21 April- C NTENTASIA 4 May 2014

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Subs love-fest nigh as ops face harsh pay-TV reality Asia Pac’s new net pay-TV adds the lowest since 2007, MPA says on eve of APOS 2014

Asia’s pay-TV industry gathers in Bali this week for the annual Asia Pacific Pay-TV Operators Summit (APOS) against a back- drop of drooping subscriber growth, warn- ings of looming “Television Darwinism”, and with a sharp focus on renewing consumer bonds across all platforms. “Television Darwinism will be coming to Asia Pac in force, even in ,” says Vivek Couto, executive director at APOS organisers, Media Partners Asia (MPA). “APOS 2014 will be all about how to make the retail bundle to the consumer more vital,” Couto said on the eve of the show, adding that key themes will “reflect the evolution of the broadcast and pay-TV industries, its triumphs and challenges with a keen eye on how the leading brands ...more on page 15

JUST SAYING... I’ve been com- ing to MipTV for a long time and people keep ask- ing me ‘Are you on TV or digital?’ All I can say is that I don’t give a sh*t. All I care about is the content.”

Shane Smith, Founder and CEO of multi-platform studio Vice

MipTV Wrap on page 7 contentasia 21 April-4 May 2014 Page 2.

Turner taps NBCUni’s Lee to head Asia-Pac programming Ricky Ow’s hand-picked team starts coming together

Turner International Asia Pacific has an- where she was director of programming 20 years of focus on the region’s kids and nounced the appointment of Marianne and acquisitions, and Sony Pictures Enter- news space and dabbling on entertain- Lee as vice president – content, general tainment Networks. ment fringes with TCM and truTV. entertainment. The widely expected ap- Lee also spent more than 10 This latest change in Turner’s pointment is effective from 2 May. years at ’s leading Asia landscape takes the Lee, who exited NBC Universal in Sin- free-TV broadcaster, Televi- regional general entertain- gapore last week, will “define and ex- sion Broadcasts Ltd (TVB). ment channel out of Singa- ecute content and channel strategy” for The addition of Lee to pore and into Turner’s Asia Turner’s general entertainment brands. Ow’s hand-picked Asia- HQ in Hong Kong. These include WarnerTV, the crown jewel Pacific team comes less than WarnerTV arrives at its of the new GE brands, along with “spe- a week after Turner confirmed new home at the top of cial interest” brands TCM Turner Classic WarnerTV’s long-rumoured shift entertainment ratings in Sin- Movies and truTV. from HBO Asia. Marianne Lee gapore and with an already con- Lee reports directly to Ricky Ow, presi- The WarnerTV move, effective immedi- firmed commitment to first-and-exclusive dent of Turner International Asia Pacific. ately, has been happening since the end series with short release windows. She shifts back to Hong Kong for the new of 2013 and gives Turner its first significant Turner isn’t planning to change Warn- role following Singapore-based stints at crack at Asia’s pan-regional general en- erTV’s branding and positioning for now, both Universal Networks International, tertainment audiences after more than the network said.

NEW LOOK. NEW PROGRAMMING. NEW EXPERIENCES.

WEEKDAYS 6a / WEEKDAYS 7a / WEEKDAYS 10a / WEEKDAYS 12p /

ADAM BAKHTIAR SUSAN LI BERNIE LO ORIEL MORRISON MARTIN SOONG CAROLIN ROTH SRI JEGARAJAH ANCHOR ANCHOR ANCHOR ANCHOR ANCHOR ANCHOR ANCHOR

BETTER THAN EVER. FAST, ACCURATE, ACTIONABLE AND UNBIASED BUSINESS NEWS. WATCH CNBC ASIA TODAY. new.cnbcasia.com contentasia 21 April-4 May 2014 Page 3.

HBO slashes Asia release windows Originals premiere within 24 hours from July

HBO Asia is squeezing Asia release win- dows for HBO and Cinemax Originals to from the horse's mouth less than 24 hours after U.S. airdates from July this year. The Singapore-based regional network said on the eve of APOS 2014 (23-24 April) in Bali that the new initiative would include Cinemax Original, The Knick, starring Clive Owen and directed by Steven Soderbergh. New seasons of Boardwalk Em- Jonathan Spink, HBO Asia (left); Boardwalk Empire season four pire, The Newsroom and Olive Kitter- (above) idge as well as the second season of HBO Latin American series The Profugos “By offering viewers legitimate will also air in Asia less than 24 hours after content in a timely and more convenient the U.S. from July. manner, we hope to be able to continue “Whilst this move is no silver bullet to to encourage viewers to support the fight combat piracy, it’s an on-going effort on against online piracy,” Spink said. our part to protect intellectual property, The latest move comes six months after industry, jobs and revenue,” said HBO HBO shortened Asia release dates to a Asia chief executive, Jonathan Spink. week after the U.S.

Measat-3b Celestial celebrates Jackie Chan birthday It doesn’t look like much to those not in the know... but for everyone else, this US$370-million package of hi- tech transported to Kourou in French Guiana this month – finally – is a hal- lelujah moment. Here’s why. In a word, Measat-3b means another 48 Ku-band trans- ponders worth of capacity at 91.5ºE over , , Indonesia and Australia. Most importantly, Malaysia’s dominant pay-TV platform, Astro, is taking about 18 of those. This means that talks with Astro will no longer be held under the pall of capacity scarcity. What it doesn’t

mean is that negotiations will be less Jackie Chan celebrated his 60th birthday with fans from around the world painful for those who don’t have what Astro wants, but at least there’s hope Celestial Tiger Entertainment’s latest con- The six winners – three from Indonesia for those who do. sumer stunt took winners of a “watch and (Indovision, Telkomvision, Skynindo sub- The countdown has begun for a May win” competition to to meet Chi- scribers) and three from Malaysia (Astro) – launch. Pray. nese superstar Jackie Chan and to attend and their guests were flown to the Chinese his Peace and Love birthday concert. capital for the event. 21 April-4 May page 4. contentasia 21 April-4 May 2014 Page 5. Lose Taiwan loosens up Yourself Rules& Taiwan’s regulators are looking at loosening up on monthly pay-TV Regulations rates to boost digital take-up for platforms who fulfil certain condi- To Find tions, such as 100% digital cable services. Local media are quoting the National Communications Commission (NCC) as saying that allowing cable ops to play with some of their rates will encourage Yourself platforms to up their digital service games. A la carte options are manda- tory by 2017. The current cable cap is NT$600/US$19.80 a month. Meanwhile, Media Partners Asia (MPA) says pay-TV growth in Taiwan in 2015-2016 will be flat. Resurrection stars in Asia ahead of Lifetime premiere Lifetime is bringing ABC drama Resurrection stars, Kurtwood Smith and Omar Epps, to Asia in May ahead of the U.S. series 12 May premiere on the channel. Resurrection, which premiered on ABC in the U.S. in March, airs on Mondays at 10pm. Epps (House, ER). stars as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent J. Martin Bel- lamy, whose desk-bound life is shaken up when he meets Jacob, a mystifying American boy who popped up from nowhere in the middle of rural . Smith (That Kurtwood 70’s Show, 24, Dead Poets Society) stars as the appar- Smith (above); ently content Henry Langston, whose dead son Jacob Omar reappears one day, 30 years after he died, along with Epps (right) a whole army of dead people. Fox makes David appointment official Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products has finally announced the appointment of Pinky David to head its first dedicated con- sumer products office in Asia. David joined the Singapore-based unit in January this year as vice president, Asia Pacific, from Dis- covery. The announcement was made by Fox Consumer Products executive vice president of global sales and retail, Roz Nowicki. David previously worked for Turner Broadcasting Asia Pacific in Hong Kong as Cartoon Net- works’ regional promotions licensing director. Sorting men from boys: History dudes A+E Networks is sorting the men from the boys in its new exclu- Data& sive “Asian Dude-ology” research. The global study, conducted 100% first run, fresh Research last year by Ipsos MediaCT in Asia, Europe, North/South Ameri- and exclusive original ca, shows that 76% of men in Asia place a greater importance programming on family than their career. “Career is only a means to the lifestyle they want for themselves and their families,” the study says. Men’s role within the household has also expanded; they are now more involved with their children, and actively participate in household matters such as groceries shopping. Three in four men in this region are grocery buyers and they also have a bigger say in large household purchases. The study also showed that men need a “man cave” because of their “expanded role and the challenges that come with it”. Participants were between 18-49 years old and already within the pay-TV universe. The study driver was providing History advertisers “with a deeper understanding of their target and an audience we know the channel delivers.” said ad sales head Charles Less. www.multichannelsasia.com

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Divisions narrow and gaps close at MipTV 2014 Asian programmers predict a vibrant Mipcom in October

The space between “tradition- executive, digital and branded Hong Kong’s new free-TV al” and “digital” content has entertainment, Keith Hindle, licenses are also driving narrowed even further and said Vice was “very suc- sales. “The recent the gap between what “mil- cessful in attracting the 18- free digital licenses lennials” want and what long- 34 demo in a way we can’t granted in Thai- established content creators/ on TV.” Most of the IP for the land and Hong distributors are giving them is new venture will come from Kong has seen a starting to be filled. Vice, but the two companies surge in content This much was obvious dur- are co-developing content requirements,” ing MipTV, which wrapped in and will share ad revenue. said Joanne Azzo- Cannes earlier this month with As the market got under way, pardi, Beyond Distri- 11,000 participants and about Asian participants said that bution’s vice president 4,000 buyers. while they expected Mipcom sales Australasia. Perhaps the market’s most in October to be much busier Free digital in Hong Kong delicious deal on multiple than Mip, diaries were full and and Thailand was a market levels was the tie up between acquisitions by lo- highlight for Passion Distribu- FremantleMedia and Vice cal and regional tion. Senior sales manager, Media on online venture broadcasters Nick Tanner, said he expected Munchies. The official line is in Asia were Clockwise from top: Mi- interest shown at MipTV to that the channel will combine steady. chael McKay, activeTV; increase “as competition Vice’s “inimitable style and T h a i l a n d Mikiko Nishiyama, Nip- for quality programming in- pon TV; Lanny Huang, approach” with Fremantle- topped Asia’s Playboy Plus; Hyeonza creases”. Media’s production capabil- buzz at the Hong, ITV Studios Global Online/digital platforms in ity and reach. market, with Entertainment emerging territories are be- Named after Vice’s flagship h o t a n d c o l d ing closely watched. “It’s food show, Munchies “will running digital terres- ness development. wonderful to see the steady offer a signature perspective trial buyers and programmers In addition to Thailand, NHK growth and development of on the intersection where hu- looking everywhere to fill the Enterprises’s Fumio Narashima, television and digital platforms mans and food connect and 24 new digital terrestrial (DTT) senior corporate officer, pro- in emerging territories,” says will provide an antidote to the channels scheduled to be up gramme sales and develop- Miramax executive vice presi- mounds of tired, anachronistic and running by mid-year. ment, international business dent, worldwide television, Joe celebrity chef and cook-off “What stood out was the group, said Sri Lanka’s digital Patrick. shows which simply do not en- high demand for content in initiatives were driving sales. Tanner also said new pan- gage millennial audiences”. Thailand, where digital terres- Booming economies in Viet- Asia channel launches and “This is food as pop cultural trial broadcasting just started,” nam and Malaysia had a rebrands “are opening up conversation,” Vice execs said Mikiko Nishiyama, Nippon positive impact on content opportunities for reality, para- said. FremantleMedia’s chief TV’s director, international busi- acquisitions, he added. ...more on page 8

3-5 September 2014 Grand Hyatt Singapore contentasiasummit.com contentasia 21 April-4 May 2014 Page 8.

from page 7: MipTV 2014 Star China operates three sat- he fun part of normal and family orientated ellite channels in China. watching new best programming”. At the same time, China’s T friends – FremantleMe- Lifestyle programming is on online platforms have a dia & Vice Media – play together in Asia the rise, driven by the explosion healthy appetite for foreign is going to be how broadcasters respond to in lifestyle networks and interest formats. ITV Studios Global En- seriously un-PC comments that seem to be in health and wellness, said tertainment’s SVP sales, Asia, a hallmark of the online world. Or at least, Raymond Donahue, Veria Liv- Hyeonza Hong, highlighted the part that is capturing young audienc- ing Worldwide’s SVP, program- interest from China’s online es who aren’t subscribing to pay-TV ser- ming sales. He reported steady VOD platforms in entertain- vices. One example: a throw-away line on growth in attendance at all ment formats. Eddie Huang’s travel/cooking show, Fresh markets and said countries Pricing is an issue and it’s off the Boat, commenting that Mongolians such as Malaysia, Singapore clear domestic Chinese buyers teach their children young how to “hunt” Joanne Azzopardi, and Hong Kong “are providing are cautious. “10% of formats Beyond Chinese with those kiddie archery strong opportunities for English- lessons. language programming”. Shorter windows on acquired It’s all about a screen eco- content continue to top rights system. It’s about bringing trends. “In many markets there TV along with us rather than is an increased demand to going back to TV. ” be as close as possible to U.S. air dates,” Miramax’s Patrick Eddy Moretti, Vice Media said. China’s growing involve- in China get a return on their dominate and ment in international content investment. It’s very risky for entertainment Mario Castro, Televisa has been a strong theme of us,” said Song Binghua, Youku formats are at an past markets. Formats seem to Tudou’s entertainment produc- all-time high in the be following factual, with ITV tion general manger. region, said Mario said, adding: “Then Studios Global Entertainment The need to work within the Castro, Televisa there are a couple picking up Star China’s home- rules runs alongside China’s Internacional’s who are intent on a Joe Patrick, Miramax grown format, Sing My Song push to acquire strategies director of Asia big and bold state- (see page 10). and knowledge from abroad. and Africa. ment formats, provided they can China’s domestic market, “Chinese companies are start- “We’ve seen increased garner advertising support”. In however, continues to be ing to seek collaborations with competition... but this is a nutshell? “Hedge your bets,” tightly controlled, with new overseas partners in the form of always good for broadcast- McKay said. regulations restricting prime- co-productions,” said Nippon ers and producers since it Passion’s Tanner has his eye time format acquisitions by TV’s Nishiyama. pushes content creators to on the celebrity-led reality trend satellite channels to a single Chinese broadcasters con- constantly innovate and developing in the Philippines. He title in 2014. This tighter envi- tinue to look for entertainment bring new, fresh, interesting said NBCUniversal’s It Takes Gutz ronment is driving co-devel- formats, with outdoor real- and creative ideas to the to be a Gutierrez “could pave opment options that should ity/factual a fast rising formats table,” he added. the way for a sea change in allow broadcasters and rights genre. The outdoor trend is ActiveTV president, format and finished tape oppor- holders to air new shows with- driven by breakout series, Michael McKay, noted the tunities locally and in the region out breaking current rules. Where Are We Going Dad?. lack of breakout formats as a whole”. Chinese players repeated Although the show is not par- during this year’s market. Televisa’s Castro says increased their support for the new regu- ticularly well produced, many “The free-to-air networks in interest in local or regional con- lations throughout the market, think the slew of copycats key markets are still going tent is possibly shifting buyers’ saying these were a good likely to follow will take the for it but I get the distinct interest to closer and more local idea because they would production industry out of big impression many of the pan- content markets. Demand is still force domestic innovation. shiny studio sets and drive up regionals are looking at very strong in certain territories “but The regulations were a “dis- experience of outdoor filming few big and expensive for- we’ve seen a shift of foreign pro- advantage for the channels and production. mats. I wouldn’t say they are ductions towards pay-TV as the but an advantage for produc- While the push for original going cheap and cheerful Asian market matures and their ers,” Star China’s Vivian Yin Asian formats continues, but they are certainly guard- own content gathers pace, mo- said. In addition to production, foreign formats continue to ing the purse strings,” McKay mentum and demand,” he said. BCA14AdW192xH250-3P.indd 1 15/4/14 2:08 PM 21 April-4 May page 9. contentasia 21 April-4 May 2014 Page 10.

New song for Star China China’s growing involvement in international content has been the C NTspaceENTASIA a strong theme of past MipTV/Mipcom markets. Formats are now J b following factual, with ITV Studios Global Entertainment picking the place to look for the jobs that matter up Star China’s home-grown format, Sing My Song. Star China says this is the first singing talent show format from RTL Group, the leading China to make it abroad. European Entertainment The talent format involves new original songs Network, and CBS Studios International, performed by their creators. Sing My Song the leading supplier of premiered in January 2014 on CCTV-3, programming to the international television marketplace, which airs season two in September. have partnered together and launched two pan Asian Star China’s Vivian Yin calls China’s channels. The two channels broadcast in pool of singer-songwriters “untapped” English and are subtitled into local languages. They will be and says the format’s strength is that it distributed in up to 29 Asian markets including Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, “does not blur the lines with confusing cri- Thailand and Vietnam. teria”. Celebrity singer-songwriters are judges Vivian Yin and album producers for the series, which closes Promo Producer to be based in Singapore with four new original albums. Sing My Song follows Star China’s success with The Voice of • You should be meticulous, organized, and able to China. “We’ve accumulated enough experience to localise the turnaround projects quickly, multi-task, and hit deadlines • You will be able to introduce your own concepts, from conception to final on air delivery - writing, editing and For a long period China was basic graphics • You should have a wealth of creative experience and famous for rip-offs and plagia- a good eye for what makes a compelling and attention- rism. Then we were famous for grabbing promo blindly grabbing formats from the rest Experience Required of the world. Sing My Song is a land- • Minimum 3 yrs of relevant promo producing work mark for us. ” experience with pan Asian broadcaster (Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Vivian Yin, Star China Thailand etc.) • Proficiency in FCP required • Ability to generate original ideas for promotions world’s most famous formats in China. It’s about time for us to be and larger 360 promotional campaigns across multiple creative and involved in the international market in a different platforms way,” Yin says. • Able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines. She’s not pretending creating Sing My Song was easy. “We had more than 15 versions of the show… we wanted something Knowledge and Skills unique,” she says. Sponsorship, on the other hand, was a whole • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to communicate with staff at all levels, located within lot easier, she adds. office and at satellite offices across Asia and Europe. The challenge now is maintaining quality in the face of brutal • Proven track record within the on air TV promotions competition and broadcaster demands for quick turnarounds. industry “Chinese broadcasters are less patient in terms of development • Proficient with computers and office software (FCP, After than in the West,” she says. Without the option of steady devel- Effects, Smoke, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) opment, a pilot and testing, “we have to make sure everything is • Passion for TV and media • Creative, proactive personality right before we launch”. Star China worked on Sing My Song for • Strong attention to detail nine months, with three months of intensive development before • Desire to learn the show’s debut on CCTV-3. What does the ITV deal mean for Star China, once part of Ru- Please send your CV and a link to your showreel to pert Murdoch’s News Corp empire? “The Chinese role has al- [email protected] with current salary. ways been as a buyer,” Yin says. “For a long period China was fa- mous for rip-offs and plagiarism. Then we were famous for blindly grabbing formats from the rest of the world. Sing My Song is a landmark for us,” she adds. contentasia 21 April-4 May 2014 Page 11.

Who was at... HBO Asia’s party at PCTA 2014 in Manila

Jonathan Spink, HBO Asia; Arnel Merilleno, Peter Yee, Cable Boss; Jacelyn Kek, HBO Asia; Magdalene Ew, HBO Asia; Theresa Ong, Discovery; Cablelink Pompeyo Abergas, Talavera Cable Edric Dy, Cable Boss

Victoriano Sy, Marbel Cable; Joel Dabao, Steve Burton, HBO Asia Ralph Caseño, Southern Vilia Chia, HBO Asia; Donnie Gonzales, MindShare Kabankalan Cable; Engr. Romy Zerrudo, Zenergy Cablevision Cable

Jaja Suarez, Jon Arayata, Gidgette Faustino, Jude Tim Bautista, Cable Boss; Avi Himatsinghani, Rewind Arlene Torres, Alan Supnet, SkyCable Pambid, SkyCable Networks

Alvin Ebrada, James Dumlao, Chie Yu, SkyCable Bryan Krishnan, HBO Asia; Alvin Ebrada, Lito Mapolon, Danny Ang, HBO Asia; Mico Marco, SkyCable Jojo Javillionar, SkyCable contentasia formats 21 April-4 May 2014 Page 12.

ContentAsia’s regular section, ContentAsia Formats, looks at formats and format development in Asia, including new seasons, series and trends and what these mean to channels, producers and the overall formats industry in the region.

The Genius Game

Social reality game show format, The Genius Game, is planning to return to CJ E&M’s general entertainment channel tvN in the fourth quarter of 2014. Developed by the tvN production team, The Genius Game features 13 players pitted against one another in a battle of wits over 12 episodes. This third season features 12 new strategic games. Each episode includes a main match and a death match, with one player eliminated every week. The contestant with the lowest score in the main match is The Genius Game relegated to the death match, and must pick an opponent to compete against. Hwang says, describing the format as among prime-time pay-TV programmes. The main match winner and his or her ally “an innovative hybrid genre show, which The greatest challenge was ensuring is exempt from selection. The winner of the has the structure of a game show but that these games presented the right death match takes the “garnet” (virtual consequences of a survival reality show.” level of difficulties for the contestants currency) of his or her opponent, who is The Genius Game’s distinguishing feature throughout the show. eliminated. The ultimate winner cashes in is “the unique demand on contestants to The games were primarily inspired by the garnets. utilise their ‘sociability’ and ‘wit’ in order board games, cartoons and social issues, In past seasons, The Genius Game has to win”. and the format had the longest pre-pro- invited a magician, poker champion, Ratings for the first two seasons were duction time for an entertainment show billiard player, pro-gamer, hacker, math- consistently high. Both seasons ranked in Korea. Hwang says this was due to the ematician, news anchor, politician, music number one in their prime-time slots need for attention to detail and unique- producer and K-pop idol star. among adults aged 20-49. Season one ness. “It was important to get the level of Targeting the 20-49 age group, the (26 April 2013 to 12 July 2013, Fridays difficulty right so creator/producer Jeong format was created during Korea’s 2012 11.30pm-12.30am) had a 10.2% TV rating Jong-Yeon ran multiple tests before cre- elections, says CJ E&M’s Jin Woo Hwang, share. Season two (7 December 2013 to ating each game and adjusted accord- senior manager of content R&D. 22 February 2014, Saturdays at 10.50pm- ingly. After the initial testing, we held two The election meant that “in real life, 11.50pm) had a 18.9% TV rating share simulations filming with college student people were witnessing the art of social (38% share in the male/female 20-30 years volunteers,” Hwang added. relationship management every day. old age group). CJ E&M says season two The ultimate aim is to bring the pro- This is where we got the idea of creat- recorded the highest ATS (Average Time gramme to the glo- ing a new type of social reality show,” Spent) with 42 minutes and 48 seconds, bal market.

FORMATS at the ContentAsia Summit 2014 September 2014. Grand Hyatt, Singapore. Be included. Contact CJ at [email protected] contentasia 21 April-4 May 2014 Page 13.

PlatformHulu Japan

The aim... Nippon TV hopes to “develop Hulu into the leading subscription video on demand (SVOD) platform in Japan, and that Hulu will become known not as ‘Nippon TV’s Hulu’, but as ‘Japan’s Hulu’ where users come to watch high-quality content when and where they want. In addition to terrestrial broadcasting and BS/CS broadcasting, Nippon TV will max- imise content value by acquiring a path to deliver content through the internet, responding to users’ preferences”.

In a regular section looking at online & OTT platforms in Asia, Malena The biggest challenge… “Subscription Amzah speaks to Japanese broadcaster, Nippon TV, which has just VOD is still a new business model in Ja- bought Hulu Japan. pan, where terrestrial television is free of charge and viewers are used to watching What is Hulu Japan? Hulu Japan is an on- Rates... ¥933/US$9 a month premium content for free. It is a challenge line video service with unlimited access to get these television viewers to subscribe to over 13,000 premium programmes on Who’s in charge Buddy Marini, chief and pay a monthly fee for the content multiple devices, including PCs, TVs, tab- executive officer of HJ Holdings, which they watch. This has been a challenge so lets, smartphones and gaming consoles. operates the Hulu service in Japan far and it is still a challenge.” Premium content includes, but is not limited to, Hollywood films and TV shows, The offering... More than 13,000 assets of Total number of internet-connected de- Japanese films and TV shows, anime and premium video content from Hollywood, vices (tablet/smartphone/TV): 90 million documentaries. Content is geo-blocked Japan and other countries. Hulu added devices (PCs not included) for Japan. Nippon TV dramas and animation from 1 April 2014, and plans to add more. Content Most-watched titles... “Hulu users watch Launched in... September 2011 by Hulu, includes dramas such as I’m Mita, Your various genres of content, not only Hol- LLC out of the U.S. Hulu’s Japan business Housekeeper, My Little Nightmare; and lywood TV series and films, but also Japa- was acquired by Nippon TV in 2014. Fi- animation series La corda d’Oro – Blue Sky nese TV series, films and anime.” nancial details were not disclosed. and The World is Still Beautiful. There’s no set number of new titles a month but the The biggest surprise on usage “It was not Target users... In the past two and a half plan is to add more and more. a surprise, but we are very happy that years, the main target has been fans of subscribers have been watching Hulu on Hollywood films and television series. The What rights do you buy... Varies from title multiple devices.” plan is to include families, kids and other to title, including first/exclusive content age groups by expanding content, in- Social media Uses Twitter and Face- cluding local programmes. Will Hulu live-stream Nippon TV? Under book consideration, but no definite plan right Subscribers/registered users... Not dis- now Priorities for the next six months… “High closed, but Hulu in Japan ended the quality content is the key… [we] plan 2013 fiscal year with more than double Any major post-acquisition changes? to add more content to the lineup for a the number of subscribers from the be- The major change is adding Nippon TV’s wider range of users.” ginning of the year popular titles from 1 April this year. contentasia 21 April-4 May 2014 Page 14.

Interviewproduction

Ng Say Yong Managing Director, mm2 entertainment

Looking back, would you do anything different on your movie, My Dog Dou Most view- Dou? “First of all, I would have made the ers go to the movie a comedy instead of drama. One movies to be of the hard lessons I learned in making My entertained, and Dog Dou Dou is that most viewers go to the movies to be entertained, and they they see comedy as see comedy as entertainment, but not entertainment, but drama, unless it’s spiced with big stars or not drama unless it’s action. And I would have used a comedic spiced with big stars or actor to play the lead role, someone like Mark Lee. Finally, I wouldn’t call it My Dog action.” Dou Dou. The original title, Give Me Four Numbers, would have been more appeal- ing. There are lots of other things I would have done differently, but these are the main ones.” come cheap. Participating in festivals to work with partners to break into the also creates buzz and noise if the movie regional market.” You said whether a movie can find an wins awards. However, they don’t usually audience and make money depends on translate into box office performance. What would you like to see more of in getting things right – “good story, strong Finally, co-producing with regional play- the future? “Obviously we’d like to see characters, with professional technical ers widens market focus, but that comes more and better movies made, not only and production values”. Do you still feel with its own challenges. At the end of the for Singapore (which is limiting), but for the same way? “I do, because these are day, we need to network and build long- the region and beyond. We’d like to basic to cinematic storytelling. However, term relationships with regional players see a significant upgrade in our talent the moneymaking part is more complex and partners. That’s why mm2 maintains pool – producers, directors, scriptwriters, and unpredictable. Even if we get the ba- its presence by setting up regional offices musicians, storytellers, photographers, sics right – good story, strong characters, and staying in close contact with our net- technical crew. Ultimately, we’d like to professional technical and production work of partners and friends.” see Singapore movie-makers and com- values – it doesn’t mean a movie is guar- panies soaring to make their presence felt anteed to make money. If that’s so, we’d Do collaborations with foreign filmmak- in regional and international markets. That have mortgaged our houses and put all ers improve the export potential of local means not needing to restrict ourselves to the money into our own movies and not films? “Yes, but only if producers can over- making movies in Singapore alone, but needed to source outside investors. Timing come the many challenges that come utilising the best talent we can find, and is important, so are marketing and distribu- with co-productions, such as budgetary making movies anywhere in the world.” tion. And of course, luck. Lots of it.” discrepancies, linguistic and cultural dif- ferences, etc. mm2 has collaborated, and How can a film receive enough leverage will continue to collaborate, with regional and coverage within the region? “The partners, but not necessarily only on local most obvious and direct approach is to films. For example, we’ve participated * Ng Say Yong will be speaking at this cast stars with regional appeal. They gen- in a China movie, The Voice, and will be year’s Creative Content Production Con- ference, which runs in Singapore from erate immediate recognition and interests shooting a movie in Hong Kong in June. 18-19 June alongside BroadcastAsia and from the regional media. But they don’t We’re always looking for different ways CommunicAsia. contentasia 21 April-4 May 2014 Page 15.

from page 1: APOS Dhoot and Hathway director Viren Raheja in media and telecoms can renew their will talk about how the industry maximises consumer bonds in the context of both this from a revenue perspective. C NTENTASIA broadband and mobility as well as the vital MPA says platform profitability remains ro- Editorial Director traditional ecosystem,” he added. bust at Malaysia’s dominant platform Astro, Janine Stein MPA’s latest annual research report, which generates the largest amount of free Assistant Editor which comes out at end May, shows cash in Southeast Asia, while MNC Sky Vision Malena Amzah the entire Asia-Pacific pay-TV ecosystem is also gaining operating leverage and will [email protected] added 26 million net new customers in turn free cash flow positive this year. Production Manager Three markets with CJ Yong significant deal activ- [email protected] Thailand is emerging as a ity over the next 12-24 Editorial Research major concern for the pay-TV months are Thailand, Aqilah Yunus ecosystem as leading plat- Korea and India. [email protected] forms fail to execute and the growth of Mobile and broad- Research Assistant Yogeswary Gunasagaran band will be an im- free TV and free satellite as well as the [email protected] portant catalyst to advent of DTT promises to reshape the Design entire television ecosystem. ” change, MPA says. Rae Yong ‘TV everywhere’ cus- tomers reached four Vivek Couto, Media Partners Asia (MPA) Associate Publisher million in 2013 and will (Americas, Europe) and VP, 2013, the lowest since 2007. grow to 15 million by 2018 but in broad- International Business Development This reflects marked deceleration in band total subs reached 575 million in 2013 Leah Gordon China and India as well as softer growth in and will swell to almost a billion by 2018. [email protected] Southeast Asia (1.9 million net adds vs 3.7 MPA says this reflects the “huge role of Sales and Marketing (Asia) million in 2013), especially Thailand, which mobile, which will have more than 50% Masliana Masron [email protected] was the big weak link in Southeast Asia. market share”. As a result, platforms and Net new additions will accelerate in Asia content providers will be also trying to fig- To receive your regular free copy of Pacific over 2015-16, “largely due to some ure out how to “move beyond authentica- ContentAsia, please email gains in India associated with the next, de- tion with a viable economic model without [email protected] layed phase of digitalisation but the general killing the golden goose – in other words trend is one of deceleration,” Couto says. embrace OTT as an aggressive measure Published fortnightly by: Adjusted for multiple subscriptions, MPA without killing the pay-TV bundle”. Pencil Media Pte Ltd analysis indicates that pay-TV penetration “Much of APOS 2014 will be devoted how 730A Geylang Road will grow from 52% in 2013 to 60% by 2018. we as an industry capture the remaining Singapore 389641 There will be upside in penetration in 48% of TV homes that do not have pay-TV Tel: +65 6846-5987 Indonesia but not as much as before as today. Much of that will mean confronting contentasia.tv asiacontentwatch.com platforms continue to consolidate. “It’s what we have not done as an industry in clear that the marketplace is now de- terms of execution, marketing (platforms/ Copyright 2014 Pencil Media Pte veloping around three groups, with the channels)... the reality of platform and Ltd. All Rights Reserved. market leader having 73% market share,” channel consolidation will be discussed in MICA (P) 111/06/2013 Couto says, adding that there will also be mature markets and pan-Asia, as will the significant growth in Malaysia. potential construction of wholesale chan- Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and Tai- nel bouquets between global groups to wan will be flat. Growth in Vietnam will be compete and balance the growing power incremental. Australia’s growth will largely of local platforms,” Couto says. C NTENTasia be anchored to IPTV, as will China’s. At the same time, he adds that “chan- Daily news with In India, pay-TV homes will grow from nels that do not have compelling con- 135 million in 2013 to 165 million by 2018 sumer proposition across linear and ContentAsia Insider and 55% of pay-TV homes by 2018 will be non-linear conversations, will not have a email [email protected] digitised. At APOS, Star India head Uday long-term future on the pay-TV dial in any for subscription details Shankar, Videocon Group director Suarabh of the key markets.