In this biweekly Asia video spotlight feature, S&P Global Market Intelligence provides a roundup of news related to over-the-top, video-on-demand and other online video initiatives in different Asian markets.
Top news
* China's iQiyi is developing an original animation series for children alongside Nickelodeon's Asian unit, TBI Vision reported Aug. 1. "Deer Run" will be produced by iQiyi and Zhejiang Satellite Television and distributed by Nickelodeon Asia parent Viacom International Media Networks.
* South Korea's three largest broadcasters — Korea Broadcasting System, Munhwa Broadcasting Corp. and Seoul Broadcasting System — have jointly launched video-streaming platform Kocowa in the U.S. Kocowa will offer U.S. audiences access to a lineup of translated South Korean TV programs from all three networks within six hours of their local broadcast.
Content and carriage deals
* Nine Entertain by Thai telco MCOT Public Co. Ltd. signed a deal with LINE TV (Thailand) to produce and air an exclusive news program on LINE TV, Krungthep Turakij reported July 31.
* "Romper Stomper," the iconic Australian neo-Nazi-themed film, will be turned into a six-part miniseries for Australian streaming service Stan, The Sydney Morning Herald reported July 31.
* Amazon.com Inc.'s Prime Video secured first-look rights to Salman Khan movies, allowing the streaming platform to exclusively premiere all of the Bollywood star's upcoming films shortly after their theatrical release, Television Post reported July 31.
* Australia's SBS and New Zealand's Lightbox picked up broadcasting and streaming rights to the ITV Plc drama "Harlots." SBS also secured "Spin" and "Beautiful Loser" from French producer Tetra Media Studio, while BBC Worldwide Australia Pty. Ltd. inked a deal for "Victoria," "The Moorside" and "Mum," to be aired on BBC First, C21 reported July 27.
* CJ E&M's tvN Movies will be accessible to Astro GO and Astro TV subscribers in Malaysia starting Aug. 1, World Screen reported July 26.
* Balaji Telefilms Ltd.'s streaming platform ALT Balaji Digital Media Entertainment Ltd. is expanding its regional footprint with an original Bengali series called "Dhimaner Dinkaal," Rapid TV News reported July 25. This is ALTBalaji's second regional web series, with the company planning to launch 32 shows across multiple genres.
* FOXTEL acquired the Australian rights to the SundanceTV (US) show "Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter," C21 Media reported July 24.
* Hong Kong-based PCCW Media Ltd. said July 21 that its OTT platform Viu has partnered with tvN Movies and Now Baogu Movies on Demand, a joint initiative among Now TV, EDKO Film Ltd. and Huayi Brothers Media Corp., to expand its content catalog with a selection of Asian movies.
* SPORTSFIX, a Southeast Asia-focused over-the-top live streaming sports platform, obtained rights to the Chinese Super League in Malaysia, according to a July 21 news release.
* Amazon Prime Video secured the U.S. rights to Foxtel drama "Picnic At Hanging Rock," The Hollywood Reporter wrote July 21.
* Telekom Malaysia will add Viacom Inc. channels such as Paramount Channel, MTV Asia and Nickelodeon to its internet protocol TV service HyppTV, World Screen reported July 20.
* iflix premiered comedy series "Oi! Jaga Mulut," its first original production in Malaysia, World Screen reported July 25.
* LG Corp.'s LG Uplus Corp. created a new home media unit that will focus on IPTV, internet phones and high-speed internet businesses, Yonhap News Agency reported Aug. 1.