ong (formerly 21st Century Fox), debuting in his role as head of Asia at APOS 2018 in Bali at the end of April.

Erica Aoi, Nippon TV

The mobile life

Every streaming platform loves a good telco. And some of the telcos in Asia are loving them right back. Malena Amzah asked streaming/OTT platforms about their new best friends across the region.

Interview: Virginia Lim

12

Asia’s Got Talent 2 winner, Riana

Interview: Cory Vidanes

Sony Pictures Television Networks’ new Asia boss, Virginia Lim, is as tough as the environment she faces and a lot more straight talking. As she settles into a different role, Lim talks about shifting acquisitions habits, original production and other assets in her bag of tricks.

14

Suits me

Korean versions of NBCUniversal’s Suits and BBC’s Mistresses fly the flag for scripted format production in Asia this month. But that’s not the only reason Korea is fluttering in a happy wind these days.

20 contentasia issue two, april 2018

Action tops Philippines’ drama trends, family and romance are perennials, and fantasy is gaining ground. And then, of course, there’s Pilipinas Got Talent, now in its sixth season. Two years into her job as broadcast COO, ABSCBN’s Cory Vidanes talks about what’s driving the network forward.

Cory Vidanes, COO, ABS-CBN

Formats update: Q1 2018

18

Suits Korea

Although early indications were that format expansion this year had fallen behind 2017, final figures show a 4% increase to 216 for the first quarter from last year’s 208. Here’s the list of who’s on top of Asia’s formats charts for Q1 2018.

30

3

editor’snote

Copy watch OMG, talk about all hell breaking loose. Not that it wasn’t always loose,

The Rap of China, which the Korean company said was a copy of its pro-

but the moaning and bitching over format copying hasn’t been this pub-

gramme, Show Me the Money. Then Idol 101. And BOOM! Hwang had

lic since Star China went off and did Sing! China, leaving Talpa to its new

had enough.

partners on the return of the official version of The Voice of China. This

This might be seen as one more spat in a lifetime of battles all over the

sparked off a vitriolic legal tussle that ran for years and, some believe, led

world over who thought of what first and which idea belongs to whom.

directly to China’s blanket ban on foreign format acquisitions.

But it also comes at a time when China is pushing a big-time global agen-

The flashpoint this time revolves around iQiyi’s hit Chinese show, Idol 101, which Korea’s CJ E&M says is an almost identical copy of Produce 101. CJ E&M used a system developed by global formats rights protection agen-

da, reaching out to the international community in a charm offensive that runs from drama to factual to formats and everything in between.

The public shaming at the MIP Formats event in Cannes came the morn-

cy, Frapa, to pinpoint copied elements, emerging with a score of above

ing after China presented its new slate of home-grown for-

80% and “officially” tagging Idol 101 as an unauthorised copy.

mats to the global community in a shiny showcase

iQiyi, fresh from its Nasdaq listing, is having none of that, denying all

attended by, among others, officials from uber reg-

allegations of copyright infringement and, far from accepting Frapa’s

ulator, the State Administration of Radio and Tele-

methodology or judgement, says that if there’s a problem, “we will solve

vision. Nine domestic content creators flexed their

it with legal measures”. In other words, if you think we’re afraid of you, you

creative and cultural muscle under the banner of

couldn’t be more wrong.

“Wisdom in China – The Land of New Formats”. The

The guy who took the gloves off during MIP TV/MIP Formats was Hwang

tagline included “time to start to create a future

Jin Woo, CJ E&M’s Seoul-based general manager and head of formats

all together”. Bold pitches to the international

and development. Hwang, along with every other Korean producer, saw

community ran from The Nation’s Greatest

the bottom fall out of his world in 2016 when China closed its borders to

Treasures (celebs paired with national trea-

all things Korean. The official reason was retaliation for Korea’s adoption

sures, viewers vote) to Kung Fu Kids (reality,

of the U.S. THAAD missile defence system. Privately, many suspect that

24 7-13 year olds are trained by masters and

Korean content was just way too popular in China and politics provided

compete for the ultimate title).

convenient cover for shutting it all down. Hwang, along with every other

The formats fracas also coincided with

Korean producer, was forced to find alternatives, Which they are, like it or

the first-ever China International Drama Ex-

not, still busy doing.

change Forum in Cannes. The idea was to

Foreign producers say the ban may have emboldened some Chinese platforms, which, unable to acquire, went ahead to copy. “There’s no

showcase modern Chinese drama to international buyers.

pain for copying,” said one international rights holder, describing the situ-

For those struggling with China bans

ation as “shameless” and “out of control”. And “good luck suing”. At the

and restrictions, and others who feel they

same time, they are eager to point out that not all Chinese producers

have had their IP ripped off, the irony was

should be tarred with the same brush.

not lost.

For CJ E&M, any effort at a stoic approach was short-lived. First came

Editorial Director Janine Stein Assistant Editor Malena Amzah malena@contentasia.tv Research & Production CJ Yong cj@contentasia.tv Editorial Aqilah Yunus aqilah@contentasia.tv Design Rae Yong

INTERNATIONAL Associate Publisher (Americas, Europe) and VP, International Business Development Leah Gordon leah@contentasia.tv

What is ContentAsia?

ASIA Sales and Marketing Manager Masliana Masron mas@contentasia.tv

To receive your regular free copy of ContentAsia, please email i_want@contentasia.tv

ContentAsia is an Asia-based information resource that refines today’s info-deluge into usable, digestible, and reliable intelligence about entertainment content creation, funding, financing, licensing, distribution, design and branding and technology across the Asia-Pacific region. ContentAsia’s range of products include electronic, print and online publications.

Copyright 2018 Pencil Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved Printed by: Print Dynamics (S) Pte Ltd 123 Genting Lane, #02-01, Singapore 349574

Published by: Pencil Media Pte Ltd l 730A Geylang Road, Singapore 389641 l T: +65 6846 5987 l W: www.contentasia.tv

4

contentasia issue two, april 2018

Fear the walking dead New episodes Mondays Within mintues of U.S. Telecast 08:00 BKK / JKT 0900HK Same day prime time encore 21:00 BKK / JKT 22:00 HK AMC www.amctvasia.com @amctvasia

一䔀圀 䔀倀䤀匀伀䐀䔀匀 簀 䴀伀一䐀䄀夀匀

圀䤀吀䠀䤀一 䴀䤀一唀吀䔀匀 伀䘀 唀⸀匀⸀ 吀䔀䰀䔀䌀䄀匀吀 㠀㨀 匀䄀䴀䔀 䐀䄀夀 倀刀䤀䴀䔀 吀䤀䴀䔀 䔀一䌀伀刀䔀 ㈀㄀㨀

眀眀眀⸀愀洀挀琀瘀愀猀椀愀⸀挀漀洀

䈀䬀䬀 ⼀ 䨀䬀吀 簀 㤀㨀 䈀䬀䬀 ⼀ 䨀䬀吀 簀 ㈀㈀㨀

䠀䬀 䠀䬀

䀀愀洀挀琀瘀愀猀椀愀

what’sgoingonin...

japan

malaysia Malaysia is a hotbed of digital activ-

content network by initiating co-pro-

ity at the moment, not least because

duction content along the region,”

there’s high interest in what Telekom

says MBits Digital founder/MVTV Asia

Malaysia is going to do with its video

CEO, Sara Nattaya Azmi.

platform now than long-time platform

MBits unveiled its plans less than a

head, Jeremy Kung, has gone; where

year after it announced a MoU with

Maxis’ future lies in relation to Astro in

China’s PowerChina and Longvision

Ananda Krishnan’s media empire; and

Media as strategic partners. The total

how Indonesian plans to woo Malay-

investment touted at the time was

sian consumers might play out.

RM6.95 billion/US$1.6 billion, and the

There are also the new players – MVTV from MBits Digital and Longvision’s Longtv – fresh out of the gate

vision laid out included cloud services and smart township developments.

Having exited that partnership,

Japan’s Nippon TV welcomed its first-ever Android

with no legacy infrastructure and a

Longvision is going it alone on Malay-

employee in April. The multi-lingual Erica Aoi debuted as

catalogue of sound-good concepts

sia’s media front (or rather, with a slew

anchor on the daily show PON!, and will be followed this

and promises.

of new MoU partners).

spring by an appearance as an assistant in the Sensors

MBits Digital has unveiled a new

Longvision’s plans are for an afford-

segment of digital trends programme Chill TV. She is also

broadcast platform, MVTV Asia, that

able family-friendly service, Longtv,

scheduled to deliver English-language news. “People

promises 60% local Malaysian content

which will be up and running by mid-

are asking if artificial intelligence (AI) will take away the

across multiple genres, a “Digital One

2018. The target is 300,000 subscribers

jobs of humans... We believe that when our employees’

Belt One Road” initiative with streaming

by year end. The Longtv proposition

creative outputs synergise with technologies, innovations

platforms across the region, tech inno-

is a plug-and-play Android box and a

in content creation come to life. We are not aiming for

vation and fund-raising opportunities.

mobile app.

alternatives to humans, but for enhancements in cre-

The cross-device video platform rolls

Meanwhile, emerging markets

ativity that are the result of androids working together

out from June 2018, beginning with a

streaming platform, iflix, is venturing

with people,” says Hiroyuki Fukuda, Nippon TV operating

mobile app and followed by a set-top

into branded content for the first time,

officer and programming division

box in September. The app will carry

hiring Craig Galvin to drive the short-

president. Aoi was created

a mix of free and subscription-based

form initiative under the Studio2:15

in a project between

entertainment, and the set-top box

shingle. iflix chief content officer,

Osaka University, Kyoto

will be free with a lock-in subscription

Sean Carey, called Studio2:15 “a

University, and the Ad-

period. Pricing has not been disclosed.

monumental step” in expanding iflix’s

vanced Telecommu-

In addition to movies, TV series and

footprint into “highly engaging and

nications Research In-

variety, MVTV Asia will include local

stitute International’s

original content creation campaigns,

Incumbents have no intention of

Japan Science and

including “Inspirasi YES Malaysia” (en-

sitting around scratching themselves

Technology Agency

tertainment stars tell their stories) and

waiting for the competition to fly...

Strategic Basic Re-

“Memori KampungKU” (user gener-

or fail. Former pay-TV monopoly and

search Programs.

ated content about hometowns).

premium entertainment provider,

Acquired content is from Indonesia,

Astro, is polishing up its tech and

Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Details

sharpening its content, all with the

have not been disclosed.

aim of turning its in-home dominance

Streaming partners in the “mutual

into a second-to-none experience.

content distribution” initiative so far are

At the same time, Media Prima’s

ZTE, China Mobile’s MIGU, CCTV’s Fu-

tonton is in high-gear, rolling out on

ture TV, and Shanghai Media Group’s

smart TVs from Samsung, LG and

BesTV. MVTV Asia is also building a pro-

Panasonic, making the brand avail-

gramatic online advertising system with

able on Chromecast, and putting the

Fractalist and Adinall from China.

finishing touches to some sparkly new

MBits Digital says it is determined to “bring local content to the world... We are forging a United Asian

6

viral short-form content”.

moves that will be unveiled later this year. Clearly the action will be long running.

contentasia issue two, april 2018

It’s not just about being neutral – it’s about being truthful Brent GOFF DW News and The Day Dw.com

DW Made for minds.

It’s not just about being neutral – it’s about being truthful.

BRENT GOFF DW News and The Day dw.com

Deutsche Welle | Ms. Mee Fung Lee | T +60 (3) 2093-0866 | meefung.lee@pikfilm.com.my

dw.com

what’sgoingonin...

originals

Streaming platforms are on an original roll in Asia, partly because some have cottoned onto Netflix’s habit of calling acquisitions “originals” but also because many are truly deeply commissioning and crafting their own programmes.

Titles announced in the past month include a few firsts, taking the industry into new creative spaces and experimenting with form and formats. In a newfound spirit of collaboration, Singapore’s Mediacorp and Hong Kong’s HK Television Entertainment unveiled their first co-production, “Bluetick”, a 20-part half-hour drama, scheduled to stream in September across Mediacorp platform, Toggle, and HK Television Entertainment’s ViuTV. The show, currently filming in Hong Kong, Singapore and mainland China, is based on Hong Kong writer Ray Leung’s novel about 10 strangers who attend the funeral of a common friend. Murder and mystery follow. The cast includes Hong Kong’s Wong You Nam and Liu Kai Chi, and Singapore’s Desmond Tan and Ya Hui. In Malaysia, Media Prima’s streaming platform, tonton, premieres two original movies this year. The Ming Ting’s “I Remember” drops in May and YouTuber Jinny Boy’s second original for tonton is scheduled for release in November 2018. Viu India, meanwhile, is going great guns, with, among other shows, original romcom, “Love, Lust and Confusion”, a 13-episode weekly show about a young girl in an age of indecisiveness, physical exploration and confusion; the title debuted on 17 March. Viu India’s big April moment is theatrical feature film “High Jack”, a co-production with Bollywood’s Phantom Film. The India originals are driven by country head, Vishal Maheshwari, who, among other projects, greenlit the first Indian version of CBS format “Hollywood Squares” for the streaming platform.

thailand

Thailand’s digital terrestrial TV (DTT) channel, Bright TV, has taken a major bet on Philippines’ content, scooping up more than 1,000 hours of drama from the Philippines’ two leading producers to drive prime-time daily schedules.

It’s the happy part of a broad DTT landscape that has been plagued by financial woes, accusations of broken regulatory promises, and legal action in a bid to force a situation some licence holders say will make life as one of 24 commercial operators a whole lot easier.

Which may be true (for some), but Bangkok-based listed Thai broadcast/distribution company, JKN Global Media, isn’t hanging around carry placards and marching for relief for DTT partner, Bright TV. Instead, JKN’s high-stepping chief executive, Anne Jakrajutatip, is on a roll, talking about being part of media transformation and innovation in Thailand as well as globally, revelling in the opportunities opened up with the company’s IPO at the end of last year, celebrating the company’s eighth birthday on 14 March, and shepherding its own cable/satellite channel, JKN Dramax, through its switch from an Asian entertainment agenda to a fully Indian slate from 1 April 2018.

With programming supplied by JKN, the three-year-old Bright TV kicked off its Philippines’ initiative in March with romance Carmela (2014) stripped across early evenings and 2014 family drama The Legal Wife in prime time. The slot targeting young people and housewives runs from 5pm-6pm on Mondays to Fridays (with reruns Mondays to Thursdays at 11.30pm-12.30am and Fridays at 11pm12am). The second slot runs from 9.30pm-10.30pm on Mondays to Fridays and offers an alternative to the Thai drama running on other channels.

The Pinoy slate is driven by the 1,000+ hours/40+ titles output deal signed between JKN and Philippines’ two prime producers, GMA Worldwide and ABS-CBN, for Bright TV. Titles include Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real (The Other Mrs. Real) from ABS-CBN, Bridges of Love (ABS-CBN), My Faithful Husband (GMA) and Beautiful Strangers (GMA). Philippines series were chosen because “besides having similar facial features, the content of the series resonates with Thai family and culture,” Jakrajutatip says.

The Philippines’ foray follows its success with drama series from India, Korea, Japan and Hollywood as part of a mixed-genre schedule that also includes news and talk shows. In addition to the two Philippines’ series, Bright TV also strips long-running Indian series Lord Shiva (aka Devon Ke Dev Mahadev) from 8pm to 9.30pm on Mondays to Fridays.

Is JKN’s bet on growing cross-border tastes paying off?

An increase in profits of more than 14% to THB187.67 million/US$6 million certainly seems to say so.

JKN’s chief executive, Anne Jakrajutatip

8

contentasia issue two, april 2018

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what’sgoingonin...

storytelling

Storytelling/sharing platform Wattpad has a new yarn for Asia, starring Dexter Ong (formerly 21st Century Fox), debuting in his role as head of Asia during the Asia Pacific Video Operator’s Summit (APOS) in Bali at the end of April.

The turbocharged plot for Asia builds on an already Cupid’s Match

strong base in the Philippines, growinvest further...

is in the analysis. “We have the

first digital project of 2018 was

and to bring the

ing penetration in

data but where we really shine

based on writer Lauren Palphrey-

stories to differ-

is working with partners to make

man’s Cupid’s Match, about a

ent platforms,” says

sure we can analyse it the right

student thrown into a mythical

way,” Levitz says, adding that the

conflict when a matchmak-

Indonesia and the rest of Southeast Asia, as well as on a billion data points a day able to

Dexter Ong

Aron Levitz, Wattpad’s

give shape and direction to new

head of studios, the unit charged

best people to ask “the machine

ing service pairs her with Cupid

relationships between story tell-

with giving life to Wattpad stories

questions are our partners”.

himself. The story has 39.9 million

ers, broadcasters, marketers and

across other platforms, including

online platforms.

film, TV and publishing.

Among the success stories so

reads and 1.9 million votes on

far is the long-running partnership

Wattpad, which partnered with

with free TV channel TV5 in the

CW Seed and crowd-sourced

of an expansion plan fuelled

Studios job, Levitz says Wattpad

Philippines, which has created

video production platform,

by US$51-million in new fund-

is seeing global trends being

250+ episodes from 76 Wattpad

Tongal, to create trailers. Fans

ing closed in January this year.

translated for Asia in, for instance,

stories across six seasons. In North

voted on the trailers, and the

China’s Tencent Holdings led the

the rise of Muslim romance stories

round, which valued the com-

across the region.

Ong’s appointment is part

Two years after taking the

America, Watt-

starring Robert Palmer Watkins

Universal Cable

(General Hospital), premiered on

Productions,

CW Seed on Valentine’s Day.

pany at about US$400 million.

“We see trends globally and

Investors included Philippines-

then see how each region, how

based Globe Telecom subsidiary

each country, is taking the trend

eOne and

Kickstart Ventures, Hong Kong-

and making it their own... We really

HarperCollins,

based Peterson Group and exist-

won’t ever say that one trend is

ing investor Raine Ventures.

everywhere,” he says.

Globally, Wattpad has a month-

Levitz sees Wattpad’s strength

KR Squared Productions’ pilot,

pad works with

among others.

The Studios’

Whatever the success stories, Levitz says Wattpad has no blueprint for a perfect partnership.

At a moment when the entertainment industry is in a state of

ly audience of 65 billion (and a

in opening up new kinds of

disruption and change, the aim

presence in every country in the

stories and story telling,

is to create new kinds of partner-

world) using 50+ languages and

with a built-in audience,

ships, Levitz says, adding: “It’s

spending 15 billion minutes on the

to broadcast TV, film and

less about the specific business

platform every month. The aver-

digital platforms.

structures, and more about a

age session time is 30 minutes. 90% of its audience is Gen Z/millennial.

“We have stories that are resonating and now it’s time for us to

“We have this massive

mindset.”

machine, we collect a billion points of data every day,” he says. The magic

10 Aron Levitz

contentasia issue two, april 2018

No. 1 in Social Media Engagement The Hollywood Reporter A Step Forward in Giving Boost To Digital Entertainemnt The Times of India TV Has Set the format world alight TBI Rising Star One of the most successful Singing Competittion Formats In the world Catalogue: www.keshetinternational.com Contact Us: info@keshetinternational.com @Keshetintl Keshetinternational Keshetinternational Colors

telcostreaming

The mobile life

Every streaming platform loves a good telco. And some of the telcos in Asia are loving them right back. Malena Amzah asked streamers about their new best friends across the region.

Country

Mobile broadband service providers

OTT/streaming includes...

Brunei

•

DST

iflix

Cambodia

•

Smart Axiata

iflix, Vuclip

•

3 Hong Kong (Hutchison Telecommunications)

hmvod, myTV Super, Planet3

•

China Mobile

UTV (in-house)

Hong Kong

India

Indonesia

•

China Unicom

hmvod

•

HKT/CSL (PCCW)

HBO GO, hmvod, Netflix, Now Player (in-house), Viu ATV (Asia Television), myTV Super

•

Hong Kong Broadband Network

•

Atria Convergence Technologies

ALTBalaji, Fastfilmz, HOOQ, YuppTV

•

Bharti-Airtel

Airtel TV (in-house), Amazon Prime, ErosNow, HOOQ, Hotstar, SonyLIV

•

BSNL

ErosNow

•

Idea Cellular

Direct to Mobile (d2m), ErosNow, Idea TV (in-house)

•

Reliance Jio

ErosNow, Jio TV/Jio Cinema (in-house)

•

Vodafone

ErosNow, HOOQ

•

3 (Hutchison 3G Indonesia)

Genflix, HOOQ, Klikfilm, Viu

•

Bolt

HOOQ

•

First Media

Catchplay on Demand, FirstMediaX (in-house), HOOQ

•

Indosat Ooredoo

HOOQ, iflix, Genflix, Mox, Sushiroll

•

Smartfren Telecom

Dens.TV, Genflix, HOOQ

Telkom Indonesia

Catchplay on Demand, iflix, HOOQ (Telkomsel, subsidiary of Telkom Indonesia), OONA, UseeTV (inhouse), Viu HOOQ, Tribe

•

Korea

•

XL Axiata

•

KT Corporation

Olleh TV Mobile (in-house)

•

SK Telecom

Oksusu (in-house)

•

Celcom

Astro Go, Dailymotion, dimsum, HeroTalkies, iflix, Mox, Netflix, tonton

•

Digi

Astro Go, dimsum, iflix, tonton, unifi playTV, Viu

•

Maxis

dimsum, ErosNow, HeroTalkies, Hopster, iflix, Lebara Play, Mavshack, Netflix, tonton, Viu

•

Telekom Malaysia (unifi)

unifi playTV (in-house), iflix, Viu

•

UMobile

Astro Go, Crunchyroll, Dailymotion, dimsum, ErosNow, HeroTalkies, iflix, Lingcod TV, Mox, tonton, unifi playTV, Viki, Viu, Youku Tudou, YuppTV

Myanmar

•

Ooredoo Myanmar

iflix, Vuclip

Nepal

•

Ncell

iflix

•

PTCL

iflix, Netflix, PTCL Smart TV (in-house)

•

Telenor

iflix iflix; Spellflix; in-house: Zong Cinema, Zong Mobile TV, Zong Mobile Theatre

Malaysia

Pakistan

Philippines

Singapore Sri Lanka Taiwan

Thailand

Vietnam

•

Zong

•

Globe Telecom

HOOQ, Netflix, Tribe

•

PLDT

FOX+, iflix, iWant TV, Netflix

•

Smart

FOX+, iflix, iWant TV, Smart360 (in-house)

•

Singtel

FOX+ (Cast), HOOQ (via Cast), Netflix, Singtel TV Go (in-house), tonton (via Cast), Tribe (via Cast), Viu (via Cast)

•

StarHub

Catchplay on Demand, FOX+, HBO Go, StarHub Go (in-house)

•

Dialog

Dialog TV Go (in-house), Dialog Vinode (in-house), iflix, SusilaTV

•

Chunghwa Telecom

Chunghwa MOD (in-house), FOX+

•

FarEasTone

Catchplay on Demand, Mobile TV (in-house) MyVideo (in-house)

•

Taiwan Mobile

•

AIS

AIS Live TV/Play (in-house), DOONEE, HOOQ, MonoMaxxx, Netflix, Viu

•

CAT Telecom

DOONEE

•

dtac

DOONEE, iflix, Line TV, MonoMaxxx

•

TOT

DOONEE, TOTipTV (in-house) DOONEE, iflix, Line TV, MonoMaxxx, TrueID (in-house)

•

TrueMove

•

MobiFone

iflix

•

Vietnamobile

YourTV

•

Viettel

iflix

•

VinaPhone

Vinaphone Mobile TV (in-house) Sources: Streaming platforms/apps, ContentAsia Streaming Guide 2017, ContentAsia’s The Big List directory 2018

12

contentasia issue two, april 2018

Nagra Kudelski Thriving in the ott era Changing consumer behaviour, increased OTT competition, and content piracy are leading to new challenges and new opportunities for the pay-TV industry.

Discover how we’re helping pay-TV service providers and content rights owners rethink their business models to adapt to the new OTT era through innovation with the end-goal of connection people to the content they love.

With cutting-edge solutions like the always evolved OpenTV Signature Edition, technologies that supprot the t ransition to IP and new OTT services, Al-driven analytics, and the latest in content value protection, empompassing CAS/DRM, anti-piracy services, and forensic watermarking, we can help you thrieve in the OTT era.

Visit us at APOS, Suites 1315 & 1319

THRIVING IN THE OTT ERA Connecting People to the content they love DTV.Nagra.com

Changing consumer behaviour, increased OTT competition, and content piracy are leading to new challenges and new opportunities for the pay-TV industry.

D es i gn: d ia b olo .com

Discover how we’re helping pay-TV service providers and content rights owners rethink their business models to adapt to the new OTT era through innovation with the end-goal of connecting people to the content they love.

With cutting-edge solutions like the always evolved OpenTV Signature Edition, technologies that support the transition to IP and new OTT services, AI-driven analytics, and the latest in content value protection, encompassing CAS/DRM, antipiracy services, and forensic watermarking, we can help you thrive in the OTT era.

Visit us at APOS, Suites 1315 & 1319.

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Bags of tricks Cosentino

Sony Pictures Television Networks’ new Asia boss, Virginia Lim, is as tough as the environment she faces and a lot more straight talking. As she settles into a different role, Lim talks about shifting acquisitions habits, original production and other assets in her bag of tricks.

Sony Pictures Television Networks’ new Asia boss, Virginia Lim, along

now available in seven Southeast Asian markets. Among other firsts,

with everyone else in the space, faces the toughest subscription video

GEM was the first regional entertainment channel to offer day-and-

environment anyone can remember in Asia. No-growth is, at best, the

date Japanese series outside of Japan.

new normal in the linear pay-TV environment. Affiliate revenue is flat

Newly appointed as senior vice president and general manager for

at best, and if there are any increases, they come with a big basket

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks Asia, Lim has already made her

of new asks. Regional advertising budgets are ghosts of their former

mark for pushing a high-impact originals slate at a time where rivals have

selves – and they were never that brilliant to begin with. “Digital” is less

walked back spend and are tiptoeing forward.

shiny than the original hope. In Singapore’s domestic ‘Singlish’ dialect, the question now is, “So how?”

Last year, she green lit season two of FremantleMedia talent show Asia’s Got Talent; season three is in pre-production (no details yet).

Lim’s bag of tricks right now includes top English-language general

The year before belonged to The Amazing Race Asia season five,

entertainment channel, the 20-year-old AXN, along with the region’s

which was the second show on the channel for the year behind CBS’

top Asian channel, Korean service ONE. ONE was the number-one Ko-

reboot of MacGyver. New seasons of both original series are being

rean channel in Southeast Asia in 2017 with a 54% share of the Korean

considered.

channels in Malaysia and a 39% share in Singapore*.

Lim is also steering Sony’s acquisitions into a new direction, still an-

There’s also English-language female-focused Sony Channel, and

choring the English-language entertainment schedule in first-run titles

GEM, a joint-venture Asian channel with Japan’s Nippon Television

such as MacGyver 2, Quantico 3 and The Blacklist 5, but also allocating a larger portion of her programming budget to high-impact shows

*Source: Kantar Malaysia Astro DTAM. IMDA Singapore SG-TAM. Pay TV 4+ full day ratings share, consolidated activities

14

with a live component.

So far, SPT Nets has picked up rights left on the table after RTL and

contentasia issue two, april 2018

Studio+ Thema A canal+ group company Stingray Gulli Insight UHD Eurocinema World

Meet us at APOS BALI, APRIL 24-26 2018 Alexandre Bac: alexandre@thematv.com Arnaud Verlhac: arnaud@thematv.com www.thematv.com

MEET US AT APOS BALI, APRIL 24-26 2018 Alexandre Bac : alexandre@thematv.com • Arnaud Verlhac : arnaud@thematv.com

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We have to change.

We have to find our differentiator.”

Virginia Lim

16

contentasia issue two, april 2018

CBS sold their Asia joint venture, RTL CBS Entertainment Networks, to

directly involved for the first time, operated with some of the same

Blue Ant Media in 2017. Shifting to SPT Networks from this year are Fre-

people but under a completely different structure – and with a lower

mantleMedia’s America’s Got Talent, Britain’s Got Talent and Ameri-

budget.

can Idol. Britain’s Got Talent premieres on AXN this month, followed by

“Season one was good for us as a network all round. Ratings were

America’s Got Talent in May. American Idol airs on Sony Channel on

great and we set a new benchmark for original production in this part

the same day as the U.S.

of the world,” Lim says.

Real originals (as opposed to streaming originals that are high-priced

For season two, “we had to think about how to do it better, with less

acquisitions) include The Elements: Cosentino with Australian illusion-

money, of course. That’s always the big question: how do you make

ist/escapologist/magician, Cosentino. The four-part series, which pre-

it so that it makes financial sense. It’s a really expensive production.”

miered in January 2018, was filmed in Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan. Cosentino’s return to AXN is being discussed.

“We continue to rely on Hollywood content to provide a core programming grid,” Lim says. But, with so much of the same content widely available across other platforms, “we have to change, we have to find our differentiator”.

The second season was always a case of when rather than if. Lots of things have changed, Lim says, but there “was never a moment when we thought that we would not want to bring it back. We were just thinking of bringing it back in a better way”.

There’s also the possibility of rolling out Sony’s U.S.-based Crackle on-demand streaming platform in Asia. This will, if it happens, ex-

“I wouldn’t say we are buying less. What we are trying to do is strike

tend the company’s streaming presence beyond its investment in

a balance between top Hollywood series and original content cre-

the Singtel-led HOOQ joint venture with Warner Bros, and the Animax

ation,” she adds.

on-demand platform in Japan and Korea. Will Sony go for the bank-

“At the same time when we evaluate our content acquisition strat-

breaking effort involved? That’s a question for another day.

egy, we also focus on individual markets, and then you start looking at what actually rates, what viewers really want. Sometimes what the viewers really want may not be that biggest Hollywood series. It varies from market to market.”

Never as urgent as now, the drive towards differentiators has also taken Sony into market-specific originals such as crowd-sourced travel series, Adventure Your Way, for the Philippines.

Lim calls Asia’s Got Talent a “no brainer”, despite all the budget busting that went on for season one. Season two, in which she was

I wouldn’t say we are buying less. What we are trying to do is strike a balance between top Hollywood series and original content creation... when we evaluate our content acquisition strategy, we also focus on individual markets, and then you start looking at what actually rates, what viewers really want. Sometimes what viewers want may not be that biggest Hollywood series.

It varies from market to market.”

Right: Virginia Lim, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia; Far left: Asia’s Got Talent 2 winner, Riana

contentasia issue two, april 2018

17

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The driver’s seat Action tops Philippines’ drama trends, family and romance are perennials, and fantasy is gaining ground. And then, of course, there’s Pilipinas Got Talent, now in its sixth season. Two years into her job as broadcast COO, ABS-CBN’s Cory Vidanes talks about what’s driving the network forward.

Not a lot ABS-CBN has done this year beats the magic it made with long-

But ABS-CBN still produces all the drama for its flagship terrestrial free-

running talent show, Pilipinas Got Talent. Through its run from January

TV services in-house. This year, ABS-CBN will produce more than 900 hours

this year, season six consistently hit ratings in the high 30s, beating back

of content with the usual focus on drama. “We will continue to develop

almost everything else on the channel with the exception of local action

characters that inspire through stories that have strong family and moral

drama FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (aka Brothers). Brothers, which has taken a

values,” Vidanes says.

political twist in the current season, is ABS-CBN’s highest-rated prime-time programme, regularly flying past the 40% ratings mark.

At the same time, acquisitions are way up, driven by the network’s six free-TV DTT channels. 80% of the shows on four of thee channels are

No surprise for ABS-CBN’s chief operating officer of broadcast, Cory

acquired and 20% are reruns of ABS-CBN programmes. DTT channels in-

Vidanes, who has action at the top of her drama trends list, followed by

clude a dedicated movie channel with a mix of local and acquired titles;

family/romantic drama. Fantasy series are gaining popularity, a trend be-

a sports/action channel that includes national collegiate and interna-

ing tapped by the network’s most ambitious fantasy series yet – Bagani,

tional leagues as well as Philippines football, boxing and NBA; and the

the story of five mythical heroes who fight for their communities’ survival.

Knowledge Channel, based on the domestic curriculum.

ABS-CBN’s other two new shows this year are action drama Asintado and romance The Blood Sisters.

It is, perhaps, YouTube that has created the most significant shift. ABSCBN has more than 15 million YouTube subscribers, and has created a

The Philippines’ domestic drama prowess is driving a robust licensing

dedicated team to optimise content daily. Content is delivered natively

business around the world, most recently supported by on-demand plat-

to YouTube and each experience is linked to the larger digital strategy sup-

forms. Total sales so far have topped 40,000 hours over the past two de-

porting ABS-CBN’s OTT platform. The goal is to be present at every touch

cades, Vidanes says.

point a consumer might want content, Vidanes says, adding that online

As streaming platforms boost demand for Asian programming, Vi-

exclusives and originals are being bumped up in the next few months.

danes says new technologies – including digital terrestrial (DTT) broad-

Like everyone everywhere, her biggest challenges have emerged from

casting – are breaking long-held habits. For one, there’s new openness

soaring mobile usage and more affordable data services, and manag-

to production partnerships with local and international content creators

ing changes in viewing patterns. ABS-CBN’s solution, Vidanes says, in-

for digital, OTT and cinema productions, Vidanes said in the run-up to

volves “content innovation, understanding our audiences, and develop-

annual programming market, MIP TV, in Cannes in April.

ing deeper and more meaningful relationships with our consumers”.

18

contentasia issue two, april 2018

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Astro continues to produce compelling premium original content that resonates with audiences across Southeast Asia. Interested? Talk to us.

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formatsQ12018

Suits me Suits Korea

Korean versions of NBCUniversal’s Suits and BBC’s Mistresses fly the flag for scripted format production in Asia this month. But that’s not the only reason Korea’s content industry is fluttering in a happier wind these days.

When Jang Dong-gun and Park Hyung-sik appear for the first time on 25

shot being filmed. Or they will be reworked, emerging in other guises to

April as NBCUniversal’s favourite lawyers Harvey and Mike, scripted for-

duck current restrictions.

mats in Asia take another step forward in a long-running drama that has been slow but is picking up.

Of the 16 titles on our China list, at least 50% are hanging around more or less lifelessly. The other eight have either just been signed, have already

The first non-U.S. version of legal drama Suits (NBCUniversal’s first scripted

aired, or are in production already with regulation-friendly terms; these

format sale in Asia) airs on public broadcast network KBS2 on Wednes-

include Endemol Shine Group’s Humans China, three-part drama Cho-

days and Thursdays in the prime time 10pm drama slot, with Park (Strong

sen China (Huaso/Sony Pictures Television/iQiyi), The Little Nyonya and

Woman Do Bong Soon) as Go Yeon-woo, the Korean version of college

The Awakening (Perfect World Pictures), The Great Art Robbery China

dropout Mike Ross. Jang, in his return to TV after about six years, plays Choi

(all3media), and three titles from Japan’s Fuji TV that have been around

Kyung-seo, the Harvey Specter character. Suits Korea is directed by Kim

since last year but are definitely a go. Fuji TV’s China titles include The

Jun-woo-II (Healer, Mystery Queen) and executive produced by Sebas-

Confidence Man, one of a trio of adaptations being crafted simultane-

tian Lee and David Kim of EnterMedia Contents. Suits debuts on Korean

ously in a first-of-its-kind development for China, Korea and Hong Kong.

screens three years after the original 2015 format acquisition announcement, when NBCUniversal talked about broadening activities in Asia.

Our published Q1 list doesn’t include two new drama series from Alibaba-owned Youku – Women in Beijing, which premiered on 9 April, and

It’s one of a growing slate of scripted formats in the region. In the

Women in Shanghai, which will stream later this year. (Ed’s note: Both

first quarter of this year, rights to at least 37 scripted titles were on Asia’s

came in after the list had close) Adapted from Japanese IP, both titles

books, either in-waiting or newly acquired. Of these, 16 (43%) were for

are part of Youku’s bid to create series that work in China... and every-

China, where regulations have shifted and the majority of format rights

where else.

on the books are likely to be allowed to expire quietly without a single

20

“When people think about Chinese drama, they often think about

contentasia issue two, april 2018

Mistresses Korea

period costume dramas or people with kung-fu flying on top of trees.

She adds that the aim is to show how modern women live in metro-

However, our main audience in the market these days are young adult

politan cities in the world today; “These are professional women, who

females who live modern urban city lives. They want to see stories that

do not rely on men; they are independent individuals with free spirits

they can resonate with, and lead characters that they can look up to,”

and minds, intelligent and witty, and in full control of their futures and

says Julia Song, Youku Tudou’s head of scripted international acquisitions

everything around them”.

and business development.

While the dramatically different cultures in Beijing and Shanghai form

“We’ve seen an increasing phenomenon of leading female charac-

the backdrop to the two series, on the macro level the topic is global

ters lately in international media/drama such as last year’s The Marvelous

and will continue to be portrayed across media around the world, from

Mrs. Maisel, Lady Bird, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, or in Asia

Sex and the City to The Devil Wears Prada, Song says. “These two dra-

specially India, hit movies like Dangal and Secret Superstar; they all have

mas have no cultural boundaries, they can be understood in every part

a strong female character who is both motivational and inspirational. This

of the world.”

was the exact reason why we chose the Japanese drama Tokyo Joshi

Others are pushing boundaries of their own. The premiere of Chosen

Zukan (Tokyo Women’s Campaign) as a base for our local adaptation,”

on iQiyi in January was a triumph for Sony and its China JV, with a simul-

Song says.

taneous debut in Taiwan and a global distribution deal with Netflix set for

Tokyo Joshi Zukan (2016) is the story of Aya, a woman who arrives in

later this year. The Mandarin-language trilogy was adapted from Sony’s

Tokyo in her twenties, then grows and changes along with her career

Crackle series in the U.S. The acquisition was announced in December

and romances against the backdrop of a glittering city. The titles were

2016 and the series started shooting in Australia in April last year.

licensed from Watanabe Productions and Tokyo Calendar Inc and re-

iQiyi describes the co-pro as “another milestone”. Yang Xianghua,

developed with Beijing and Shanghai as the backgrounds. “The stories

iQiyi’s senior vice president, says the company hopes its “new business

are very local and Chinese. The two main characters are the epitome

Continued on page 24

of how girls are living/working today in modern cities like Shanghai and Beijing,” Song says.

contentasia issue two, april 2018

Source: ContentAsia Formats Outlook, Q1 2018 updated from MIP TV April issue

21

formatsQ12018

Scripted Formats in Asia: Q1 2018 Name

Country

Rights holder/owner

About...

The Great Art Robbery China

China

all3media

Deal just done. Channel not announced.

Humans China season 1

China

Endemol Shine Group

Signed last year. Deal between Shanghai Croton Culture Media with Endemol Shine China In preproduction, may make it to air

Second to Last Love China

China

Fuji TV

First Class China

China

Fuji TV

The Confidence Man China

China

Fuji TV

Announced in March 2018. Part of a three-country simultaneous co-development deal inked by Fuji TV

The A Word China

China

Keshet International

Pending since early 2017

MICE China

China

Keshet International

Pending since early 2017. 26 prime time episodes.

No other details available

Loaded China

China

Keshet International

Traffic Light China

China

Keshet International

The Awakening China

China

Mediacorp

The Little Nyonya China

China

Mediacorp

Chosen China

China

Sony Pictures Television

On air in China & Taiwan on 7 Jan 2018. Started streaming on Netflix on 30 March

2 Broke Girls China

China

Warner Bros Int’l Television Production

Pending

Gossip Girl China season 1

China

Warner Bros Int’l Television Production

Gossip Girl China season 2

China

Warner Bros Int’l Television Production

Gossip Girl China season 3

China

Warner Bros Int’l Television Production

The three-series deal has been pending since early 2017. No updates on broadcaster or broadcast dates

The Confidence Man Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Fuji TV

Criminal Justice India

India

BBC Worldwide

The Office India

India

BBC Worldwide

Orphan Black Japan

Japan

BBC Worldwide

BBC Worldwide’s first scripted format in Asia. Premiered on Nagoya-based Tokai TV in December 2016

Signal Japan

Japan

CJ E&M

Produced by Kansai TV, distributed through Fuji TV in April

Cold Case season 2 Japan

Japan

Warner Bros Int’l Television Production

In production (March 2018)

Life On Mars Korea

Korea

BBC Worldwide

Luther Korea

Korea

BBC Worldwide

Mistress Korea

Korea

BBC Worldwide

BBC has 6 scripted rights deals in India, Korea,Japan. Mistresses airs in April on CJ E&M’s OCN, which will also air Life on Mars. Luther airs on MBC in Oct

Kill Me Heal Me Korea

Korea

Eccho Rights

Signed Aug 2017. No updates

Rich Man, Poor Woman Korea

Korea

Fuji TV

16-part series for cable channel Dramax. Ist co-pro between Fuji TV & Korea’s iHQ

The Confidence Man Korea

Korea

Fuji TV

Announced in March 2018. Part of a three-country co-development deal by Fuji TV

Prisoners of War, Korea

Korea

Keshet International

Lives on in hope. Original deal signed in early 2017

Suits Korea

Korea

NBCUniversal

Premieres on 25 April on KBS2, three years after the rights deal was announced

Mother Korea

Korea

Nippon TV

Announced Jan 2018 for CJ E&M’s tvN

Syurga Yang Ke 2

Malaysia

Emtek (Indonesia)

Ran from Dec 2017 to Mar 2018 on Astro Prima

Heartbeat Malaysia

Malaysia

Fox Networks Group

26-part series for government-backed free-TV broadcaster RTM

My Coffee Prince Malaysia

Malaysia

MBC Korea

Aired Nov 2017 to Jan 2018 on Astro Ria

Oh My Ghost Thailand

Thailand

CJ E&M Korea

Airs 16 April on True4U Thailand

Glee Vietnam

Vietnam

20th Century Fox Television

Aired from Aug 2017 to January 2018

She Was Pretty Vietnam

Vietnam

MBC Korea

Pending...

Scheduled for late 2018 after cooling its heels since early 2017

These two have been around since Oct 2015 in a format-swap deal with Huace Group/Croton Media China’s Perfect World Pictures’ Singapore office acquired rights to two dramas with strong Chinese angles that will be made in Malaysia and Singapore

Announced in March 2018. Part of a three-country development deal inked by Fuji TV Asia firsts for these two titles, driven by Aditya Birla Group’s Applause Entertainment

Source: ContentAsia Formats Outlook Q1 2018, formats distributors, channels

22

contentasia issue two, april 2018

DELIVERING AWARD-WINNING CONTENT TO THE WORLD

Delivering Award-winning content to the world China on Film Refugee Chef Super Octogenarans Contentdistribution.mediacorp.sg Content_dist@mediacorp.sg Mediacorp

contentdistribution.mediacorp.sg content_dist@mediacorp.com.sg

formatsQ12018

From top, left to right: Mother Korea, Chosen China, Golden Tambourine Thailand, Lip Sync Battle Philippines season three, Philippines Got Talent, Best of All Thailand, Grandpas Over Flowers Thailand, Sing My Song Vietnam

Dance competition Dance competition 2.3% 2.3%

Talent 12% Drama 18.1%

in February that Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) was remaking drama Luther, and CJ E&M’s Studio Dragon had acquired remake rights to Mistresses and retro detective series, Life on Mars, which is set in Seoul in 1987 during the first-ever democratic presidential election. Mistresses, starring Han Ga-in (Moon Embracing the Sun) in her return to television after

Singing competition 15.7%

Entertainmentt 3.2%

a six-year break, premieres on 28 April this year, replacing Children of a Factual Factual 0.9% 0.9%

Lesser God on CJ E&M’s OCN channel on Saturdays/Sundays at 10.20pm. Luther Korea premieres in late October 2018.

As Korean producers feel their way into a future free (like it

or not) of its massive dependence on China and with no indication when or if they will ever be welcome on the mainland again, new relationships are being formed. These include the first co-production between JaGame show 23.6%

pan’s Fuji TV and Korea’s iHQ on the Korean adaptation of Fuji TV drama, Rich Man, Poor Woman. The 16-episode series started shooting in Seoul in February, with a planned April premiere on Korean cable channel Dra-

*Reality 21.3%

max. Rich Man, Poor Woman stars Suho (EXO, The Universe’s Star, Prime Minister and I) and Ha Yeon-soo (Drinking Solo, Legendary Witches) and is directed by Min Do-sik (Jungle Fish 2, Billy Jean Look At Me). The original **Others 2.8%

Japanese series ran from July to September 2012 in Fuji TV’s Monday 9pm prime-time drama slot.

Japan is also on a scripted roll, driven by Nippon TV’s high-profile Moth-

model and innovation in distribution will lead to more cooperation with

er, and also by format innovation and outreach as well as new relation-

other global partners”.

ships with broadcasters and producers in Korea.

For now though, given shifting regulations, censorship requirements

In the first of its kind for Japanese drama, Ryota Kosawa’s script for Fuji

and uncertainly about many of the titles in China, we’re calling Korea

TV comedy series, The Confidence Man, has been sold to Korea, Hong

the most vibrant scripted formats market in Asia in the first quarter of this

Kong and China before the Japanese version even aired. All three ver-

year, with nine titles on air, signed or in waiting from January to March.

sions are in production. The Japanese series premiered on 9 April.

Three of the nine are new deals by BBC Worldwide, which announced

24

The current Japan/Korea love works both ways. A Japanese adapta-

contentasia issue two, april 2018

tion of Korean drama, Signal, begins airing on Fuji TV in April.

and Korea, which was down six overall from last year.

Zooming out from scripted, Vietnam continues to lead

In all, nine markets in Asia were up, eight were

Asia’s overall formats market by number of titles, although

down, and one (Sri Lanka) was level with a single

Thailand is catching up.

Thailand is seven titles behind Vietnam for the market with

title (Sri Lanka’s Got Talent). Singapore and Hong Kong both picked themselves up off the floor,

the largest number of formats on air, in production or com-

going from zero to one (Fuji TV’s The Confi-

missioned during Q1 2018 for broadcast in 2018/9. Viet-

dence Man Hong Kong) and two (MasterChef

nam had 46 titles (21%) and Thailand had 40 titles (19%).

Singapore on Mediacorp’s Channel 5 and all-

China was third, with 27 titles (12%) followed by Cambo-

3media’s Hit It on Mediacorp’s Suria channel).

dia with 20 titles (9%).

The market that dropped off the formats

According to ContentAsia’s latest Formats Outlook,

map was Pakistan, which slid to zero after

the top three markets – Vietnam, Thailand and China –

picking up Endemol Shine’s Big Brother Paki-

make up 53% (113) of the total 215 titles.

Although early indications in the run-up to this year’s

stan last year.

The genres with the most traction continues

MIP TV were that format expansion this year had

to be game shows, with 23.6% of the total. Of

fallen behind last year’s, final figures show a 4% in-

the 51 game shows on our Q1 2018 list, 17 are

crease to 216 for the first quarter from last year’s 208.

in Vietnam, making it the most enthusiastic

The biggest gains by volume were in Thailand, which was up by 10, and Myanmar, which added seven titles during the quarter.

New titles in Thailand include Talpa’s Dance Dance

game show market in the region.

Second is Thailand with 12 titles. Korea’s CJ E&M is on a game-show roll in Thailand with Golden Tambourine premiering on

Dance for Thailand’s TV Thunder for and Human Knowl-

Channel 7 in February, Crazy Market pre-

edge Thailand for PPTV. The new deals build on Talpa’s

miering in March and Grandpas Over Flow-

growing presence in Thailand, including shows such as

ers, Show Me The Money and Oh My Ghost

5 Gold Rings and The Next Boy/Girl Band, for which audi-

on April schedules. Thailand has been recep-

tions were held on 31 March/1 April.

The biggest overall losers on our list for the first quarter were Mongolia, which shaved eight titles off its roster,

contentasia issue two, april 2018

tive to a wide range of formats from neighbouring Asian markets, including Japan, where TV Asahi’s 31 Legged Race is in its 13th season on

25 My Coffee Prince Malaysia

formatsQ12018

Game show formats in Asia: Q1 2018 Don’t Lose The Money Cambodia

Endemol Shine Group

Cambodia

My Man Can Cambodia

Red Arrow Studios International

Cambodia

Price Is Right Cambodia

FremantleMedia

Cambodia

Are You Normal? China season 3

all3media

China

Pharaoh! 5 China

Nippon TV

China

To Tell The Truth China

FremantleMedia

China

DNA India 6

Bomanbridge

India

DNA India 7

Bomanbridge

India

DNA Telugu India

Bomanbridge

India

Hollywood Squares India

CBS Studios International

India

Baggage Indonesia

NBCUniversal

Indonesia

Who’s on Top? Indonesia

Keshet International

Indonesia

1 vs 100 Korea S16

Endemol Shine Group

Korea

Family Feud Mongolia

FremantleMedia

Mongolia

Still Standing Mongolia

NBCUniversal

Mongolia

Family Feud Myanmar S5

FremantleMedia

Myanmar

Family Feud Myanmar S6

FremantleMedia

Myanmar

Family Feud Myanmar S7

FremantleMedia

Myanmar

Money Drop Myanmar S2, The

Endemol Shine Group

Myanmar

Money Drop Myanmar S3, The

Endemol Shine Group

Myanmar

I Can Do That! Philippines Season 2

Armoza Formats

Philippines

Hit It Singapore

all3media

Singapore

5 Gold Rings Thailand

Talpa

Thailand

Armchair Detectives Thailand

Endemol Shine Group

Thailand

Best Of All Thailand, The

Dori Media Group

Thailand

Crazy Market Thailand

CJ E&M

Thailand

Family Feud Thailand S3

FremantleMedia

Thailand

Golden Tambourine Thailand

CJ E&M

Thailand

Money Drop Thailand S3, The

Endemol Shine Group

Thailand

Price Is Right Thailand season 4

FremantleMedia

Thailand

Pull Over Thailand

Armoza Formats

Thailand

Small Talk Thailand S2

FremantleMedia

Thailand

Still Standing Thailand season 5

NBCUniversal

Thailand

Wall Thailand, The

Endemol Shine Group

Thailand

5 Gold Rings Vietnam

Talpa

Vietnam

Big Music Quiz Vietnam, The

Endemol Shine Group

Vietnam

Body & Brain Vietnam

Red Arrow Studios International

Vietnam

Clever! Vietnam

Red Arrow Studios International

Vietnam

Hollywood Game Night Vietnam

NBCUniversal

Vietnam

Identity Vietnam

Endemol Shine Group

Vietnam

Lovers or Liars Vietnam

Keshet International

Vietnam

Man O Man Vietnam S1

FremantleMedia

Vietnam

Man O Man Vietnam S2

FremantleMedia

Vietnam

Mister Perfect Vietnam

Red Arrow Studios International

Vietnam

My Man Can Vietnam

Red Arrow Studios International

Vietnam

Odd One In Vietnam S5

Endemol Shine Group

Vietnam

Price Is Right Vietnam S13

FremantleMedia

Vietnam

Raid the Cage Vietnam season 2

Sony Pictures Television

Vietnam

Selfie Challenge Vietnam

Dori Media Group

Vietnam

You Deserve It Vietnam

Red Arrow Studios International

Vietnam

26

contentasia issue two, april 2018

6-7 June 2018 Hangzhou - China Mip.china 6-7 June 2018 Hangzhou-China

Registration deadline:

2 May 2018

Registration deadline: 2 May 2018

Where Global Content Meets China Production, development, financing opportunities with one of the world’s largest entertainment markets www.mip-china.com or contact your MIP represnetative

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MIP Drivin the content economy

formatsQ12018 50

46 45

44 40

40

2017 vs 2018

35

30

30 28

27

25

22 20

20

19 17

15

17 13 11

11

11

11 9

10

7 5

7 5

4

3 1

4

5 2

0

2017

2 0

0

1

2

1

1

1

1

0

2018

MCOT’s Channel 9.

Southeast Asia has by far the biggest appetite for game shows. Of the total 51, 41 are in Southeast Asia, where the average spend on a game show series is approx US$500,000.

China’s position at number three, with 27 titles, belies turmoil on the ground for foreign rights holders forced to abandon sales in favour of co-development. Perhaps ironically, for all its limits on outside formats inside China, the country clearly has no shortage of ambition in flogging its formats to global broadcasters.

At this year’s MIPTV/MIP Formats in Cannes in April, nine Chinese domestic content creators, supported by the uber-powerful State Administration of Radio and Television, flexed their creative and cultural muscle under the banner of “Wisdom in China – The Land of New Formats”.

The tagline included “time to start to create a future all together”. Bold pitches to the international community ran from The Nation’s Greatest Treasures (combo factual, variety, entertainment, celebs paired with national treasures, viewers vote) to Kung Fu Kids (reality, 24 7-13 year olds are trained by masters and compete for the ultimate title).

China’s high-profile outreach in Cannes on the Saturday evening was followed the very next morning by an equally high-profile hammering from Korea’s CJ E&M, which publicly accused online platform iQiyi of copying talent show format, Produce 101. CJ E&M backed up the accusation with proof from a new formats analysis service developed by rights protection agency Frapa. In a community long frustrated by lack of protection for original IP, iQiyi were labelled the bad guys. Will this change in tactics, this shift to public shaming, work? The jury is out, but many point out that keeping quiet didn’t work either, so what’s the harm trying?

And then there are big-brand regional formats, a space which has proved to be less lively than formats companies originally hoped it would be, but is definitely not out for the count. Three of the titles on the regional radar this year are a third season of Asia’s Got Talent for Sony Pictures Television Networks Asia’s AXN channel, and possibly The Amazing Race Asia season 6, also for AXN. FOX Networks Group (FNG) has commissioned Asia’s Next Top Model season six, which is scheduled to air in autumn this year. And that’s about it. Will MasterChef Asia return? Unlikely. The Voice?

Probably not. But the fat lady may not have sung...

Asia’s Next Top Model

28

contentasia issue two, april 2018

See you in May 2018 12th International Busan Contents Market 2018 May 9-11 Bexco, Busan, Korea Online registration available at www.ibcm.tv

Contact Ms Jungwon Lee International Marketing Director Tel: 82 2 786 4701 Email: bcm@ibcm.or.kr

formatswho’swho

Who’s who on Asia’s formats charts for Q1 2018* Endemol Shine 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

41.

42.

1 vs 100 Korea S16 Armchair Detectives Thailand The Band Rules Vietnam S2 Big Brother Kannada India S5 Big Brother Philippines S8 The Big Music Quiz Vietnam Celebrity MasterChef Vietnam The Choice Vietnam Don’t Lose The Money Cambodia The Face All Stars Thailand S4 The Face Vietnam S3 Family Food Fight China Got To Dance Mongolia Humans China Hunted China ICON China Identity Vietnam MasterChef Bangladesh MasterChef Cambodia S1 MasterChef Cambodia S2 MasterChef Myanmar MasterChef Singapore MasterChef Thailand S2 The Money Drop Myanmar S2 The Money Drop Myanmar S3 The Money Drop Thailand S3 Odd One In Vietnam S5 Perfect On Paper Korea Perfect On Paper Thailand Show Me Your Son Thailand Sing Your Face Off Thailand S3 Singer Takes It All Cambodia Singer Takes It All Mongolia Singer Takes It All Thailand S3 Singer Takes It All Vietnam The Wall Thailand Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids Philippines S2 Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids Thailand Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids Vietnam S4 Your Face Sounds Familiar Mongolia S3 Your Face Sounds Familiar Thailand Your Face Sounds Familiar Vietnam S6

FremantleMedia 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

Asia’s Got Talent S3 Boxing Glove Vietnam Cambodian Idol S3 Cambodian Idol S4 Cambodia’s Got Talent S2 Cambodia’s Got Talent S3 Cambodia’s Got Talent S4 Family Feud Mongolia Family Feud Myanmar S5 Family Feud Myanmar S6 Family Feud Myanmar S7 Family Feud Thailand S3 Heaven Or Hell Cambodia It Girls China La Banda Philippines S2 Man O Man Vietnam S1 Man O Man Vietnam S2 Mongolia’s Got Talent S3

19. My Mum Cooks Better Than Yours India 20. My Mum Cooks Better Than Yours Thailand 21. My Mum Cooks Better Than Yours Vietnam S4 22. Myanmar Idol S3 23. Myanmar’s Got Talent S5 24. Philippines Got Talent S6 25. Price Is Right Cambodia 26. Price Is Right Thailand S4 27. Price Is Right Vietnam S13 28. Small Talk Thailand S2 29. Sri Lanka’s Got Talent 30. Thailand’s Got Talent S7 31. Thank God You’re Here!

Cambodia 32. Thank God You’re Here!

Vietnam S4 33. To Tell The Truth China 34. X Factor Cambodia S1 35. X Factor Cambodia S2 36. X Factor Myanmar S3 37. X Factor Thailand S2

Talpa 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

5 Gold Rings Thailand 5 Gold Rings Vietnam Dance Dance Dance Thailand Human Knowledge Thailand I Love My Country Cambodia It Takes 2 Vietnam S2 The Next Boy/Girl Band Indonesia S2 The Next Boy/Girl Band Thailand The Next Boy/Girl Band Vietnam Stars of Tomorrow Vietnam The Voice Cambodia S3 The Voice India S2 The Voice Kids Cambodia S2 The Voice Kids India S2 The Voice Kids Indonesia S3 The Voice Kids Philippines S4 The Voice Kids Thailand S6 The Voice Kids Vietnam S6 The Voice Mongolia The Voice Myanmar The Voice Thailand S7 The Voice Vietnam S5 The Wishing Tree Vietnam

Keshet 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

The A Word China Loaded China Lovers or Liars Vietnam Manbirth Philippines Manbirth Vietnam Masters of Dance Vietnam MICE China Prisoners of War, Korea Rising Star Cambodia Rising Star India S2 Rising Star Indonesia S3 Traffic Light China Who’s on Top? Indonesia

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

Vietnam Opening Act Indonesia Real Housewives Of Bangkok Saturday Night Live China Still Standing Mongolia Still Standing Thailand S5 Suits Korea Top Chef Indonesia S2 Top Chef Thailand S2 Top Chef Vietnam S2 World Of Dance Philippines World Of Dance Thailand

Luther Korea Mistress Korea The Office India Orphan Black Japan

Red Arrow Studios International 1. Body & Brain Vietnam 2. Clever! Vietnam 3. Mister Perfect Vietnam 4. My Man Can Cambodia 5. My Man Can Vietnam 6. You Deserve It Vietnam

Warner Bros

Bomanbridge

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

2 Broke Girls China The Bachelor Japan S2 The Bachelor Vietnam Cold Case 2 Japan Gossip Girl China season 1 Gossip Girl China season 2 Gossip Girl China season 3 Little Big Shots Indonesia Little Big Shots Philippines S2 Little Big Shots Thailand S1 Little Big Shots Thailand S2 Little Big Shots Thailand S3

Chef In Your Ear Mongolia S2 DNA India S6 DNA India S7 DNA Telugu India Sing My Song Vietnam

Sony Pictures 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Chosen China Raid the Cage Vietnam S2 Shark Tank Mongolia S2 Shark Tank Vietnam S1 Shark Tank Vietnam S2

All3media

TV Asahi

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Are You Normal? China S3 Catch Me Out Thailand Gogglebox Mongolia S5 The Great Art Robbery China Hit It Singapore Sexy Beasts China S2 Sexy Beasts Vietnam Undercover Boss Japan S3

CJ E&M 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Crazy Market Thailand Golden Tambourine Thailand Grandpas Over Flowers Thailand I Can See Your Voice Philippines S3 Love at First Song Vietnam Oh My Ghost Thailand Show Me The Money Thailand Signal Japan

CBS Studios International 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Asia’s Next Top Model S6 Cambodia’s Next Top Model S2 The Doctors Malaysia Hollywood Squares India India’s Next Top Model S3 Mongolia’s Next Top Model S2 Top Model India

Fuji TV 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

The Confidence Man China The Confidence Man Hong Kong The Confidence Man Korea First Class China Iron Chef Indonesia Rich Man, Poor Woman Korea Second to Last Love China

NBCUniversal

BBC Worldwide

1.

2.

1.

2.

Baggage Indonesia Hollywood Game Night

3.

4.

5.

6.

31 Legged Race China 31 Legged Race Thailand S13 Noisy Neighbours Vietnam S4 Turn Back Vietnam S3

Dori Media 1.

2.

3.

The Best Of All Thailand It Girls Myanmar Selfie Challenge Vietnam

Nippon TV 1.

2.

3.

Mother Korea Pharaoh! 5 China Your Home Is My Business China

Armoza 1.

2.

I Can Do That! Philippines S2 Pull Over Thailand

MBC 1.

2.

My Coffee Prince Malaysia She Was Pretty Vietnam

Mediacorp 1.

2.

The Awakening China The Little Nyonya China

Viacom 1.

2.

Lip Sync Battle Philippines S3 Lip Sync Battle Vietnam S2

& with one title each...

20th Century Fox Glee Vietnam; Eccho Rights Heal Me Kill Me Korea; Emtek Syurga Yang Ke 2 Malaysia; Fox Networks Group Heartbeat Malaysia; Passion Distribution Drag Race Thailand

Criminal Justice India Life On Mars Korea

Notes: *Q1 2018 Updated from ContentAsia’s MIP TV issue. Information correct as of 30 March. Formats listed were on air or premiered in Asia in 2018, or were commissioned for broadcast in 2018/9 on channels in Asia. Formats listed in China are as per info provided by distributors; the current regulatory environment means some will not make it to air and we are doing our best to exclude those titles where and when their fate becomes clear. This list does not include: re-runs, format options, formats created solely for a sponsor/s and given for free to broadcasters, and shows created in-house that have not been sold as formats to anyone else. Information was provided by rights holders and distributors. All formats rights holders were given equal opportunity to participate.

30

contentasia issue two, april 2018

28-29 August 2018 • Singapore w w w . c o n t e n t a s i a s u m m i t . c o m

Be Included!

For info, please contact CJ Yong at cj@contentasia.tv

Whirlwind Wedding Formats that innovate Catch me Out From talent that resonates Prime time entertainment Everyday people face the challenge fo a lifetime, trick an audience into thinking they are a professional entertainer Hit It The game show that whacks

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formats that innovate from talent that resonates

PRIME TIME ENTERTAINMENT Everyday people face the challenge of a lifetime, trick an audience into thinking they are a professional entertainer.

MIPTV Stand No: P3.C10 @all3media_int all3mediainternational.com

THE GAME SHOW THAT WHACKS