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.

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.
Singapore-based global streaming platform Viki.com has acquired Korean fan community site Soompi from Crunchyroll.
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.
Start-up industry organisation Japan Contents Group (JCG) is planning to launch video streaming platform Bonobo.
Singapore-based streaming platform Viki.com has signed a multi-year content deal with Beijing-based Huala Baina Film & TV (HBN).
Fox International Channels (FIC) is teaming with major platforms including Japan’s Avex and China’s Tencent to launch an OTT service across Asia.
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.
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.
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.
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.