Three Asian subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) operators have acquired content from FremantleMedia International (FMI), accumulating over a thousand titles between them.
Southeast Asian SVOD service iflix has acquired over 400 hours’ worth of drama, comedy, factual documentary and lifestyle content. Scripted series include drama Merlin, Blue starring the Julia Stiles, and British comedy The IT Crowd. FMI documentaries in the deal include Oliver Stone’s Untold History of the United States, and the CNN series The Sixties and The Seventies. In addition, iflix will stream a selection of cookery shows fronted by chef Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson, and the Hairy Bikers.
Meanwhile, Thailand-based VOD operator DOONEE has acquired almost 300 hours’ worth of entertainment and lifestyle programming including American Idol, Britain’s Got Talent and X Factor UK, Grand Designs, plus a selection of Jamie Oliver titles including Jamie and Jimmy’s Food Fight Club.
Streaming service iQiyi Taiwan has purchased over 350 hours’ worth of FMI content, including American Idol, Britain’s Got Talent, The X Factor UK, documentary series Soundbreaking and cookery shows from Lorraine Pascale and Jamie Oliver. Fashion is represented with Project Runway and Project Runway All Stars.
Haryaty Rahman, SVP of sales & distribution, Asia for FMI, commented: “The consumer viewing habits have completely changed in Asia and this ever evolving TV landscape has presented a lot of interesting and advantageous opportunities for us. Over the last few years, we’ve seen a year-on-year growth in our revenues from sales to OTT platforms and we’re expecting the percentage of deals to these partners to continue to rise.”