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
* The South Korean government is conducting a review of streaming platforms such as YouTube LLC and Netflix Inc., to determine if they should be subject to certain taxes, The Korea Herald reported. Meanwhile, telecom regulators of the ASEAN member states have agreed that over-the-top content providers should be charged for using national internet resources, but they are yet to decide on how this should be done, Krungthep Turakij reported. The consensus was formed during the 25th ASEAN Telecommunication Regulator's Council meeting.
* Chinese video streaming service iQIYI Inc. joined forces with Jakarta-based PT. Media Nusantara Citra Tbk, or MNC, to form a joint venture to operate an over-the-top platform in Indonesia, KrASIA reported. The two companies will merge their content libraries and co-produce original content.
* The Korea Fair Trade Commission conditionally approved the merger of SK Telecom Co. Ltd.'s mobile media platform Oksusu with video service POOQ, which is jointly operated by Munhwa Broadcasting Corp., Seoul Broadcasting System and Korean Broadcasting System, Digital Daily reported. The combination will see the creation of Wavve, an over-the-top service launching in September.
Content and carriage deals
* SINA Corp.'s Sina Weibo entered a partnership with Youku Tudou Inc. to build a content sharing platform, Sina reported. The two companies will share content and improve the platform's interface for easier sharing of content on both sites.
* Eros International PLC's entertainment streaming platform Eros Now entered a partnership with Vodafone Qatar under which subscribers of the telco will have access to Eros Now's library, comprising films, original series and music. Eros Now is also teaming up with China's Wasu Media Holding Co. Ltd. to deliver Bollywood and original Indian content to Chinese digital customers.
* Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Ltd.'s Stan struck a multiyear agreement with Paramount Pictures Corp. that will give the video streaming platform exclusive rights in Australia to the Viacom Inc.-owned studio's blockbuster films and upcoming TV series. Paramount Television's "Looking For Alaska" will be the first series to launch, premiering exclusively on Stan in Australia on Oct. 19.
* Beijing ByteDance Technology Co. Ltd.-owned video app TikTok will collaborate with Germany-based influencer marketing agency WeQ Influencers, Horizont reported. The partnership will allow advertisers to launch influencer marketing campaigns on the video platform.
* YY Inc. entered a partnership with Beijing-based music company YueHua Entertainment Co. Ltd. Under the agreement, Yuehua's singers will open livestreaming channels on YY, while YY will provide traffic and resources.
* CBS Corp.-owned Network Ten Pty. Ltd. announced it will extend its content partnership with Facebook Inc., a deal that will see the Australian broadcaster producing more exclusive and original social content.
Service launches
* Lionsgate Play is launching in India through a partnership between Vodafone Idea Ltd. and Starzplay, the subscription platform of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. subsidiary Starz, Advanced Television reported. Lionsgate Play, which will offer Lionsgate titles such as "The Hunger Games" and "La La Land," will be available to Vodafone Play and Idea Movies & TV subscribers.
* Walt Disney Co. will launch its direct-to-consumer service Disney+ in Australia and New Zealand on Nov. 19. For Australians, Disney + will cost A$8.99 per month or A$89.99 per year, while the New Zealand offering will be available for NZ$9.99 per month or NZ$99.99 annually.
Other news
* Australia will set up a 24/7 Crisis Coordination Center to monitor online activities and weed out extremist content, Reuters reported. The country plans to block access to internet domains hosting terrorist material during crisis events and will consider legislation to force digital platforms to improve the safety of their services.
* Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. will stop running its Samsung Video platform in China from Dec. 31, 36Kr reported. All existing users of Samsung Video will be asked to move to Baidu Inc.'s iQIYI.
* Indian video and image-sharing app ShareChat secured US$100 million in a series D funding round led by Twitter Inc., TechCrunch.com reported, citing a company statement.
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