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Dear Reader,
Welcome to the May-June 2025 issue of Television Asia Plus!
We have finally come to the middle of the year; the time to look back at what’s happened and to be excited for what’s to come. As with anything in the entertainment industry, things are rapidly moving in all sorts of directions especially in technological development and AI. As the growing concern of creators and creatives have with Artificial Intelligence there are many developments that seek to make consumers’ lives easier.
For this issue’s cover story, we have a piece by By Fanly Tanto, Country Director, Indonesia, Google Cloud, about Vidio’s enhanced AI recommendations and how it has helped Indonesian seek content during Ramadan.
For our first feature story, we have a peek on Viddsee’s expansion and how they intended to bolster their storytelling through new endeavors,
And our final feature story about the content and production footprint of the Middle East and North Africa with local streamer Shahid coming out on top
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Viu, PCCW’s leading panregional OTT video streaming service, unveiled its latest series, SLAY, in collaboration with GMA Network in the Philippines. This groundbreaking collaboration represents a major milestone in entertainment, granting Viu subscribers exclusive early access to the series a full three weeks before it premieres on the GMA Network, one of Philippines’s top free-to-air channels. The extended version on GMA will include additional episodes and an alternate ending, delivering a fresh and captivating twist to this thrilling murder mystery.
Designed to captivate Gen Z and Millennial audiences in the Philippines, SLAY reinvents the murder mystery genre by immersing it in the fast-paced, high-energy world of fitness. The plot follows four women, each harbouring their own motives and meticulously crafted plans to eliminate a famous fitness influencer. However, their schemes
take a deadly turn when the influencer dies under mysterious circumstances, leaving them entrapped in a web of secrets and suspicion.
Headlining the series are GMA Network’s brightest stars: Gabbi Garcia, Julie Anne San Jose, Ysabel Ortega, Mikee Quintos and Derrick Monasterio. These acclaimed actors deliver powerhouse performances, bringing depth and intensity to their roles in this thrilling and innovative take on the murder mystery genre.
Their compelling portrayals promise to keep viewers on the edge of their seats, making SLAY a mustwatch series.
With their third collaboration, Viu and GMA Network continue focusing on bringing high-quality Filipino entertainment to global audiences digitally. SLAY follows the success of previous hits like The Write One (2023) and Love Before Sunrise (2023), both top-performing titles on Viu that captivated viewers with unique storytelling.
Leading independent distributor
All3Media International has concluded deals across five continents for Boarders, the acclaimed Studio Lambert drama
Series one received wide critical acclaim on its UK debut. Both sixpart series of Boarders, created and written by BAFTA-nominated Daniel Lawrence Taylor, have been acquired by Stan in Australia and
Discovery in New Zealand. Amazon Prime Video Africa (pan) has also signed the show, whilst in Europe, All3Media International has also secured deals with EITB in Spain, RTP (Portugal), RTL Hrvatska (Croatia), YLE (Finland) and VRT (Flemish Belgium).
These acquisitions add to continuing co-production partnerships with Tubi – where it is the exclusive home of Boarders in North America and Latin America, and with ZDFneo in Germany.
Produced by Studio Lambert, part of All3Media, in association with All3Media International for BBC Three and BBC iPlayer, Boarders follows five talented black innercity teens transported to an alien world – a British boarding school – after gaining scholarships to the
prestigious St. Gilbert’s. They set out to make the most out of the opportunity, despite their places only being offered as a poorly disguised PR exercise to improve the reputation of the school.
Boarders is created by Daniel Lawrence Taylor, who serves as lead writer with Yemi Oyefuwa, Jeffrey Aidoo and Racheal Ofori writing additional episodes for series 2. The second series is directed by Joelle Mae David and Sarmad Masud with Ali MacPhail returning as the producer and Carleen BeadleLarcombe as line producer. Mykaell Riley will also return as Musical Director. Executive producers are Daniel Lawrence Taylor and Madeleine Sinclair for Studio Lambert, and Nawfal Faizullah and Katherine Bond for the BBC.
Academy Award®-nominated French animation studio Xilam Animation has secured a fresh raft of sales for its CG animated slapstick comedy series Karate Sheep (78 x 7’). Following its worldwide premiere on Netflix in 2023, Xilam has inked new deals with international partners including Warner Bros. Discovery for Cartoon Network (Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong), BEIN (Middle East & North Africa), Minika (Turkey), Gulli (France) and Viu TV (Hong Kong, Macau).
Created by Xilam Animation’s Hugo Gittard (Zig & Sharko, Mr Magoo) the
series targets kids aged 6-9 years and follows Trico – an enthusiastic sheep who loves to share new objects and ideas with the rest of the flock. This causes ruckus in the mountain pastures, which inevitably ends up at Wanda’s expense, a tough ewe whose job is to keep the sheep safe. No small feat, especially when Wolf is always lurking, waiting to make the most of this newfound chaos.
The series was co-commissioned by Netflix and Super RTL in Germany, premiering
on Netflix in 2023 and Super RTL in late 2022. Xilam holds second-window global linear TV distribution and merchandising rights for Karate Sheep.
Safaa Benazzouz, EVP Distribution at Xilam Animation, said, “Karate Sheep has quickly established itself as a strong new slapstick comedy title in our library – which is a tentpole genre for our company that continues to appeal to broadcasters and audiences around the world. The series’ humorous and heartfelt nature, combined with universal themes of companionship and working together, make it comforting viewing for the whole family, and we’re sure these new global viewers will be charmed by the many adventures of Trico and his flock.”
These latest wave of broadcasters join existing partners for Karate Sheep, including Warner Bros. Discovery (Italy), Sony Yay! (India), Youku (China), Nova TV (Czech Republic), and Etisalat (United Arab Emirates).
Indie distributor Woodcut International has closed a string of license deals for three new Second World War documentary titles, as broadcasters worldwide seek premium content to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
SBS Australia has acquired an 18-hour package of Second World War-themed content.
The package is headlined by the Woodcut Original series Surviving WW2 (3 x 60 mins) produced by Woodcut Media. Each episode focuses on the personal stories of courage and resilience behind the headlines of history. While experts provide context and offer insights into the cataclysmic conflict, it is gripping first-hand narratives from
the civilians and military veterans that lived through its horrors that form the heart of the new three-part series.
Also included in this package deal are two new documentaries from Prague-based producer Picasso Film. Auschwitz: Countdown to Liberation (1 x 84 mins) is a harrowing account of the events leading up to the liberation of the Polish concentration camp in January 1945, told through the testimonies of survivors, local residents, liberators and even the perpetrators of one of history’s darkest chapters. Auschwitz is also central to Mengele Unveiled (3 x 60 mins), which analyses the life of the SS officer and physician and the atrocities he committed in the name of medical research. Featuring new documents and unseen testimonies, the three-part series also examines Mengele’s long
life as a fugitive and the incredible circumstances that allowed the mostwanted Nazi criminal in the world to die a free man on a beach in Brazil.
Surviving WW2, Auschwitz: Countdown to Liberation and Mengele Unveiled have also been picked up by BBC Studios for BBC Select, the company’s ad-free streaming documentary service available in the US and Canada, while Smithsonian Channel Canada has taken Surviving WW2.
Production has commenced on the HBO Original drama series Lanterns on the historic Warner Bros. lot in Burbank. The series, an HBO Original production in association with Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios, is based on the iconic DC title Green Lantern.
The series follows new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland. Cast includes Aaron Pierre, Kyle Chandler, Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, and Ulrich Thomsen.
Chris Mundy, Executive Producer and Showrunner, commented, “From the start, our driving force has been to deliver a layered drama –rooted in nuanced storytelling and
rich world building – that balances tension and mystery with honest, authentic emotion. The goal is to create something that feels timeless and grounded without sacrificing the magic of the source material.”
HBO in association with Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios. The Lanterns pilot is co-written by
Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof and Tom King. The first two episodes are directed by James Hawes, with Stephen Williams, Geeta Vasant Patel and Alik Sakharov also tapped to direct. The series is executive produced by Mundy, Lindelof, James Gunn, Peter Safran, King, Ron Schmidt, and Hawes. Based on the DC comic “Green Lantern.”
Global Agency’s hit Turkish romantic comedy
Mr. Wrong starring Can Yaman and Özge Gürel, has reached an extraordinary milestone, securing sales in 100+ countries worldwide
including Spain, Italy, Brazil and countries in the CIS, MENA, Africa and most of the Balkans.
The romcom is produced by Gold Film, one of Turkey’s leading production companies, known for its success with hit series like Daydreamer, Iffet, Dila, and Never Let Go. Aired on FOX TV on Friday nights in 2020, the series follows the charming Ezgi as she embarks on a desperate quest to find Mr. Right in all the wrong places. The show has been loved by viewers around the world. The big success of Daydreamer, another Gold Film production with the same lead actors, helped Mr. Wrong become popular internationally. The strong demand for good romantic comedies, along with the great on-screen chemistry between Can Yaman and Özge Gürel, made the series a great choice for TV channels.
İzzet Pinto, founder and CEO of Global Agency, said, “Mr. Wrong has won the hearts of viewers around the world with its fun and relatable story. The show’s talented writers, Aslı and Banu Zengin, have created the perfect mix of humor and romance. With its beautiful locations, stylish scenes, and the amazing chemistry between Özge Gürel and Can Yaman, this series is truly special. Mr. Wrong proves that a well-made romantic comedy can entertain people everywhere. The success of Mr. Wrong shows that Turkish romantic comedies are in high demand worldwide. Gold Film continues to lead the way with great storytelling, talented actors, and high-quality production. As Turkish series become more popular globally, this success will bring bigger investments, better production quality, and stronger partnerships with other countries.
THEMA, a Canal+ Company has announced the launch of the Korean drama ‘Do You Like Brahms?’ in Portugal. Following the success of Turkish and Spanish productions on its channel, SIC Mulher, a channel aimed at a female audience, has recently made the strategic decision to air Korean productions for the first time and has entrusted THEMA to deliver high-quality content.
Korean dramas are becoming increasingly popular globally, thanks to their unique storytelling and high production quality. In Europe, their
appeal is reflected through rising viewership on streaming platforms and active fan communities. The SBS-produced series premiered on SIC Mulher last March. The series will also be available on SIC’s streaming platform, OPTO
‘Do You Like Brahms? ’ is a romance drama about Song Ah, who, in
defiance of her family’s opposition, is accepted into the music school of the same university where she originally majored in business. Being seven years older than her classmates, she finds her new academic life daunting. Park Joon-young is a talented pianist and classical music student who began playing the piano at the age of six. The two share a passion for music and begin to develop feelings for each other.
The drama is interpreted by the acclaimed Park Eun-bin, who has appeared in many other successful South Korean series.
Emmy-award winning media company World of Wonder has announced a brand new series entering the Drag Race universe: Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale. A twist on the “Vs. The World” format popularized by RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs The World and Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs the World, Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale will see fan-favorite queens from previous seasons of Drag Race Philippines take on Asian queens from across the global franchise in a battle for the crown. The new series is set to premiere worldwide exclusively on
WOW Presents Plus later this year. Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale will build off of the wildly popular “Drag Race Philippines” format. Across three seasons, the originating series has been praised for its unique twists on fan-favorite challenges and tropes, all while celebrating the distinctive Filipino drag culture and community. Most recently, reigning season three winner Maxie won the title of the Philippines’ Drag Superstar, joining the Winner’s Circle alongside previously crowned queens Precious Paula Nicole and Captivating Katkat. Co-Founders of World of Wonder,
Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, said, “This new version of Drag Race shines a spotlight on Asian drag as never before, celebrating its culture, its history and creativity in a unique battle royale.” Drag Race Philippines: Slaysian Royale is the latest addition to the Emmy-award winning Drag Race franchise. The record-breaking global phenomenon, produced by World of Wonder, has seen successful adaptations in over 16 countries, including Chile, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Down Under (Australia / New Zealand) and more.
Drag Race Philippines is produced in the Philippines by Fullhouse Asia Production Studios, Inc. in conjunction with World of Wonder Productions, Inc. Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, RuPaul Charles, Alex Godinez – Lopez and Maricel Ticar Santos serve as Executive Producers on the series.
A brand new daily children’s show premiered on NHK. Premiered last April, The Wakey Show is aimed at elementary school kids before they head off to school. The main character, Wakey, who is a DJ, and his puppet friends will deliver bits of fun and music each day to make the children’s lives a little brighter. Drawing from the diverse educational content of NHK’s educational TV channel, this 20-minute edutainment show will open the children’s door to knowledge through games, exercises, dance, music, food, fashion, comical skits, manga and more. It is the first time in 3 years that NHK launches a new daily program for children.
NHK Educational Corporation’s Masakazu Sato, Producer of The Wakey Show comments,“In Japan, 7:00am is a valuable time when the entire family is together in front of the TV. By sharing with the children interesting insights from various fields every day, we hope to convey
and nurture a sense of appreciation for the world that we live in.”
The Wakeys are a team of 6 members. In addition to the main character, Wakey, there are four puppet characters who each have a field of expertise and one musician. The puppets and the puppeteers represent one character – a new style of puppetry – that enables the characters to sing, dance, move more freely like even do comical skits etc
Partnering with Sesame Workshop, the global nonprofit behind Sesame Street, the program will have a weekly segment featuring Elmo. “Elmo’s Like It Rap” will invite children across Japan to share who they are, what they like, and what they’re proud of through the power of rap.
NHK enjoys a long history of collaboration with the Sesame Workshop. The globally beloved children’s series Sesame Street aired on NHK from 1971-2003, and in 2020, Sesame Street specials like Elmo’s Playdate were enjoyed by NHK viewers. More recently in 2024, the two collaborated on the music video“We Belong” featuring Midories, the popular children’s group, to promote social development goals. Additionally, NHK and Sesame Workshop teamed up with Japan Committee for UNICEF on the joint campaign “For Every Child” to help nurture a better future for every child.
yes Studios has announced that its latest drama series, to be launched to the international market, is the riveting six-part action drama Embassy Down
Inspired by true events and written by Shlomo Moshiach, the talented creator and award-winning screenwriter behind hit series that include Your Honor and The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem, Embassy Down takes us back to 2011 and the
time of civil unrest in Arab nations that became known as the “Arab Spring”.
At the height of the unrest, five Israelis become trapped inside the Israeli embassy in Tahrir Square, Cairo, while thousands of angry demonstrators try to break in by taking down the embassy wall. wall. Embassy Down follows the gripping story of how they remain under siege for 24 hours, left to fend for themselves while trying to find a way to escape imminent danger. Across this nerve-wracking day, tensions begin to mount, specifically between security agent Tal Shemtov and Roy Barzani – his childhood friend, who’s now head of security and also his boss – plus Barzani’s girlfriend Hagar, caught up in the middle with a secret of her own. As political and personal interests mix, and values of solidarity and the promise that “no soldier is left
behind” seem devoid of meaning, both unstable friendships and national relations between Egypt and Israel are pushed to the brink.
Embassy Down is a high-stakes, edge-of-seat, international drama told in Hebrew, Arabic, English and French. It has been written by Shlomo Moshiach and was created by Shlomo Moshiach, Ariel Benbaji and Ester NamdarTamam. The series is directed by Ariel Benbaji and produced by ARTZA Productions (The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem, Stockholm) and yes TV. yes Studios, home to major international series such as Fauda, Your Honor, Night Therapy and The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem, is the international distributor for both the finished series and the scripted format.
The BBC has announced new drama The Cage, written and created by BAFTA nominated Tony Schumacher (The Responder) and starring BAFTA awardwinner Sheridan Smith (Cilla, The C Word, Mrs Biggs) and Michael Socha (The Gallows Pole, Showtrial). Produced by Element Pictures, a Fremantle Company (Poor Things, Normal People), for BBC iPlayer and BBC One, The Cage is a high-stakes, high energy crime story set within the world of a Liverpool Casino with two unforgettable characters at its heart.
When Leanne (Smith) and Matty (Socha) discover they are both robbing from the safe at the inner-city casino they work in, their lives are set on a collision course; with each other, the local gangster
they’re stealing from, and the police. The five-part thrilling characterful drama will be directed by Al Mackay (Kidnapped, Without Sin) and shot in and around Liverpool and Merseyside.
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, says, “The Cage is character-driven, hugely entertaining and full of heart, and I’m delighted that Tony has chosen
the BBC to be the home of his second series following on from the success of The Responder. With Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha leading the cast, Al Mackay directing and the team at Element Pictures producing, viewers are in for a treat.”
T he Cage is an Element Pictures (a Fremantle company) production and was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama. Hilary Martin serves as executive producer for Fremantle, Christopher Aird, Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe for Element Pictures alongside Tony Schumacher and Sheridan Smith. Lucy Richer serves as executive producer for the BBC and Clare Shepherd will produce. Global sales will be handled by Fremantle.
The groundbreaking new talent competition show SONG vs DANCE which premiered last March 2025 on TV Asahi’s, Channel 5 has taken Japan by storm, garnering excellent ratings and tremendous social media engagement.
A co-production between TV Asahi and Smart Dog Media, this thrilling one-hour variety show special which pushes the boundaries of entertainment, has captivated audiences nationwide with its action-packed highenergy competition format.
SONG vs DANCE which gained a 3.5% rating and a 15.9% share* achieved remarkable success securing the second most watched program during its time slot amongst the six terrestrial channels in Japan. The show also delivered the highest share among artist performance music shows aired in 2025 underscoring its dominance in
the genre. SONG vs DANCE also claimed the No. 1 spot for key demographics including teens, young men and men & women aged 50+ showcasing its broad appeal to multiple age groups.
In addition to these impressive ratings SONG vs DANCE sparked exceptional reactions during its broadcast on social media. Clips from the show went viral on TikTok amassing over 136 million impressions, gaining 10,000+ followers and garnering a massive 7.2+ million views on a single video. The show also ranked 5th in Yahoo’s SNS trends
and 3rd in the Android search apps, underscoring its widereaching and diverse audience.
Bringing together two of the biggest forms of artistic performance – singing and dancing – creating a new benchmark in competition television SONG VS DANCE is executive produced BY Craig Plestis and Clara Plestis of Smart Dog Media, alongside TV Asahi’s Takaaki Kitano. SONG vs DANCE marks TV Asahi’s first co-production with U.S.-based production company, Smart Dog Media.
Paris-based cross-border media company Bolytics has successfully brought Voltaire in Love, a premium historical drama from ZDF Studios, to the Chinese market.
The series is now streaming on Sohu Video, one of China’s leading online video platforms, and is being broadcast across five regional TV channels: Sichuan TV, Guizhou TV, Shandong TV, Henan TV, and Jilin TV. Sichuan and Guizhou aired the program last week, with the remaining three scheduled to follow in the coming weeks. This marks a significant milestone, as Voltaire in Love is the first ZDF Studios title to be successfully distributed to China since 2024. The
launch reflects a growing interest in premium European scripted content among Chinese audiences, and further strengthens Bolytics’ role in connecting European creators with major Asian platforms.
Voltaire in Love explores the passionate life of Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire, offering a dynamic blend of romance, wit, and political drama set in 18th-century Europe.
Man or Mannequin?, the competitive gameshow format produced by Japan’s leading multiplatform entertainment powerhouse Nippon TV, has been optioned for adaption in the Italian market by Italian production company Casta Diva. The announcement was made today by Sayako Aoki, Head of International Sales at Nippon TV, and Massimo Righini and Fabio Nesi, Chief Operating
Officer and Chief Executive Officer, respectively, at Casta Diva Pictures.
Man or Mannequin?, which launched globally at MIPCOM 2024, is a highstakes, team-based game show where celebrity contestants race against time to find mannequins cleverly hidden throughout the city. Contestants might find a mannequin baby in a stroller at a shopping arcade or realize that a woman sitting cozily with a partner
on a park bench is actually a mannequin. Each mannequin found brings the team closer to victory, but hidden among them are fake mannequins and humans pretending to be mannequins trying to fool the contestants. As the game progresses, expanding into new locations with even more cunning and witty disguises, the challenge intensifies. Former teammates might become rivals, using their knowledge of each other’s strategies to outwit and outplay as they try determining what is real or fake.
Sayako Aoki, Head of International Sales at Nippon TV noted, “Since the launch of “Man or Mannequin?” last October, we have been receiving positive feedback towards this format from around the world for its lighthearted, hilarious content which can provide viewers with a little break from their busy everyday life. We are excited to work with Casta Diva Pictures towards its first international version and looking forward to seeing what their creativity brings to this format.”
SPOTV NOW, a leading sports OTT platform, has announced that it has secured exclusive streaming rights for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) pay-per-view (PPV) events and the Snow League in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand (except AEW) and Hong Kong.
This partnership will bring the excitement and action of AEW’s premier wrestling events and the Snow League’s thrilling snowboarding competitions to fans across Southeast Asia. This collaboration highlights our dedication to offering top-tier sports entertainment to our subscribers.
In addition, SPOTV NOW will also these upcoming events:
• December 4–6, 2025: Yunding
Secret Garden, China
• February 26–28, 2026: Buttermilk Mountain at Aspen Snowmass, USA
• March 19–21, 2026: LAAX, Switzerland
AEW has quickly become one of the most popular wrestling promotions in the world, known for its thrilling matches and star-studded roster.
The Snow League, created by legendary snowboarder Shaun
White, aims to push the limits of winter sports competition, delivering intense performances and jaw-dropping finishes.
With this new partnership, SPOTV NOW aims to enhance the viewing experience for sports fans in the region, offering them access to premium content and live events. This also SPOTV NOW’s initiative to bring more sports content to underserved fans in the region to serve them better.
International production studio, rights business and channel operator, Blue Ant Media has announced that it has expanded its ongoing partnership with Samsung TV Plus, the go-to service for free, premium entertainment that allows content owners and advertisers to engage consumers at scale, with the launch of Love Pets in the U.S. and Canada.
Love Pets, which features heartfelt stories about the animals and pets in our lives, is the latest offering from Blue Ant Media’s portfolio of premium streaming brands to join Samsung’s FAST and AVOD platforms in the U.S. and Canada. This growing roster includes the wildlife and nature-focused Love Nature, renovation and design channel Homeful, paranormal-
themed HauntTV, crime-centric Total Crime and Declassified, which features conspiracies, catastrophes, engineering and ancient civilizations.
“The latest launch of Love Pets on Samsung TV Plus showcases the ongoing global partnership we have with its leading free streaming platform to deliver on curated, turn-key programming through our existing line-up of channels,” says Carlyn Staudt, President, Global
Channels and Streaming, Blue Ant Media. “Expanding the reach of Love Pets on Samsung TV Plus in the U.S. and Canada in particular offers viewers heartwarming pet stories they can’t find anywhere else.”
Programming highlights on Love Pets include: Vet on the Hill Seasons 1 – 3 (55 x 60’), which follows vet Dr Scott Miller as he works to cure animals in need at his clinic in London, England; The Bizarre Pet Vets (6 x 45’), about a team of Australian vets who use their expertise to treat bizarre pets, but beloved pets, of people in the community; Bondi Vet Seasons 1 – 8 (132 x 60’), the hit Australian series that takes viewers inside the hectic clinic Dr Chris Brown to see the variety of animals treated at Sydney’s busiest Bondi Beach clinic.
OUTtv, the world’s leading LGBTQ+ television and streaming service, is launching its first channels in Asia, partnering with Chunghwa Telecom to launch OUTtv in Taiwan, available as a linear offering for audiences. OUTtv launches on 18th March 2025 in Taiwan, with the linear channel available on Chungwha IPTV service, Multimedia On Demand (MOD), on channel 375.
Chunghwa Telecom is the largest telecom provider in Taiwan, with 2 million subscribers for its MOD IPTV service. The launch forms part of OUTtv’s strategic collaboration with Ulight Entertainment Technology, which is supporting the distribution of OUTtv as a channel across Asia.
OUTtv’s expansion into Asia continues a period of rapid international growth for OUTtv,
following launches in New Zealand through a partnership with Prime Video as well as its newly rebranded SVOD service OUTflix expanding to the Nordics with Allente in 2024.
OUTtv viewers on Chunghwa will have access to the service’s LGBTQ+targeted original programming including hit series For The Love of DILFs, Sew Fierce and Call Me Mother, as well as library content from OUTtv’s original series, documentaries, films and specials.
Lei Chi Chen, CEO and Founder of Ulight Entertainment Technology, said,“The launch of OUTtv on Chunghwa Telecom is a significant first step in bringing more diverse and inclusive content to audiences in Asia. Through our partnership, Ulight has been instrumental in facilitating this expansion, ensuring
that OUTtv’s unique programming reaches new viewers in Taiwan. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to support global content providers in navigating the Asian market.”
OUTtv is working closely on their expansion into Asia with Ulight Entertainment Technology and Greg Ang and Harold Gronenthal of GangTV, Ang’s long-standing Singapore-based content and distribution company.
The debut of the hit show Most Wanted on Videoland has been a resounding success and is now set to expand internationally
The immersive reality escape and chase game will soon premiere on streaming platform Joyn in Germany, marking a significant milestone in its global journey. In the Netherlands, Videoland has just confirmed a second season, following the strong performance of the first, which captivated audiences and held an impressive spot in the Videoland
Top 10 for seven consecutive weeks. Wouter van der Pauw, creative founder at Signal.Stream, points to a key factor in its success, “Most Wanted was designed as a content event. Viewers aren’t just watching the chase, they’re part of it through social media, live interaction and celebrity engagement. That sense of urgency made the show truly stand out.”
He explains, “The key was a postproduction process built for speed without compromising quality. By
releasing the show just days after the finale, we captured peak momentum and created maximum social buzz. For a streaming generation overwhelmed by choice, timing is everything. As co-creators, Signal.Stream and Talpa Studios approach content discovery not as an afterthought but as a strategic foundation from day one. Backed by Talpa Studios’ global reach and creative legacy, we design formats that don’t just sit on a platform, they actively find and engage their audience.”
Sebastian van Barneveld, Director Global Distribution at Talpa Studios commented, “Most Wanted has proven to be a true streaming hit, driving both high subscription rates and strong viewership. The expansion to Germany is a testament to the format’s universal appeal and a significant milestone in its international journey.”
In a groundbreaking achievement that cements its position as India’s most loved streaming platform, JioHotstar has surpassed 100 million subscribers. This historic feat is a resounding testament to JioHotstar’s unwavering commitment to understanding and serving India’s diverse audience. Revolutionizing streaming in India, turning it from a premium service for a select few into an integral part of daily life for millions. JioHotstar has set new benchmarks in how content is enjoyed widely with unique freeviewing sampling proposition, thoughtful subscription pricing strategy, and deep partnerships with leading telecom providers making access ubiquitous.
JioHotstar has reimagined sports streaming in India with immersive, interactive experiences for every fan. Alongside being the home of premier tournaments like ICC
events, IPL, and WPL, JioHotstar has also championed grassroots cricket through the Indian Street Premier League and brought global sporting excellence with the Premier League and Wimbledon, while powering domestic leagues like Pro Kabaddi and ISL. With cuttingedge streaming features including ultra-HD 4K streaming, AI-powered insights, real-time stats overlays, live chats, multi-angle viewing, and game-changing voice-assisted navigation, JioHotstar has transformed how sports is experienced in India, delivering the biggest-ever ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, championing inclusivity with the Women’s Premier League, and setting new benchmarks with TATA IPL 2025.
Pushing the boundaries of livestreaming beyond sports, JioHotstar has transformed real-time events into shared cultural moments for millions. This was evident in the
electrifying Coldplay Music of the Spheres concert livestream and the spiritual spectacle of Mahashivratri: The Divine Night, which brought audiences closer to over 20 sacred Jyotirlinga aartis across India – blending technology, scale, and emotion like never before. JioHotstar’s unprecedented landmark of 100 million subscribers is more than a milestone—it reflects India’s digital revolution, the power of storytelling, and the future of streaming.
Talpa Studios has announced the first international sale of its heartfelt musical entertainment format 3 Minutes of Fame, to TV Globo in Brazil. The show offers a platform for hidden talents with beautiful voices who have never dared to step onto the stage. 3 Minutes of Fame is set to enrichTV Globo’s Sunday programming within their popular show Domingão com Huck. The production will take place in Rio de Janeiro at TV Globo’s facilities.
In its recent debut in the Netherlands, 3 Minutes of Fame wrapped up its first season in late December 2024, demonstrating fair audience figures. The average number of viewers per episode exceeded the time slot average, reflecting solid viewer engagement. 3 Minutes
of Fame is a format developed through a creative partnership between Spektr and Talpa Studios.
Sebastian van Barneveld, Director Global Distribution at Talpa Studios, shared his enthusiasm for the new venture, “We are thrilled to bring 3 Minutes of Fame to Brazil. This show not only provides a platform for extraordinary transformations, but also touches hearts with its inspiring stories. We anticipate that Brazilian talents will embrace this opportunity to shine, further enriching the show’s narrative of personal triumph and musical joy. The strategic approach to scheduling and producing formats, which is legendary and originated in Brazil’s esteemed entertainment industry, perfectly aligns with our vision for the show.”
Carolina Iacia, Head of Format Acquisition at Globo commented, “We are excited to conclude this very first deal with Talpa Studios, reinforcing our partnership. 3 Minutes of Fame celebrates heartfelt, inspiring stories that highlight the best in all of us, and we believe it will bring joy not only to hidden talents across Brazil but also to every household watching.”
Apple TV+ will now be available via Prime Video in India as an addon subscription. Available in India, Prime members who subscribe to Apple TV+ via Prime Video can stream exclusive shows and movies with new releases weekly. They can enjoy heartwarming comedies like Ted Lasso and Shrinking, thrilling dramas—from Severance and The Morning Show to Slow Horses and Disclaimer—as well as epic sci-fi like Silo, hit movies like Wolfs and The Gorge and much more. Apple
TV+ is now also available via Prime Video as an add-on subscription in the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and other territories in Europe and Latin America.
“Over the years, we’ve built Prime Video India as a first-stop entertainment destination offering a wide selection of premium programming including Indian and international Originals, movies and series on our service, and over 75,000 hours of additional content
selection across genres through 25+ Indian and international add-on subscription partners,” said Gaurav Bhasin, head of marketplace (add-on subscriptions and movie rentals), Prime Video, India. “We are now thrilled to welcome Apple TV+ and its stellar content to Prime Video’s extensive library in India. We are certain that Prime members in India will enjoy the easy access to Apple Originals with a simple add-on subscription, along with all the features of Prime Video, like convenient and streamlined content discovery, unified watchlists, and centralized billing.”
Apple TV+ joins Prime Video India’s extensive collection of addon subscription options such as Lionsgate Play, Discovery+, BBC Player, MGM+, Sony Pictures –Stream, Anime Times, Crunchyroll, Animax+GEM, CN Rewind, FanCode, Channel K, Chaupal, Hoichoi, Manorama Max, among others.
MwareTV, a leading cloudbased multi-tenant TV platform provider, has launched a ground-breaking new toolset at NAB 2025. The MwareAI Support Assistant extends the already powerful no-code App Builder, which creates consistent and feature-rich interfaces for all platforms, with useful and practical additions that make using the service even simpler.
The MwareAI Support Assistant is a cutting-edge, AI-powered tool that seamlessly integrates with the MwareTV platform, bringing intelligent support to subscribers across 16 supported platforms, including mobile devices, tablets, and popular TV apps including AndroidTV, FireTV, Samsung, LG, Vidaa and Titan. MwareAI can be accessed either by voice or by keyboard, and in multiple languages.
“Our development team have created something really remarkable, a suite of AI tools that elevate both backend systems and consumer-facing applications,” said Sander Kerstens, CEO of MwareTV. “This is not AI vapourware: this is real, practical, valuable new functionality that can be rolled out to boost efficiency and customer satisfaction right now.
“MwareAI Support Assistant empowers self-sufficiency for subscribers, giving them the confidence to resolve issues with no waiting for phone or email responses,” he said. “And it is more than just solving problems: it can drive growth for operators by giving subscribers direct control over their subscriptions and speeding purchases for upgrades, prompted by proactive, tailored marketing.”
Something Special, the Seoulbased international Format production agency founded by Format specialists Jin Woo Hwang (President & Executive Producer) and InSoon Kim (EVP & Head of Content), announced the company received major investment to expand. DAEKYO Investment is the lead investment capital, and SB Partners is the supporting capital. Both venture capitals
invest in the 5-year-old company, allowing for its next growth phase.
Something Special earned success with several format developments and productions, the latest production being the heartfelt Unforgettable Duet about dementia patients who are inspired to remember when singing favorite songs. The show first aired as a primetime special on MBN as one of the highest rated new unscripted show launches in 2024 and recently received a full commission for 10 episodes for 2025. Helium Pictures optioned the show in December 2024 for Australia and New Zealand. Something Special has also been known for the key provider of Korean formats, including Battle in the Box being optioned in 23 territories and Still Alive in 11 territories, noted as the best independent
format business operator in the nation. Additionally, in every year since the company’s launch, Something Special received two full grants from KOCCA to develop and produce Korean formats.
DAEKYO Investment is a venture capital firm catering to sectors such as venture startups, bio healthcare, ICT, cultural content, and education technology. Founded in 2011, the company is based in Seoul, South Korea with a mission is to apply business philosophies such as value, customer-, and outcome-oriented management.
SB Partners is a South Koreabased private investment firm, engaged in investments ranging from start-ups to mature businesses.
Bitmovin, a leading provider of video streaming solutions, announced its Multiview has been optimized to support low-latency streaming and advertisements. Bitmovin’s Multiview enhancements address the growing demand for sophisticated multiview functionalities.
Bitmovin’s Multiview provides a more compelling experience for audiences by enabling them to watch multiple streams simultaneously. Bitmovin’s Multiview is designed for use cases such as sports, esports, and live
events, where it’s advantageous to provide the audience with the option of staying immersed in the content they want by removing the need to flick between different channels.
Built on Bitmovin’s industry-leading Player SDKs, the new Multiview solutions support essential features like low latency and ad integration, addressing key challenges faced by streaming services. The new capabilities are designed to address the need for more engaging and interactive viewing experiences by ensuring
streams are delivered in the lowest latency possible while also supporting adverts. Bitmovin’s continued innovation in Multiview is shared by StreamAMG, Bitmovin’s customer and partner, in their ambitions to provide personalized experiences for fan engagement for live sporting events.
Bitmovin’s enhancements to Multiview include new demos and code samples that provide users with the tools and expertise required to deliver hyper-engaging experiences that push the boundaries of multiview streaming experiences beyond standard 2-way or 4-way layouts by offering innovative and interactive viewing options. Users can quickly implement Multiview with Bitmovin’s customizable code samples, built on their robust Player SDKs. This allows for rapid prototyping and tailoring to specific app user experiences.
Broadcast Solutions, one of Europe’s largest media systems integration groups, completed a news broadcast centre for CIBC Global in Azerbaijan. The centre supports a 24/7 English-language news channel, AnewZ, launched in time for the UN conference on climate change, COP29, hosted in Baku.
By far the biggest challenge for the project was the timescale. The initial approach to Broadcast Solutions Group, from technical and editorial consultants on behalf of CIBC Global, was made at the CABSAT exhibition in Dubai in late May 2024, with a completely immovable deadline of the opening of COP29 on 11 November.
At the time of the initial contact, CIBC Global did not even have a building ready for the new channel, nor staff, editorial policies and of course technology. From its Dubai facility, Broadcast Solutions took on every aspect of delivering the centre, from supervising civil
works, interior fit out, to training the staff on system operations. “Foremost in our minds was the time pressure on this project,” explains Rufat Hamzayev, executive director at AnewZ. “Not just in getting the system together, but also ensuring that operationally the staff were ready, given the eyes of the world were going to be on them on opening day.”
To streamline the design, fabrication and installation processes
Broadcast Solutions brought Master Media and LeClub to the project. Master Media handled the studios set decor design and set fabrication, while LeClub provided project governance and technical consulting services to help secure the delivery of the project on-time. “We gave Broadcast Solutions a massive challenge, to build a complete channel from scratch against an absolutely fixed deadline,” said Hamzayev. “They came up with a technical solution which delivered all the editorial control and creativity we needed, which is fully reliable and runs
WTFN, one of Australia’s leading independent production and distribution groups (Bondi Vet, Space Invaders, Emergency), announced that Empire Talent, initially established to represent television talent, has been rebranded and relaunched as Radar Talent.
Radar Talent will sit under Radar, WTFN’s rapidly growing digital
business, and will be a new-style agency focused on the representation and management of Australian and international content creators keen to grow their careers, especially on digital channels and platforms. Driven in part by changing market demand, the move also follows Empire’s strategy to add several new names to its roster who are leading the way in creating content for their own digital platforms. Radar, which has just celebrated its second anniversary, currently creates and manages more than 30 digital channels for the likes of YouTube and Facebook for owned brands such as Bondi Vet, as well as for third parties such as The Dog Whisperer. It has more than 12M followers, with +150M views each month.
on standard computers for ease of support. It is also completely intuitive to use and allows our operational teams to control our three studios from one central production room.
Laurent Mairet, managing partner of Broadcast Solutions Group, concluded, “This project proves that, through collaboration and teamwork, we can deliver a complete television channel, from nothing, in four months. We continue to work with AnewZ on a second phase, to introduce commercials to monetise the channel.”
Radar Talent plans to represent both established names and fresh and authentic content creators to manage and help develop them into the stars of tomorrow, working alongside Radar for maximum impact and revenues in the digital world.
While the focus is on creating digital opportunities, Radar Talent is a full-service talent management business that manages all facets of its clients’ careers, including broadcast and TV opportunities, paid social media collaborations, major brand ambassador roles, speaking and emcee bookings, book publishing deals, merchandise, eCommerce sales and more.
UK-based production company Honeybird Studios announced a new creative partnership model for content development and unveils the first roster of creative partners.
The creative partnerships foster development and production of co-owned unscripted formats – by combining forces to strengthen creative propositions, or creating new cross-genre collaborations. Honeybird Studios has partnered with:
• FilmNova, the premier live sport and documentary production company in the North East with output including the Great North Run and the Boat Race for BBC, Boxing and UK’s Strongest Man for Channel 5, and with documentariesincludingaforthcoming documentary on Torvill and Dean.
• ATS, the creators, producers and line managers of high-end games and challenges in reality and competition formats around the world including line production for Celebrity Bear Hunt and design and build of the Ninja Warrior obstacle courses.
• Gramafilm, the award-winning B Corp certified creative production studio based in London creating exceptional content for brands including Red Bull, McLaren and Google DeepMind.
• Tickled Pink, founded by the producer of Netflix’s The Kissing Booth, Andrew Cole Bulgin’s new production company has a strong track record in scripted entertainment.
• Claudia Guerretta, highly experienced casting and development executive previously in-house at Entertainment One UK.
• Ready Everybody a Torontobased format house founded by Fraser Isaac, unscripted TV and Development Producer with varied experience in fact ent and documentary.
Lisa Chapman founded Honeybird Studios in 2023, partnering with Managing Directors Derek Drennan and Stew Batt with the aim of making premium content from a North East base putting innovation, creativity, storytelling and people first.
The partnerships announced mark a significant step in Honeybird Studios’ growth as it continues to build a diverse and ambitious slate and pipeline of television projects across multiple genres, spanning entertainment, fact ent and reality.
All3Media International has signed a new scripted format deal in Asia, as a new local version of comedy drama Step Dave will be produced in Malaysia.
Sharply funny comedy drama Step Dave has been picked up by Malaysia’s leading content and entertainment company, Astro to be adapted into a Mandarin version. Originally produced by South Pacific Pictures for TV2 in New Zealand and already commissioned in five countries, Step Dave centres on a carefree 24-year-old bartender whose life is turned upside down when he falls for a sophisticated 39-year-old mother of three — can this unexpected love story defy the odds? Astro is set to air the Mandarinlanguage version of Step Dave later
this year. This new deal is the latest scripted format partnership between All3Media International and Astro following the platform’s recent adaptation of Two Brothers Pictures’ Liar. Astro’s Step Dave production, the sixth version of the drama, will be a ten-part series and is a production collaboration with the award-winning independent production company phoSumpro, based in Kuala Lumpur with 20 years of industry experience.
Step Dave joins a host of All3Media International’s scripted formats deals. With over 15 scripted formats commissioned in Asia, many of the adaptations are garnering acclaim and awards such as Kafas, the adaptation of The Forge’s Dark Money, recently winning ‘Best Scripted Format’ at C21’s
2024 International Format Awards, and ‘Best TV Format Adaptation (Scripted) at the 2024 ContentAsia Awards. In addition, several of the adaptations have travelled to many other countries such as Miss S, a Chinese adaptation for Tencent of the detective drama Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, aired across 29 territories including Canada, Australia, Japan and Korea and HBO in the US.
The Asia Pacific ’ s media industry is evolving at a rapid pace and Television Asia Plus is here to provide full coverage and an unbiased look at everything that is happening in the region.
Television Asia Plus embraces Asia Pacific ’ s vibrant broadcast, production, and distribution of content across Free TV, Pay-TV, OTT, short video, livestream and new media platforms We take a look at the trends, the current market, and the freshest news and information on what’s happening in the industry today
Our digital platforms comprising tva onscreenasia com an @TVAsiaPlus on FB, Twitter and LinkedIn cover the latest industry news and movements Meanwhile our print version is available as bonus distribution at all major trade events including HK Filmart, APOS, Mipcom Cannes and ATF.
In the market for over two decades, Television Asia Plus has been proven to be a reliable and reputable television content journal We reach 15,000 senior content professionals across Asia Pacifi c through our web, social media, e-newsletters and print products
WildBrain, a global leader in kids’ and family entertainment, has promoted Benjamin Bao to the newly created role of General Manager, WildBrain China, to drive further growth in the territory as part of the company’s overall APAC business. Bao was previously VP, Greater China for WildBrain CPLG, the company’s global licensing agency.
Bao will continue in his focus on accelerating the growth of WildBrain CPLG’s agency business in China, maximizing commercial opportunities in the country for both owned franchises and partner brands. He will also adopt an expanded remit to drive business opportunities in China across WildBrain’s 360° strategic pillars of Content Creation, Audience Engagement and Global Licensing, to accelerate the company’s next stage of growth in the region for iconic brands such as Peanuts, Teletubbies, In the Night Garden, Strawberry Shortcake and more.
Based in Shanghai, Bao will continue to report to Ben Peace, SVP Commercial, Asia-Pacific, MENA and India, WildBrain CPLG, for Global Licensing, while working closely with Maarten Weck, WildBrain’s EVP of Global Partnerships and Licensing, for WildBrain’s 360. Bao will also continue to work closely with Evi Sari, VP, Location-Based Entertainment, who leads WildBrain CPLG’s LBE business in China, reporting to Weck.
Maarten Weck, EVP of Global Partnerships and Licensing, WildBrain, said, “Both China and APAC are rapidly growing and exciting areas of opportunity for us, and we have always taken a bespoke approach to strategy and execution that works hand-in-hand with cultural nuance and local market dynamics. Ben Peace’s global vision and dynamic leadership for our overall APAC business, coupled with Benjamin’s wealth of local expertise and deep experience in the China market, makes for a highly complementary and effective duo to drive further growth across the region. We have big ambitions, and WildBrain’s 360-degree capabilities are vital to maximizing opportunities for our owned franchises and partner brands globally.”
Benjamin Bao, General Manager, WildBrain China, adds, “As we continue to focus on the growth of our business in China, I’m looking forward to building on
the incredible momentum we’re seeing across the entire Asia region. WildBrain’s 360-degree eco-system is a truly unique offering, and we’re committed to harnessing our capabilities to grow opportunities in China, underpinned by our team’s unparalleled local knowledge and expertise.”
Since expanding its presence across APAC to seven offices in 2022, WildBrain CPLG has generated significant activity in China for its portfolio of leading brands, including major Location-Based Entertainment projects for Peanuts, Teletubbies and In the Night Garden, as well as multiple consumer products collaborations for brands such as Peanuts, Spin Master’s Unicorn Academy and Vida the Vet, and PLAYMOBIL®, including hugely successful global retail partnerships with POP MART and MINISO.
Leading entertainment company CJ ENM has announced the appointment of Jung Hyun-joo, former CEO of the Korean film company ACEMAKER, as the new Head of Film Business Division with immediate effect. The key figure behind influential Korean films including Bong Joon-ho’s The Host, Jung will oversee the division to bolster the competitiveness of CJ ENM films.
Having over 20 years of experience producing, financing, and distributing successful titles, Jung previously led the production management and marketing of one of Korea’s highest-grossing films The Host, as the production team lead at Chungeorahm Film. She was also in charge of the Korean distribution of The Lord of the Rings, Shaolin Soccer, and Kill Bill, bringing more than 100 international films to Korea at TAEWON ENTERTAINMENT’s international acquisitions team.
Jung steered the wheel for production and investment of films with commercial success and critical acclaim during the 2010s, notably Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time, The Thieves, Inside Men, and A Taxi Driver, as the head of production and investment at SHOWBOX. While she was the CEO of ACEMAKER, she spearheaded investment and distribution for Noryang: Deadly Sea, The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil, and Black Money, and production of various series content for streaming platforms.
CJ ENM aspires to strengthen its film business and accelerate global leap through Jung’s appointment and her expertise in the industry.
MNC Software Inc., a global leader in network solutions, has announced the appointment of Darren Frearson as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. As part of this leadership transition, David Allen is now Chief Operating Officer, and James Bloomfield continues in his role as Chief Technology Officer.
Frearson has over 40 years of experience in the broadcast and media industry, having successfully led and grown numerous companies. Frearson’s appointment is a critical part of MNC Software’s strategic development and ambitious growth of the business.
“The team at MNC is dedicated to delivering industryleading monitoring and control software, along with cuttingedge asset management systems,” said David Allen, COO of MNC Software. “Our rapid growth necessitates the expansion of our leadership team, and Darren’s wealth of experience, strategic vision, and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to scale within the broadcast and media industry and explore adjacent vertical markets.”
Leveraging extensive expertise in multiple coding languages, MNC Software developed Mosaic, a premium monitoring and control software, and Tessera, an advanced asset management software. Both Mosaic and Tessera are designed to function seamlessly across multiple platforms and network systems.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the new role, Frearson added, “MNC Software has firmly established itself as a market leader in monitoring and control solutions, with asset management systems that set the benchmark for the broadcast industry. As the company continues to grow its customer base and expand its product offerings, I am honored to lead the team through this exciting phase of development and innovation.”
While continuing his role at MNC Software, Frearson will also maintain his position as Founder of International Sales Team.
3 Screen Solutions (3SS), leading provider of software solutions for set-top boxes (STB), smart TV, multiscreen and in-vehicle entertainment, has announced the appointment of James Twitchett as 3SS Head of Product.
In this newly created position, effective immediately, Twitchett will lead the company’s product strategy and roadmap. He will guide 3SS’ product vision, development, and growth, focusing on delivering cohesive, high-quality product and brand experiences across every stage of the customer journey.
Twitchett will shape 3SS’ entertainment ecosystem, embracing pay-TV/telco and automotive segments, which connects deeply with end users and meets the evolving needs of 3SS’ B2B partners worldwide. Twitchett will also spearhead the integration of AI across the company’s products, bringing a strategic view on leveraging this technology best to drive meaningful innovation.
Prior to joining 3SS, Twitchett worked with OTT solutions provider Deltatre for six years. He joined the company in 2018 as Product Programme Manager. He transformed the company’s workflows and productization strategy in his subsequent position of Director of Product Operations, Digital Streaming. Appointed Director of Product Management in 2019, he managed product strategy and operations for the company, recently enlarged through acquisition. He led multiple productfocused teams in a role that included product and solution definition, documentation, setting licensing strategy, and optimizing customer engagement.
“I am so excited to join 3SS, a pioneering technology innovator that has redefined what people can expect from their entertainment user experience,” said Twitchett. “I really look forward to working with service providers, both operators and those in the automotive space, and help deliver transformative services to consumers.”
“I look forward to building on my knowledge and understanding from the TV and entertainment space,
working with my 3SS colleagues to devise and deploy product-led business strategies, and also to opening new horizons for advanced entertainment in vehicles,” Twitchett added.
“James has a demonstrable depth of experience in delivering world class services to consumers,” said Pierre Donath, CPO & CMO at 3SS.
“With his proven commercial and technological expertise, and track record in product development and marketing, as well as his abiding commitment to delivering superior viewing experiences, we’re delighted to welcome James to the 3SS team,” Donath added.
Twitchett holds a BSc. Business Management from the University of Birmingham.
By Fanly Tanto, Country Director, Indonesia, Google Cloud
The aroma of kolak fills the air, mingling with the excited chatter of children. It’s almost Iftar, and the family gathers around the TV, eager to share a moment of connection before breaking their fast. This is bukber, a cherished Ramadan tradition. They seek a story that reflects their values – a romance interwoven with threads of tradition. But when the streaming service’s search bar yields “no results” after multiple attempts, the anticipation falters. That shared experience, meant to be a bridge between fasting and feasting, is delayed or denied that evening…
During Ramadan, video-on-demand viewership increases significantly. It peaks during Suhur, where individuals seek religious programs to set the tone for a day of fasting and prayer, and just before Iftar, where family-friendly programs are chosen to create a light-hearted atmosphere and spark conversation.
That frustration of failed searches, or the challenge of finding the right program for any occasion—even when you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for—is now a thing of the past, at least on Vidio.
The over-the-top (OTT) video streaming service by Indonesian conglomerate EMTEK Group has integrated Google Cloud’s generative AI-powered Vertex AI Search capabilities into its platform across TV, web, and mobile, making content discovery intuitive and seamless for millions of subscribers.
With AI accurately interpreting the ‘true intent’ behind a consumer’s query, non-specific searches like “Ramadan” will surface seasonally-appropriate content like Vidio’s second season of Santri Pilihan
Bunda on the first try, instead of leaving you to tediously scour through the entire catalog by hand.
Looking for a show that isn’t available on the platform? AI surfaces a personalized list of programs that are the ‘next best match.’ If you misspell a word or enter an incomplete query in Bahasa or English – especially common when using a connected TV’s remote control, AI still comprehends what you’re looking for.
“We’re committed to maximizing content relevancy, making it seamless for users to find what matters most anytime, on any device,” said Tommy Sullivan, Chief Technology Officer, Vidio “Since its deployment in 2024, Vertex AI Search has been a key part of optimizing the search experience, leading to increased content consumption. This Ramadan, it will continue to enhance content discovery in a way that helps our audiences remain focused on faith and family.”
Vidio’s content recommendations previously required a detailed, manual keyword tagging process. For example, if a popular superhero film was unavailable on the platform, staff had to meticulously add related keywords to other similar content for them to appear as alternatives. As trends shifted, they had to repeatedly update
tags to keep recommendations relevant—a laborintensive, time-consuming, and inefficient approach.
Vertex AI Search has fully transformed this process by automatically and continuously analyzing and organizing Vidio’s entire catalog, including new shows as they are added. For viewers, this means no more search-related limitations or guesswork.
Unlike traditional search engines that rely on literal keyword matches, Vertex AI Search employs semantic search. It considers the relationships between words, learns from your past searches, and deciphers the context behind your queries. This ‘human-like’ understanding allows it to supply hyper-relevant results, instantly satisfying your content cravings.
By combining AI with deep insights into viewership trends to make original and licensed content more discoverable, Vidio is enhancing user satisfaction and platform stickiness, ultimately leading to subscriber retention and sustained revenue growth.
Thanks to advanced, Google-quality search capabilities, the family gathered around the TV can now easily find and enjoy that romance series centered on traditional values, fostering silaturahmi
Whether it’s sharing a heartwarming drama before Iftar, catching a religious program during Suhur, or discovering a new favorite series after Lebaran, Vidio provides a smarter experience that connects subscribers with the content that matters to them. And that, perhaps, is yet another cause for celebration.
AI-powered search feature understands what you’re looking for, even when you use alternative spelling in different languages (e.g., “Ramadan” or “Ramadhan”)
With semantic search capabilities deciphering the context behind your query, non-specific searches like “ngabuburit” will surface highly-relevant, seasonally-appropriate content
Viddsee has unveiled a new strategic framework that integrates its creative, strategic, and technological capabilities into a unified storytelling ecosystem. This evolution goes far beyond a visual refreshit reflects a deliberate shift in how the company develops, delivers, and scales stories across Asia.
By aligning its original content development with fullfunnel marketing and platform innovation, Viddsee is
positioned to create culturally resonant narratives that not only connect with audiences, but also drive performanceacross branded campaigns and original IP alike.
“We’ve always believed in the power of story - but belief isn’t enough in this climate,” said Ho Jia Jian, CEO and Founder of Viddsee. “This evolution is about matching creativity with capability. It’s about building the systems, teams, and platforms to turn meaningful ideas into measurable impact.”
Viddsee
Viddsee Marketing is the company’s integrated marketing and advertising arm, offering full-funnel solutions that help brands connect with audiences through strategy, content, media, and performance. This includes everything from campaign planning and branded entertainment to influencer strategy, social content, and media activation - designed to drive results across Asia’s diverse digital landscape.
As part of this vertical, Nuggets by Viddsee is a social-first content offering that creates shortform, trend-responsive branded stories. Leveraging
Viddsee’s storytelling expertise and IP sensibility, Nuggets delivers high-impact content built for today’s fast-moving, mobile-first environment.
To accelerate this vertical, Viddsee welcomes several new hires including David Koh, Head of Strategy, Media & Content — a strategic leader with over 20 years of experience working with Samsung, Disney, Canon, and key government and education clients and Lawrence Hu, Associate Creative Director — an award-winning creative with a portfolio spanning Standard Charted Bank, American Express, IKEA, Singapore Airlines, and TURTLETREE.
Viddsee Originals is the creative heart of the company - where ideas are imagined, developed, and scaled into stories that shape culture. More than just an IP development hub, this pillar defines how Viddsee approaches storytelling across mediums, formats, and audiences.
Viddsee Reels is a key expression of this approach, built around the emerging genre of microentertainment. It brings together mobile-first audiences and Southeast Asian storytelling to test, scale, and deepen the emotional impact of microdramas all showcased through Viddsee’s platform, purposefully designed for the new era of storytelling.
“This integration changes how we approach story development,” said Kenny Png, Chief Content Officer at Viddsee, and an award-winning storyteller with over 20 years of experience across National Geographic, Discovery, Disney, Youku, Netflix, and more. “It’s no longer just about making contentit’s about designing stories with emotional clarity and strategic intent, from the very first idea.”
The brand and website refresh comes as Viddsee continues its expansion across Southeast Asia. By
aligning its offerings under a clear strategic framework, the company is doubling down on its role as a longterm creative and marketing partner - delivering culturally rich, performance-led storytelling at scale. With marketing veterans like Jay Murali leading operations in Malaysia, Venus Romsaitong growing our footprint in Thailand, and Lawrence and David now building our regionalmarketing muscle - we’re scaling with intent, and shaping culture through every story we tell.” said Christopher Cumming, Managing Director, Southeast Asia. “It’s not just about expansion. It’s about embedding strategic creativity into everything we do.”
Currently, international content still dominates the MENA region’s streaming catalogs. Fabric’s data shows that 34% of the most distributed titles in the region originate from the United States, followed by India (12%), the United Kingdom (8%), Canada (4%) and France (4%).
Analysis of top co-producing markets reveals that the United States, France, United Kingdom, Germany
and Belgium are the countries most actively engaging in co-productions with MENA nations.
The most widely distributed co-productions in MENA during 2024 reflect two key patterns. On one hand, major international titles like Dune: Part Two (2024) and Gladiator II (2024) showcase large-scale collaborations where MENA countries play a key role in location and production. These projects are available on global platforms such as OSN+ and STARZPLAY. On the other hand, a wave of Egyptian-led titles is emerging, positioning Egypt, alongside Saudi Arabia, as the leading country in terms of local production output in 2024. Productions such as Baba Geh (2024), The Alexandrian (2024) and Why Live It Solo? (2024), focused on drama, comedy and action, are co-distributed across both Shahid (regional) and Netflix (international) platforms, strengthening cross-market reach.
Among over 40 local streaming services operating in MENA, Shahid, owned by Saudi Government,
stands out as the platform with the strongest coproduction strategy. When comparing platforms with the highest volume of MENA co-productions, both international and local players are involved. While Shahid leads among local services, Netflix , STARZPLAY and OSN+ all international platforms, have also invested in or licensed MENA co-productions. A deeper look at the offerings reveals that 96% of Netflix’s catalog consists of foreign content; 4% of which features Arabic-language titles. While Shahid’s catalog contains almost 51% of local productions and co-productions.As MENA’s streaming landscape evolves, co-productions are becoming a strategic tool to boost regional relevance and global visibility. Egypt and Saudi Arabia are emerging as creative hubs, while platforms like Shahid and Netflix expand access to local narratives. The growing presence of both international collaborations and region-led titles signals a more balanced future for content distribution across MENA.
