TVA | July-August 2023

Editor’s Note

EDITORIAL/PUBLISHER

Keen Whye Lee Publisher

Mathew Chan Editor editor-tva@harvest-info.com

Arjay Alivia Layout and Design OPERATIONS

Mari Vergara Head of Operations manager-ph@harvest-info.com

SALES

Simon Lee Hong Kong, U.S.A., and Europe sales@harvest-info.com

Dear Reader,

Thank you for picking up the latest issue of Television Asia Plus!

It’s tumultuous times in the global world film and television production. Amidst the on-going writer’s strike in the US, the actors have voted as well to start striking. This massive Hollywood pipeline has been put to a halt and they effects of these strikes will surely trickle down eventually. But we persist.

On this issue’s cover story is brought to us by KC Global Media’s Cofounder, President & CEO, George Chien. In a world where the theatrical experience has change and studios and streamers and putting the budget in for direct to tv/streaming blockbusters, George goes over this trend and what we can expect in the future.

For our first feature story, we take a look at a study by Simon-Kucher as they examine the slow growth of streamers and what they need to maximize to make the most of the already very crowded streaming space.

Our final feature story gives us a glimpse of Nelvana’s latest short film, Jelly. Made by an award-winning team, we get a first look at the film and the hope for it to find a home or a wider release.

Mathew Chan

Editor

Chua Chew Huat Asia Pacific sales-sg@harvest-info.com

MARKETING

Lalissa Singson mktg@harvest-info.com

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Singaporean film Before Life After Death gets a surprise release on Netflix

ZEE5

Singaporean film Before Life After Death (BLAD), shot during Covid-19, was released on Netflix on 28th April and will be available for viewing to audiences across Asia and Australia.

Produced by Namita Lal (of Nutz About Me Pte Ltd) & Debasmita Dasgupta (of Film Positive Pte Ltd), the film is directed by Anshul Tiwari and written by Debasmita Dasgupta. The multi-cultural cast includes wellknown local film and theatre actors, with popular Singaporean actor Adrian Pang playing a significant role in the film. Producer Namita has also played a lead role in the film.

Commenting on the Netlfix release, Namita La, Producer of the film, said: “ We are very excited to see our little film being released on a platform like Netflix. This is a testament to the creativity that flourishes in Singapore and the fact that good films with authenticity will find support even without the backing of a big name or a huge budget.”

Set and shot entirely in Singapore the film is about a pregnant student who finds refuge and companionship with a gynaecologist who is mourning the death of her only daughter. It is the first time a story of Singaporean Indian families from diverse social classes has been portrayed in a film. The film also showcases mental health and socio/ economic challenges of immigrants and emphasises the power of sisterhood.

Redemption and Legacy renewed for new seasons in Turkey

ZEE5 Global announced their latest Telugu original series – Vyavastha. Headlined by Anand Ranga, the courtroom drama follows a story about two sharp characters that provides insight into the profession of law and influence of money in the administration of justice. The series features an ensemble cast with Karthik Ratnam, Sampath Raj, Hebah Patel, Kamna Jetmalani, Sukurtha Wagle, Shivani, Sujith Kumar Reddy, Raja Ashok and Gururaj in prominent roles. The series premiered on the platform last 28th April 2023.

Spanning across 8 episodes, the courtroom drama series is about two strong-headed lawyers, one is a power-hungry lawyer – Chakraborty and the other is an underdog – Vamsi. Vamsi is low on self-confidence due to his stammering problem and is not interested in practicing law. But when his ex-love interest is accused of murder, he decides to take up the case and challenge a senior and powerful lawyer. They battle it out in the courtroom to determine whether Yamini (played by Hebbah Patel) murdered her husband. Will Vamsi manage to prove Yamini’s innocence or there will be a twist to the tale?

This series is a clash between opposing ideologies, backgrounds, mindsets and two sides of the law. The audience can watch this Telugu original on ZEE5 Global.

Daily drama series Redemption and Legacy have both been renewed for new seasons by Turkish broadcaster Kanal 7.

Redemption premiered in November 2022 and has risen to become the top rated series in the daily drama segment in Turkey. Its second season will start in September. Legacy had previously held the number one ranking since 2020, and continues strongly in second place today. Its new season will be its fourth, bringing the series to more than 1000 episodes by spring 2024.

“The daily drama space is fiercely competitive in Turkey, with at least 8 currently in production and airing across the major broadcasters each week. We are very proud to be representing the top two titles in this genre, and international buyers are lining up to acquire these long running, ratings-winning dramas,” says Handan Özkubat, Director of Turkish Drama at international distributor Eccho Rights.

Legacy and Redemption are both produced by Karamel Yapim, who have a proven track record with daily drama titles. Series including Prisoner of Love and The Promise having achieved incredible widespread success, and Legacy has already sold to more than 40 territories worldwide.

Global announces its Telugu original legal drama series Vyavastha

Malaysia’s remake of ABS-CBN’s primetime series The Legal Wife records high viewership

ITV Studios’ The Voice Generations travels to Asia for the first time

The Voice Generations, the touching and heart-warming intergenerational edition of the phenomenal global talent show The Voice, is set to continue capturing the hearts of viewers around the world with its first ever Asian edition, for GMA Network, Inc., the Philippines’ leading Media Network. After a successful run in Australia, Lithuania, Peru and Portugal the new edition brings The Voice Generations’ total reach to four continents.

Red Skies broadcaster Reshet 13 announces greenlight for 2nd season prior to 1st season launch

ABS-CBN continues to showcase world-class Filipino stories that bring entertainment and inspiration to various audiences globally with one of its hit primetime series, “The Legal Wife,” being adapted in Malaysia as “Isteri Halal” and currently leading the TV ratings race locally as it airs weeknights on Astro’s cable channel, Astro Ria.

Since its release last February 27, the show continues to enjoy high viewership levels in Malaysia and tops all programs in the 6 PM timeslot based on DTAM’s report dated April 29, 2023. The adaptation, produced by Radius One, stays true to the original series while highlighting Malaysian culture that appeals to its local audience— starring Malaysia’s award-winning actors Isyariana Che Azmi, Aidit Noh, and Uqasha Senrose.

“The combination of its great cast and a great director makes ‘Isteri Halal’ a must-watch nightly, certainly living up to the standards set by the original ABS-CBN series. We are also delighted with the viewership feats it has amassed since its premiere, and we are overwhelmed with the support from our avid audiences,” Norzeha addressed.

Selling over 50,000 hours of content to over 50 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America, ABS-CBN continues its pursuit in producing and distributing world class Filipino shows all over the world

“The success of The Voice Generations in the four launch territories is a testament to the show’s ability to resonate with audiences of all ages, bringing families together across the world for all important, and rare intergenerational coviewing” said Ayesha Surty, Head of Brand Partnerships, Asia & India, Global Partnerships, ITV Studios. “We are thrilled to be working with GMA Network, Inc. to bring the show to The Philippines and can’t wait to see the incredible talent that the country has to offer.”

As the former ITV Studios Global Entertainment and Global Distribution teams align under Ruth Berry, Managing Director Global Partnerships, Ayesha Surty has expanded her client base to include South Korea and Japan. Zoe Tsui, Head of Content & Format Sales for Greater China has also expanded her role to include both finished programming and format sales across the region of 1.4bn viewers. Ayesha and Zoe both report to Augustus Dulgaro, EVP Global Partnerships, APAC, ITV Studios.

With the Israeli premiere set for last mid-June on Reshet 13, the broadcaster announced they have greenlit the 2nd season of Red Skies, the drama series created by Ron Leshem, Daniel Shinar (author of the novel Red Skies), Daniel Amsel, Amit Cohen and the director Alon Zingman. The series, based on the best-selling Israeli novel of the same name and inspired by true events, is produced by veteran producer Yoav Gross along with Len Blavatnik and Danny Cohen, of Access Entertainment, who serve as Executive Producers.

“’Red Skies’ tells a gripping story, leaving the viewer totally immersed from the first moment. We at Reshet 13 are fully confident in the success of the show and its creators which is why we’ve green lighted an additional season,” commented Meir Kotler, Deputy CEO.

“’Red Skies’ is a captivating story – brought to life by a brilliant cast and crew – which embodies the type of premium-quality production Access Entertainment is proud to invest in. We are delighted the show, which tells a story of love and loss on both sides of the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, has been greenlit for a second season,” stated Cohen, president of Access Entertainment.

Studio Dragon’s Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 sweeps South East Asia

Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, showing critical acclaim in countries of South East Asia like Malaysia (#2), Singapore (#3), and Hong Kong (#3).

Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938, planned and produced by the premium storytelling company Studio Dragon, has ranked in the TOP10 list in 19 countries just 2 weeks after its first release, capturing the attention of viewers worldwide.

Directed by Kang Shin-hyo, with Han Woo-ri as the scriptwriter,

and produced by Studio Dragon and House Pictures, the series was released through Prime Video. According to the OTT streaming ratings aggregator FlixPatrol, the show ranked in the top 10 most-watched Prime Video TV shows in 19 countries. Among the 19 countries, it ranked #1 in Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam,

Especially, the success of the show in Thailand and Philippines, ranking in first place, can be attributed to the marketing activities operated on each country through the cooperation of CJ ENM, Studio Dragon, and Prime Video since the planning stage. Prior to the first episode’s release, screening preview for ‘Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938’ were held in Bangkok, Thailand, and Manila, Philippines on May 5th, with participation from K-drama fans, influencers, and the press. The events included not only the preview but also meeting the actors through video and lucky draws, and fans have responded enthusiastically.

JioCinema announced the highly anticipated Asur 2; to stream exclusively for free

Amidst all the speculation and fanfare around India’s most celebrated crime series – Asur, fans are in for a big surprise as the highly anticipated Season 2 is all set to premiere on JioCinema on 1st June. The platform has put all rumours to rest by releasing the first look promo today on social media. The formidable duo of Arshad Warsi and Barun Sobti as Dhananjay Rajput and Nikhil Nair respectively, are back as Asur threatens to rise and take over the world. The second season will also see the talented ensemble of cast such as Ridhi Dogra, Anupriya Goenka, Amey Wagh, Meiyang Chang, Gaurav Arora, amongst others come back in their intense avatar.

Season 1 ended with a cliff-hanger, pondering over the fate of the elusive killer and the horror games that unfolded. The first look promo of the second season offers a sneak peek into the upcoming story line with the marvels of mythology and the

genius of forensic science colliding to create an unmissable viewing experience. Prepare yourselves for a rollercoaster ride of suspense, mystery, and adrenaline-inducing thrills as the sur-asur saga continues.

Cattleya Killer debuts as most watched series on Prime Video Philippines

ABS-CBN International Production’s psychological thriller series Cattleya Killer, starring Arjo Atayde, debuted at number one on Amazon’s Prime Video Philippines, which premiered on June 1 Arjo, who plays Anton dela Rosa, a police officer, shared in an interview with “TV Patrol” his excitement for the premiere. “This was made more than a year ago, so definitely we are excited as everyone,” Arjo stated. Meanwhile Ria Atayde, who plays the role of a journalist that gets embroiled in the case, said that she’s eager to learn about the viewers’ feedback on “Cattleya Killer.” “I feel giddy that it’s finally showing since we’ve waited for this moment for so long. I’m also so excited. I’m eager to know what people think,” she said.

Cattleya Kille r is a six-episode series that is adapted from the 1996 Star Cinema film “Sa Aking Mga Kamay.” The story unfolds when

a young woman’s body is found with a Cattleya flower, which is a signature style of a serial killer in Manila dubbed as the ‘Cattleya Killer.’ As the police force becomes baffled with the investigation, agent Anton dela Rosa (Arjo Atayde), son of Joven Dela Rosa (Christopher de Leon) – the cop

Kurt Seyit & Sura licensed to Mediaset Italy

that solved the case three decades ago – becomes the primary suspect.

Cattleya Killer also stars Zsa Zsa Padilla, Jake Cuenca, Ricky Davao, Nonie Buencamino, Ketchup Eusebio, Jojit Lorenzo, Rafa SiguionReyna, Frances Makil-Ignacio, Lito Pimentel, and many more.

Eccho Rights have licensed Turkish drama KURT SEYIT & SURA to MEDIASET Italy. Mediaset have confirmed that Kurt Seyit & Sura will air on their flagship linear channel Canale 5, premiering the 9th of June.

KURT SEYIT & SURA is a classic Turkish drama from producers Ay Yapim,

starring Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ and Farah Zeynep Abdullah in the lead roles.

“Italy was one of the first Western European territories to embrace drama from Turkey, so we are delighted to once more be bringing top Turkish content to Mediaset for their audiences”,

says Melis Hamamcioglu, Director of Digital Media Acquisition & Content Sales at Eccho Rights.

Eccho Rights has previously licensed Ay Yapim’s Brave and Beautiful, OGM’s My Home My Destiny and Sisterhood and Cherry Season – both from Sürec Film – to Mediaset Italy.

BBC Studios India and Amazon miniTV brings their latest Hindi romance drama, Highway Love

pit stops of their romantic journey till they reach their destination.

Amazon miniTV has curated another exhilarating classic romcom ‘Highway Love’. The Hindi original love story produced by BBC Studios, is built around an unconventional road trip bringing together two unlikely strangers destined for each other. Featuring Ritvik Sahore and

Gayatri Bhardwaj in prominent roles, the plot centres around the journey of two individuals with contrasting ideologies, who cross paths and ignite a captivating romance. With plenty of highs and lows, the story steers through the diversions, detours, milestones, and

Commenting about the series, Sameer Gogate, General Manager, Production, BBC Studios India, said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Amazon miniTV for Highway Love, an unconventional romcom. This BBC Studios Hindi original further adds to our growing originals portfolio. We are certain that this romantic highway adventure, through its unexpected detours and inevitable pitstops, will tickle a romantic and nostalgic nerve in each one of us.”

Highway Love will premiere exclusively on Amazon miniTV absolutely for free, accessible with the click-of-a-button on Amazon’s shopping app and Fire TV.

GoQuest Media Acquires Worldwide Rights To Comedy-Drama

Troll Farm

Global independent content distributor GoQuest Media has struck a deal with Lithuanian production company Dansu Films for the drama series Troll Farm

The deal gives GoQuest Media the worldwide distribution rights (excluding Lithuania and Estonia) for the five-part comedy-drama, the first high-end project of its kind to be produced in Lithuania. Troll Farm, a dramedy about a high-flying executive out for revenge, is directed by Ernestas Jankauskas and stars Gabija Siurbyte, also the co-creator and producer of the series.

Troll Farm (5 x 50’) made its debut earlier this year on LRT, Lithuania’s

national broadcaster, and on local streaming platform Telia Play, the first time a local show has been streamed and broadcast simultaneously on television. Troll Farm became the inaugural winner of Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival’s TV Beats Forum, showcased at Content London and

Série Series (France), two of the top industry events for presenting in-development international TV productions, and selected among others for Berlinale Series Market Selects 2023. It will also premiere at Transylvania International Film Festival.

KC Global Media collaborates with Prime Video to bring Animax + GEM to India

KC Global Media and Prime Video announced the launch of Japanese entertainment pack, Animax + GEM on Prime Video Channels in India Animax + GEM offers customers a selection of popular Japanese anime,

drama, and variety programmes with English subtitles from KC Global Media’s linear channels Animax and GEM. This ultimate 2-in-1 entertainment pack is now available to Prime members at an add-on subscription of $299 per year. With Prime Video Channels, Amazon’s video entertainment marketplace, Prime members get friction-free and convenient access to a wide range of premium content from multiple video streaming services all available with add-on subscriptions at a single destination—Prime Video website and app.

Asia’s leading Japanese entertainment brand, GEM, makes its debut in India with an unparalleled line-up of hit Japanese

dramas and variety shows featuring Japan’s leading celebrities and hosts. India fans can catch popular hit drama series, such as 10 count to the Future starring award-winning actor, Takuya Kimura, including other titles, such as AVALANCHE, Captured Hospital, Outsider Cops, and NICE FLIGHT!. Popular Japanese variety shows include VS ARASHI, featuring Japan’s hottest J-pop male idol group, ARASHI, going through a series of funny and entertaining challenges with other entertainers and celebrity guests. India fans can also explore the unique flavors of Japan as celebrity chef, Mocomichi Hayami takes audiences on a culinary adventure across Japan in Moco’s Travel Kitchen. Other fan-favorite titles include, The Quest, Who is the Real Celebrity, and more.

STN extends offering to include MENAFLIX, the rapidly growing Arabic language OTT service;

Viewers can now watch MENAFLIX programming from the Middle East anywhere in the world on any device with internet access thanks to global content distribution provider, STN. Announced today on the first day of CABSAT, STN – one of the founding partners of MENAFLIX – now offers content owners, the ability to convert their channel to an OTT stream and become part of this new and growing service.

With the launch of MENAFLIX, viewers across the world will now be able to watch live and ondemand channels from the entire Middle East region, including news, entertainment, religious, children’s programming and radio, via the free app available for Apple and Android devices. MENAFLIX is also available through Roku and Amazon. By utilizing programmatic advertising for the live free-to-air channels,

MENAFLIX TV allows channels to expose their content worldwide and generate a new revenue stream from personalized advertisements.

STN CEO Mitja Lovsin said: “As a founder of MENAFLIX and longtime operator in the MENA region, STN is known for its cutting-edge technology. As OTT viewing grew in popularity, we expanded our portfolio of services, so that we could work with customers who

wanted to convert their traditional video streams to streaming and ondemand services. From the very beginning we were careful to select partners for MENAFLIX, that fully understand the MENA marketplace and share our vision of providing the very best in customer service and attention to detail. We are delighted to now be able to offer our customers the opportunity to join MENAFLIX, the rapidly growing, Arabic language OTT service.”

All content from Animax and GEM will be streamed in their original Japanese audio and accompanied with English subtitles.

GlobalData forecasts Malaysia SVoD household penetration to reach 41% in 2027

The household penetration of subscription video on demand (SVoD) services in Malaysia is expected to increase from 22% in 2022 to 41% in 2027, driven by the increasing consumer preference towards SVoD platforms as broadband services continue to improve in the country, forecasts GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s Malaysia Subscription Video on Demand (SVoD) Forecast (Q2 2023) reveals that SVoD subscriptions in the country will increase at a CAGR of 15% over the forecast period 2022-2027, in line with the accelerated cord cutting trend among the traditional pay-TV viewers and their increasing migration towards on-demand video

services. The competitive pricing strategies adopted by OTT service providers and their investments in premium local content will also drive the growth in SVoD subscriber base over the forecast period.

Kantipudi Pradeepthi, Telecom Analyst at GlobalData, says: “Increasing coverage and availability of broadband services, and promotional multi-play service bundle plans with free subscriptions to OTT platforms will additionally lend traction to the SVoD service adoption in the country.”

Netflix held the largest share in Malaysia’s total SVoD subscriptions in 2022 and will continue to lead through 2027. Heavy investments in high quality regional content,

and affordable mobile-only plans offered at $4 per month will help the company maintain its leadership in the market over the forecast period.

Pradeepthi concludes: “Malaysia is a price-sensitive market and hence many streaming players are adopting innovative pricing strategies to add new subscribers. iFlix and Viu, for instance, allow their basic plan subscribers to watch some content for free in exchange for viewing advertisements while the ad-free shows and movies are usually locked for premium subscription plans. Operators are also differentiating their services through their content offerings. While iFlix and Viu offer a wide range of Asian and local content, Netflix brings Hollywood blockbusters and exclusive shows to viewers.”

Amazon India and Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) join hands to boost India’s creative economy

with 26 episodes planned over the next six months. The videos are produced by Millimages’ worldrenowned studio in Paris with a 16-person creative team including writers and creative directors managed by the company’s in-house Social Media team.

Millimages, one of the most innovative IP developers and oldest independent animation studios in Europe, has launched a new Molang digital channel that will be hosted by Molang as a YouTuber. The innovative concept will see Molang and sidekick Piu Piu interacting with their fans in video concepts normally made by humans (gaming, ASMR, reactions,

and various challenges), propelling the cartoon character and brand into a whole new dimension of social media.

Launched in June 2023, Molang’s YouTuber videos have racked up an impressive 50K subscribers and 4M views in just two weeks – with 2M views on the Poppy Playtime video alone. The channel will release a new ten-minute episode every friday,

Kévin Maintrot, Head of Digital Content Strategy, commented, “For the last three years, we’ve seen our subscriber base grow – 1.2M+ in just one year – by focusing our content strategy on social networks aimed at young millennials and Gen Z, who represent 78% of Molang’s audience. Also by experimenting with a number of formats and concepts, such as parodies on Instagram and TikTok dances. This brand-new YouTuber concept is a great business and strategic opportunity that breaks the fourth wall, offering multiple creative possibilities and future partnerships.”

Paramount+ expands global Korean content slate from partnership with CJ ENM

BBC Studios and LINE TV announced their first partnership to bring BBC Earth and BBC First on to the Taiwanese OTT platform, which boasts the greatest share of original content in Taiwan.

The partnership brings the world’s most iconic natural history and science documentary brand, BBC Earth, to Taiwan, treating audiences

to the most extensive catalogue in natural history, including Frozen Planet, Planet Earth, Blue Planet and a plethora of other epic nature documentaries. In addition, BBC First, home of the premium British drama brand, will bring a number of popular titles to Taiwan, including the world’s most sought-after series of Sherlock, Maigret and Call the Midwife, all of which are available on LINE TV’s BBC Earth and BBC First branded zones from July 1. This new partnership will provide local viewers with a much greater range of firstrate content, as well as an upgraded mobile entertainment experience.

To enable BBC Earth and BBC First fans to quickly locate their favourite content on LINE TV, the platform has established two new branded zones on its homepage to host the content. The BBC First zone on LINE TV will

Skytel launches Go+ in Mongolia

broadcast seasons one to four of the classic series Sherlock and the oneoff special Sherlock: The Abominable Bride; as well as Maigret, known for Rowan Atkinson’s transformative breakthrough; Call the Midwife and Luther, the internationally-renowned British period dramas, as well as other popular British drama series. With more than 1,500 minutes of BBC Earth content on LINE TV, the most extensive BBC Earth catalogue in Taiwan ever, viewers will also be able to watch Frozen Planet, which averaged eight million viewers per episode and returned for its second season last year; Planet Earth, which had more than a million viewers in its first season and no other nature documentary has yet done so, and Blue Planet, the first natural history documentary to fully explore the ocean world in TV history.

Mirada, a leading provider of cutting-edge products and services for digital TV operators and broadcasters, announced the launch of Go+, the new Pay TV service of SKYmedia Corporation LLC, a leading communications provider in Mongolia and a subsidiary of Skytel Group (“Skytel”).

The launch comes a few months after awarding the expansion of Skytel’s service to Mirada, building on the previous successful deployment of the SkyGO app that ranked #1 as the most popular app on the Mongolian Google Play Store and Apple’s AppStore, and brought online video entertainment across laptops, iOS and

Android smartphones and tablets.

The current launch will see SkyGO’s hundreds of thousands of viewers automatically migrate to Go+. The new service, migrated to a virtualised framework, brings an array of exciting features to enhance their viewing experience with personal profiles, individual content wishlists, keyword power search, advanced TVoD features, download & play, and multiple language support among many others.

Mirada CEO, José-Luis Vázquez, commented: “The launch of Go+ represents a significant milestone in our relationship with Skytel, and we could not be prouder. This partnership exemplifies the trust and confidence our clients place in our technology and expertise. We are excited about this new stage in our collaboration and continue committed to delivering the best solution to meet the growing demand for video entertainment in Mongolia.”

TV5 HD on Pay TV via Cignal Channel 15 to launches in the Philippines

Mech TV Limited announced the launch of its Mech+ FAST Channel in the UK, Ireland, Netherlands & Nordics on Rakuten TV, one of the leading streaming platforms in Europe.

The channel offers audiences 24/7 access to 10 seasons and over 160 episodes of the iconic Robot Wars, remastered in HD.

Robot Wars is the hugely popular robot combat competition series that sees amateur and professional roboteers clash with destructive remote-controlled robots in a steel

arena patrolled by the legendary “House Robots” including Sir Killalot, Matilda and Dead Metal who keep the competitors in check. Other titles on the channel will include spectacular Olympic-style robot competition Techno Games, automotive reality show Car Warriors and Rescue Robots, a children’s show featuring robots performing explorative missions.

Launched a year ago on Web, iOS and Android, Mech+ is dedicated to bringing viewers the best in science, engineering, and robotics content. Mech+ also has ambitious plans as it enters its second year with

further FAST channel launches, expansion into overseas territories and new content all in the pipeline.

Tom Burton, Senior Sales Manager, Mech+, said “Launching on Rakuten TV is fantastic, they are one of the largest FAST channel networks and have been a joy to work with. We’ve been delighted with the success on FAST with our other partners. Our mission is to reach all Robot Wars fans and show them there are plenty more robotics and engineering action shows out there. This is a huge achievement for us and we can’t wait to build on it.”

KC Global Media closes sale of Animax Korea to ANIPLUS

KC Global Media announced the completion of the deal with Asian multinational television channel and anime distributor, ANIPLUS, to acquire Animax Korea, the popular kid’s entertainment channel in South Korea. The partnership aims to elevate Animax Korea’s offerings while focusing on horizontally integrating its content across ANIPLUS’s platform and reach.

George Chien, Co-Founder, President, and CEO of KC Global Media said, “Closing this deal with

a suitable partner like ANIPLUS will elevate the Animax Korea brand to enhance and grow the channel further across their platform. South Korea is an important market for KC Global Media, and we will continue to enhance our presence here. Our regional distribution of Korean content is and will continue to be an important priority, as we leverage on our strong relationships with studios, talents, and broadcasters in South Korea.”

Animax Korea is the leading kids’ entertainment channel in South

Korea and home to premium animations from domestic licensors, Japan and around the world. This includes local gaming contents for kids with Pay TV rights, simulcasting the latest Japanese anime with exclusive Pay TV and VOD rights. The channel provides 4 to 5 fresh titles per month for kids and 6 to 10 new anime titles quarterly, targeting 15+year old viewers, and is available in Japanese and Korean (only in Korea). Animax Korea has also previously produced its own IP competitive content, from animation to kids’ entertainment shows.

BBC Studios Asia’s new licensing and consumer products team announce two licensing deals for South Korea

BBC Studios Asia has agreed licensing deals with SMG Holdings for Bluey and Studio Acorn for Hey Duggee, two of BBC Studios most loved and prestigious kids hits. The deals cover a wide range of children’s products including publishing, apparel and accessories, homeware, local food product and live events.

The Emmy award-winning preschool animation Bluey follows a Blue Heeler puppy who is characterised by her abundance of energy, imagination and curiosity of the world. Loved by both parents and kids, Bluey is a global hit, the most-watched series ever on ABC iview in Australia where it is produced by Ludo Studio.

Hey Duggee is based around ‘The Squirrel Club’ run by a big friendly dog called Duggee. Duggee teaches the

Squirrels about being responsible, taking acceptable risks and most importantly… having fun! Produced in the UK by Studio AKA, Hey Duggee continues to be a leading success for BBC Studios Kids & Family slate and is the winner of three international Emmy Awards for best pre-school animation.

Keke Oh, Chief Brand Officer, Studio Acorn says: “We are thrilled to represent Hey Duggee in Korea. Hey Duggee is the top-notch TV animation

for kids learning to respect others by playing in their unique way. All these are illustrated in vibrant colors and styles. We are very excited and looking forward to the adventure with Hey Duggee.” SMG Holdings CEO, Choi Joon Seok says… “I fell in love with the unique nature of Bluey and am looking forward to bringing this special product to Korean audiences. This heartwarming show focuses on the importance of family and at SMG we truly believe this is where Bluey’s global resonance comes from.

Korean broadcaster CJ OliveNetworks launches eleven channels with Pebble

Pebble, the leading automation, content management, and integrated chaannel specialist, announces that leading Korean broadcaster CJ OliveNetworks has successfully launched one of the most technically advanced multichannel setups in APAC.

The installation, completed with channel partner Besco, combines Pebble’s world class Automation, Integrated Channel and Pebble Remote solutions, to bring 11 fully redundant channels to air. As a result of their collaboration, the project was

honoured with the Excellence Award for Channel System at the AsiaPacific Broadcasting+ Awards 2023, highlighting Pebble’s commitment to delivering exceptional channel systems to the broadcast industry.

CJ OliveNetworks, an entertainment and media subsidiary of South Korea’s CJ Group, provides a full house of broadcast and digital services including managed broadcast transmission of 64 local and international channels. To meet current growth and future expansion it required new flexible infrastructure that could support

a combination of SDI, NDI, ST2110 and transport streams, hosted on COTS hardware. “We are excited to become an integral part of CJ OliveNetworks expansion and proud of the work that we have done as a team,” said Samir Isbaih, Pebble’s VP Sales, Middle East and APAC. “The pandemic and travel restrictions prevented on-site visits but with the assistance of our valued partner Besco and through remote access, the system was ensured a smooth process from commission through proof of concept to test, install and going live.”

TV5 HD on Pay TV via Cignal Channel 15 to launches in the Philippines

LADbible Group has announced the launch of LADstudios, its data-driven factual entertainment division, in the US.

The launch cements the publisher’s ambition to develop original content production in the region, to target the younger generation on its platforms.

LADstudios will focus on producing dedicated content for an American audience, building AFP commissions and sponsorships

and driving growth in direct revenue with UNILAD, which currently has 58.6 followers multi-platform, becoming the central point of the Group’s offering in the US. UNILAD has an existing US reach of over a hundred million on its Facebook page and 17.2 million US users a month on its website. LADbible Group is the biggest media and entertainment content creator in the US.

The launch of LADstudios in the US is marked by the release of three new digital-first formats.

‘Get A Job’, is a straight-to-camera format, and sees celebrity-focused interviews that put stars to work with a series of questions and challenges related to their lives and careers. Through a satirical lens of the corporate workplace environment, the show aims to offer fans a fun and informative way to get to know their favourite celebrities and culminates with a permanent “job offer” from UNILAD. Episodes so far have featured Liza Koshy, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Tom Holland.

Warner Bros. Discovery announces new Thai HBO Asia Originals

picnic as Mark and Kim cannot cook and they will be learning from some of Thailand’s most prominent celebrity chefs. Produced by IFA Media.

Reality series Deane’s Dynasty follows Thai celebrity power couple Lydia and Matthew Deane as they attempt to navigate the dramas of fame and family. Produced by 247 Pictures.

Warner Bros. Discovery announced three new Thai HBO Asia Originals – action-fantasy blockbuster of the year, Khun Pan 3, funfilled cooking series MarkKim + Chef, and reality series Deane’s Dynasty coming exclusively to HBO and HBO GO in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Khun Pan 3 is directed and written by Kongkiat Komesiri and produced by Sahamongkolfilm International.

Cast includes Ananda Everingham, Mario Maurer, Phakin Khamwilaisak, Sarika Sathsilpsupa, Bhumibhat Thavornsiri, Chidjun Hung, Phillip Thinroj, and Chalad Na Songkhla.

MarkKim + Chef follows soon-to-be married Thai television superstars, Kimberley Anne Woltemas and Mark Prin Suparat as they take on yet another commitment to learn to cook for each other like professional chefs across ten fun-filled episodes. But this is no

“This upcoming slate of HBO Asia Originals is reflective of the growing popularity of Thai content. We are proud to partner with Sahamongkolfilm International, IFA Media and 247 Pictures to champion homegrown creators, spotlight an incredible line up of Thai actors and bring local storytelling to audiences in the region and beyond,” said Magdalene Ew, Head of Content – Entertainment at Warner Bros. Discovery, Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

ABS appoints Ramsey Khanfour as Chief Commercial Officer

ABS, a global satellite operator, announced that Ramsey Khanfour has been appointed as the company’s Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), based at the head office in Dubai, UAE. Ramsey will be a key addition to the executive management team and will oversee global sales and marketing activities to drive the company’s next phase of growth as it navigates new markets, solutions and business models.

Ramsey brings over 20 years of international experience spanning business development, sales, and strategy, with a long track record in the industry in senior leadership positions as well as a strong foundation in consulting and network engineering for fixed and wireless technologies including satellite and optical networks.

Amit Somani, CEO of ABS, commented: “Ramsey brings a myriad of experience and expertise that will help us drive innovative growth in key sectors such as government, telecommunications, mobility and media, leveraging various business models and capitalizing on existing and new partnerships. His wide range of experience perfectly complements the ABS team and strategy, and we look forward to working with him to drive future successes for ABS, and for our partners and customers across the globe.”

Commenting on his new appointment, Ramsey Khanfour said: “I am very excited to be appointed as the CCO of ABS at this transformative time when the industry is constantly evolving. A big part of my role is to continue to align and build on the company’s momentum to strengthen and extend ABS’s current business for our evolving customers, partners, markets and technologies.”

Prior to joining ABS, Ramsey was VP of Sales and Business Development at SES, focusing on government, Telcos/MNOs, cloud, energy, mobility and media verticals amongst others for satellite solutions and space development. He previously held senior roles with Booz & Co, STC, Orange Business services, and Nortel Networks in the GCC and North America.

Ramsey Khanfour

Fremantle appoints Kit Yow as Vice President of Sales, Asia

Fremantle announced that it has appointed Kit Yow as the new Vice President of Sales across Asia. Based in Singapore, Yow will report to Haryaty Rahman, who was promoted to EVP Sales, Asia at the end of last year.

As VP Distribution, Kit will be responsible for driving sales of Fremantle’s productions with local broadcasters and platforms to help grow the business in the region. She will be joining a team, spearheaded by Rahman, which has already established strong relationships with broadcasters and producers to enhance Fremantle’s name and showcase its roster of stellar content to audiences across Asia.

Haryaty Rahman, EVP Sales Asia, Fremantle said: “Kit’s experience within the industry speaks for itself. She will no doubt bring an invaluable level of expertise and know-how to the Fremantle family as we look to grow the business, reaching local audiences across Asia. Her drive and understanding of all genres will make Kit a brilliant new VP Sales and we look forward to working with her to ensure we continue to build on our success to date.”

Kit Yow, VP Distribution Asia, Fremantle added: “I am thrilled and excited to have been given the opportunity to start this new chapter with Fremantle. I very much look forward to playing my part in terms of enhancing the already incredible reputation that the company has in the region by nurturing existing client relationships as well as bringing in new partners to the fore.”

Yow started her broadcast journey as a production assistant at Media Prima Berhad (MPB), where she progressed to become a multilingual broadcast journalist. She went on to become Head of Brand Management for Tonton, MPB’s OTT arm. With over 20 years’ experience in the broadcast industry, Yow was most recently the VP

of Sales at All3Media International where she played a key role in the company’s business expansion and content partnerships across Asia. Over her sixyear tenure, she closed a raft of content licensing deals and was also responsible for licensing hit BBC dramas to Asian OTT platforms such as Pumpkin Films in China and Naver in South Korea.

As VP Distribution Asia, Yow will be responsible for driving the distribution of already well-loved formats, finished content as well as driving Fremantle’s scripted formats in the region.

Kit Yow

Vizrt Group appoints new Director of Channel Development to strengthen Channel Program

Vizrt Group, the global leader in software for live video production, announced the hiring of Jenny Isaksson as the Director of Channel Development as the company focuses on additional investment and support for its channel partners and customers.

Isaksson brings several years of experience and a depth of knowledge to Vizrt Group. She previously held roles at Nordic Capital as an Operations Manager where she was focused on channel strategy, commercial excellence, value creation planning, and portfolio management, and at Bain and Company as a manager across growth strategy, financial planning, customer satisfaction, change management, commercial due diligence, and more.

Isaksson will work alongside the recently appointed Channel Sales leadership team which includes Paul Dobbs (APAC), Thomas Thal (EMEA), and Ed Holland (AMECS) who are focused on customer relations and growing and developing their respective regions. Together with the leadership team, Isaksson will create a comprehensive channel strategy across the territories to ensure our channel partners are equipped with the best experience alongside the best technology to support Vizrt Group’s global end users and customers.

“Half of Vizrt Group business is conducted in collaboration with our valued partners. Our appointment of a strong channel leadership, alongside the addition of Jenny, demonstrates our focus on expanding and growing our joint channel business. Her expertise allows us to take our existing strategy to new heights, leveraging untapped opportunities and establishing even stronger alliances with the channel and our customers,” states Daniel Nergård, Chief Revenue Officer, Vizrt Group.

Jenny Isaksson

The Rise of TV Movies and Straight into Streaming

By George Chien

The industry has seen studios like Warner Bros decide to release some of their films to both cinemas and streaming amidst the pandemic and how streamers like Netflix are heavily investing in creating blockbuster films you’d see in cinemas for their platforms. And now we see more studios and streamers doing the same, putting in the investment and budget for movies that are going straight for streaming.

We want to explore this trend and see if this will continue and if other industry players are taking a similar approach. As well as looking into if there is any difference, on how creators/executives sort stories they feel are better suited for the big screen and what goes to streaming.

George Chien, Co-founder, President & CEO, KC Global Media shares his thoughts on the changing landscape for producing movies between streaming platforms and cinemas, how consumer behaviour has evolved and how these changes will impact the media industry.

Overview

The world of entertainment has witnessed a profound transformation in recent years, with the rise of streaming platforms revolutionizing the way entertainment is made and consumed. As audiences increasingly embrace the convenience of streaming services from the accessibility of the mobile devices and comfort of their homes, the approach to filmmaking has evolved to cater to this new digital landscape. We will explore the trends and differences in approach between movies made for streaming platforms and those intended for the traditional cinematic experience.

The Streaming Revolution

Streaming platforms have disrupted the traditional film distribution model by offering a vast library of

content accessible at the click of a button, and ondemand. With streaming services producing their own content, they have also opened opportunities for creators and made it easier for independent voices and stories to be heard. Social issues also play a part on the emphasis of diverse voices and perspectives.

Niche content

Streaming platforms have become a haven for niche content, offering a diverse range of genres and stories that cater to specific interests and demographics. Unlike traditional cinemas that often prioritize mainstream blockbusters, streaming platforms embrace the long-tail approach, providing a platform for indie films, foreign language cinema, and diverse storytelling. This shift has empowered underrepresented voices and introduced audiences to stories they might not have encountered otherwise.

Flexibility in Storytelling

One significant difference between movies made for streaming and cinema lies in the flexibility and

George Chien, Co-founder, President & CEO, KC Global Media

freedom of storytelling. Streaming platforms, with their episodic formats and binge-watching culture, allow filmmakers to explore longer narratives and delve deeper into character development. This extended storytelling canvas enables complex and expressive storytelling, as filmmakers are not limited by the constraints of a traditional 2-hour runtime.

This shift has opened new avenues for filmmakers to tell their stories, as streaming platforms are focused on featuring variety and volume, while being flexible on trying new spectrum of genres that could be unconventional but less suited in theatres.

Technological Advancements

The future of streaming services looks bright as tech advances in 5G, and virtual reality are looking to enhance and level up the viewing experiences of consumers. While movies in cinemas are available in 3D, tech advancements through streaming have the edge over cinematic theatre experiences.

Production Budgets and Creative Control

tWhile cinemas are synonymous with big-budget spectacles and theatrical experiences, streaming platforms have provided a new avenue for mid-range and independent filmmakers. Streaming giants are increasingly investing in original content, offering substantial production budgets and creative freedom to filmmakers. This shift has enabled creators to take risks, experiment with different genres, and push boundaries without the fear of appealing to a mass audience.

The Impact on Audience Engagement

Streaming platforms have transformed the way audiences engage with films. Unlike the cinema experience, which is often a one-time event, streaming allows viewers to watch movies at their convenience, replay scenes, and engage in discussions online. Social media platforms have become virtual water coolers, where viewers can share their thoughts,

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As The Growth of Streaming Slows, Service Providers Need to Exploit their Opportunities Wisely

a study by Simon-Kucher

Ahead of Netflix’s announcement of its second quarter financial results in July, Simon-Kucher’s latest study shows that Singaporean streamers are doubling down on price being the most important purchase criterion, followed by breadth of content available.

The latest research from global consultancy Simon-Kucher into consumer streaming behavior and preferences reveals that the growth of streaming is slowing down. In their second annual Global Streaming Study, SimonKucher reveals that only 43 percent of Singaporean subscribers indicate they stream more compared to last year -- this is down 13 percentage points from the number of consumers who indicated their streaming habits were up year-over-year in 2022. The study also revealed the average number of owned subscriptions per respondent in Singapore is 1.8; down 17 percent from last year.

“While streaming was on the rise over recent years, we are now seeing some evidence of saturation in the market – a broad variety of providers are fighting for the time and budgets of consumers,” said Lisa Jaeger, Partner and Global Head of Technology, Media & Telco

at Simon-Kucher. “As consumers are becoming more and more price sensitive, cancellations will also become more likely unless service providers are able to meet consumer expectations and prove the value of their product.”

Streaming behaviors vary across content types, but are mostly unchanged compared to last year

As compared to last year, streaming of movies has remained constant – 72 percent of consumers spend more than two hours per week watching movies. With 75 percent for TV series and 32 percent for Live events (e.g. sports).

Purchase drivers are holding steady but budgets are dropping

Year-over-year, purchase criteria are largely unchanged. Price remains the most important purchase criterion,

followed by breadth of content available. Opposing the global trend (decrease of four percentage points), the importance of frequency of new content is slightly up in Singapore (increase of 0.5 percentage points) making it the second most important purchase criterion. Compared to last year, willingness-to-pay per subscription decreased by 25 percent on average in Singapore indicating a trend of increasing price sensitivity for individual subscriptions. Overall willingness-to-pay per month on streaming services decreased 14 percent.

In Singapore, like in Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, UK, and France, budgets are almost used up with little room for price increases of existing services or to add new low-priced subscriptions. While in India, US, Brazil, Spain, and Sweden respondents have already exceeded their streaming budgets with existing subscriptions – so to add a new subscription, an existing one would likely be cancelled.

Subscription fatigue is on the rise

Among Singaporean survey respondents, 43 percent would cancel an existing subscription in favor of a new

one and only 31 percent of respondents would not cancel an existing subscription, or make savings elsewhere when subscribing to a new streaming service. As compared to last year, consumers are increasingly inclined to cancel existing subscriptions (an increase of three percentage points), suggesting an increasing degree of market saturation.

Additionally, 22 percent of respondents cancelled a subscription within the last year and 39 percent intend to cancel one within the upcoming year. Overall, the average number of owned subscriptions per respondent in Singapore decreased by 17 percent compared to last year. In an international context, China had the biggest drop in streaming subscriptions per respondent (a 43 percent decrease), while Brazil (no change) and Spain (a three percent increase) are the only countries that have not seen a decline in streaming subscriptions.

*About the Study: The Global Streaming Study 2023 was conducted during May 2023 by the global consultancy Simon-Kucher & Partners. More than 12,000 consumers from across 12 countries (Singapore, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, UK, US) were surveyed on their streaming behaviors and preferences.

Nelvana Embraces Creative Journey and Reveals First Look for Original Short Film, Jelly

Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana, a world-leading international producer, distributor, and licensor of children’s animated and live-action content, today announced the studio produced its second original short film entitled Jelly, created and directed by Emmy® Award-winning director Robin Budd (Beetlejuice, Hotel Transylvania: The Series), and reveals ‘first look’ images. Featuring music from esteemed composer Daniel Lanois, Jelly is a 2D animated short film exploring the universal reality that life is too precious to be unhappy at work and encourages the pursuit of one’s true passion. The 13-minute film made its world premiere at the 27th Edition of Fantasia International Film Festival earlier this month, and has started to receive interest among renowned festivals internationally.

“Building on the critical acclaim received on our short film The Most Magnificent Thing, Jelly reinforces Nelvana’s position as a creative powerhouse.” said Athena Georgaklis, Vice President of Nelvana Studios. “We’ve been fortunate to have Robin Budd as a long-standing collaborator, having worked together on successful projects such as the Beetlejuice TV series to Ruby Gloom, and Hotel Transylvania: The Series. His expertise and artistic vision have been instrumental in

bringing Jelly, his first original short, to life. With Jelly, we have expanded our team’s creative and storytelling abilities, while also pushing the boundaries of our technical capabilities.”

Jelly takes audiences on a journey through a modern dilemma intertwined with a captivating fairy tale. Should the hero character, Molly, pursue the passion of expressive art, or tread a factory job painting mannequin faces? She cannot decide, but a liquid spirit soon helps make the choice easy. Molly is someone who just has to express herself, even when her cold-as-ice Big Bad Boss Lady is wicked, oppressive, and just plain mean. That creative gift just has to get out. It must! No matter what the repercussions. In our hero’s case, it is a tiny but growing puddle of goo that helps transform Molly into a force to be reckoned with. Join Jelly, as she ignites Molly’s inner mojo, helping her discover that fortune does indeed favour the brave.

Created and Directed by Emmy® Award-Winning Director Robin Budd and With Music by SevenTime Grammy® Award-Winning Daniel Lanois, Jelly Debuted at the 27th Edition of Fantasia International Film Festival.

“Creating this original short film has been a dream come true. It’s been a privilege to collaborate with Nelvana, and their dedication to pushing artistic boundaries has allowed us to create something truly special,” said Robin Budd, Creator and Director of Jelly. “This film is a testament to the power of storytelling and the limitless possibilities of animation, and I can’t wait for audiences to join us on this extraordinary adventure that we’ve all experienced at some point in life.”

With the art direction led by Jelena Sisic, the film features a film-noir concept to highlight the mundane and oppressive world that plagues our protagonist, followed by a bright and colourful world once she unites with Jelly and realizes her creative potential. The film features music from Grammy® Award-winning Daniel Lanois’ expansive catalogue, providing depth and intrigue to Molly and her world.

“Similar to music, the struggle for creative inspiration is a universal concept.” said Daniel Lanois, Composer. “It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with Robin Budd and the Nelvana team to select music from my catalogue that will not only help enhance Jelly’s unique animation, but resonate with international audiences as they sympathize with Molly’s creative journey.”

With Robin Budd as creator and director of Jelly and music composed by Daniel Lanois, Laurie Handforth and Marilyn McAuley join as producers with Pam Westman and Athena Georgaklis as executive producers. The enchanting short film was written by Robin Budd and Dale Schott, featuring art direction by Jelena Sisic.