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
* Amazon.com Inc.'s Prime Video in Japan reached a deal with Home Box Office Inc. to offer roughly 50 original series such as "Game of Thrones," "Westworld" and "Silicon Valley" on its streaming service from April 1, Variety reported Jan. 31.
* Discovery Communications Inc.'s Discovery Networks struck a partnership to bring a range of channels and some of its content to Malaysian streaming service iflix Sdn. Bhd., according to a Jan. 30 announcement.
Content and carriage deals
* Football Federation Australia said Feb. 1 that the first season of its e-League can be streamed live on FOX SPORTS Australia Pty. Ltd.'s website. Fans can also watch e-League events through Twitch Interactive Inc.'s streaming platform Twitch.
* Netflix Inc. is partnering with Japanese anime studios Production I.G Inc., Wit Studios and Bones Inc. to co-produce anime series for streaming in 190 countries, Anime News Network reported Jan. 31.
* Hulu LLC will host the Nickelodeon linear streaming service in Japan, making the latter's content available through mobile and OTT platforms, Rapid TV News reported Jan. 30.
* Viu, an over-the-top video service owned by PCCW Media Ltd., entered into an agreement with South Korean cable broadcaster JTBC Co. Ltd to include more than 80% of the latter's drama series and variety shows in Viu's content catalog, according to a Jan. 30 news release.
* Balaji Telefilms Ltd. on Jan. 25 said that its over-the-top platform ALTBalaji entered into a partnership with Reliance Jio to make its original content available on the telco's Jio TV and Jio Cinema.
* CJ HelloVision, a cable broadcasting subsidiary of CJ O Shopping Co. Ltd., is integrating Netflix into its premium set-top box Hello TV UHD Red, ZDNet Korea reported Jan. 24.
* Eros International Plc announced Jan. 17 that its digital over-the-top platform Eros Now renewed its platform integration deal with Reliance Industries Ltd., making Eros Now service available to Reliance Jio subscribers.
Service launches
* SK Broadband launched Btv x NUGU, a new television set-top box equipped with SK Telecom Co. Ltd.'s artificial intelligence service NUGU, ET News reported Jan. 25.
* Iflix said Jan. 22 that it launched a dedicated children's channel. Iflix Kids will feature content from Time Warner Inc.'s Cartoon Network, and Viacom Inc.'s Nickelodeon and Nick Jr., as well as Walt Disney Co. and Pixar Animation Studios. Iflix also premiered its stand-up comedy original series "Oi! Jaga Lambe" in Indonesia, Bintang.com reported Jan. 19.
Other news
* The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is weighing a consultation process for the regulation of online video streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and STAR India Pvt. Ltd.'s Hotstar, Mint reported Feb. 1, citing two people familiar with the development.
* Iflix was said to be in talks with Baidu Inc.-owned iQiyi for a potential investment, The Edge Markets reported Jan. 29. A source familiar with the matter claimed that the investment included US$50 million of iflix's convertible notes subscription by iQiyi.
* Chinese live-video streaming startup Kuaishou is nearing the close of a US$1 billion funding round led by Tencent Holdings Ltd., Reuters reported Jan. 25, citing three people familiar with the matter. According to the report, Kuaishou is eyeing an expansion in overseas markets. A big chunk of the funding round proceeds will be used to finance outbound investment and deals. The company also plans to list in Hong Kong during the second half.
* Chinese video streaming sites iQiyi, Tencent Video and Youku disclosed that they cleared out violent, pornographic and other unsuitable content that utilized cartoon characters, Caixin reported Jan. 22. The companies have blocked relevant accounts and users uploading the content can be criminally liable.
* Times Internet Ltd., the internet subsidiary of The Times of India, acquired a majority stake in South Korean app MX Player for about US$200 million, The Ken reported Jan. 18. The investment is expected to help Times Internet to launch its over-the-top video service.
