As Netflix and Amazon Prime Video launch their assault on Japan, they may find their biggest battle is not with each other, but with domestic competitors and the idiosyncrasies of the Japanese market.
Category: KOREA & JAPAN
Viki acquires Korean fan site Soompi
Singapore-based global streaming platform Viki.com has acquired Korean fan community site Soompi from Crunchyroll.
DramaFever signs distribution deal with CJ E&M
US-based streaming service DramaFever has signed a multi-year deal with Korean powerhouse CJ E&M for exclusive rights to a package of Korean TV series and movies.
Japan Contents Group to launch streaming platform
Start-up industry organisation Japan Contents Group (JCG) is planning to launch video streaming platform Bonobo.
Viki seals content deal with Huala Baina
Singapore-based streaming platform Viki.com has signed a multi-year content deal with Beijing-based Huala Baina Film & TV (HBN).
Fox International Channels to launch Asia OTT service
Fox International Channels (FIC) is teaming with major platforms including Japan’s Avex and China’s Tencent to launch an OTT service across Asia.
Softbank launches a la carte streaming service
Japan’s SoftBank is launching a TV streaming service that will allow subscribers to view the pay-TV channels of their choice across multiple devices.
Khara, Dwango launch anime shorts series
Japan’s Dwango and Studio Khara are launching Animator Expo, a weekly series of anime shorts, which aims to introduce new animation talent to global audiences.
Japan’s Softbank to acquire DramaFever
Fresh from its deal to invest in Legendary Entertainment, Japan’s Softbank is buying video service DramaFever, which streams TV shows and movies from around the globe.
Equity crowdfunding still on the starting blocks
UK director Simon West says he is using equity crowdfunding for $10m action comedy Salty, but speakers at last week’s Asian Film Market explained this form of film financing still faces regulatory hurdles around the world.