Page 34 - SAMENA Trends - January 2022

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

in the Baltics and together we will provide
a major upgrade to the connectivity in
each country, providing our customers
with better speeds, reliability, and
coverage. Nokia has been a great partner
to us throughout previous generations of
mobile technology and we look forward to
continuing this partnership as we deploy
the next generation of infrastructure in
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.” Tommi
Uitto, President of Mobile Networks at
Nokia, stated: “We are delighted to extend
our long-standing partnership with Tele2
in the Baltics and take great pride in being
selected as their trusted 5G partner for this
important deployment. Our best-in-class
AirScale portfolio will deliver cutting-edge multiple markets and I look forward to and beyond.”
connectivity to their customers across working closely with them on this project

Viu Doubles Down on Original Productions For
Asia

Viu, PCCW's leading pan-regional OTT video streaming service, established and rising Thai stars alike headline a slew of local
looks towards the new year with more than 30 Viu Originals Viu Originals. WANNABE is a coming-of-age drama series and
currently slated for production. This builds on Viu's robust growth musical starring Chanon (Nonkul) Santinatornkul, the multi-
in 2021, which saw local and pan-regional original productions award-winning actor who will be making his vocal debut as a
rated highly on the platform. Ms. Marianne Lee, Chief of Content young rapper in the series. The star-studded cast includes guest
Acquisition & Development, Viu, said, "In 2022, we continue to crew member Sunny Day - Nay Mayo "Day" Thot of the hugely
build a strong pipeline of Viu Originals with strong local content in popular Thai rap group, Thaitanium. The demand for Thai dramas
Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia as well as pan- can be seen in other highly anticipated and refreshing titles lined
regional titles in Korean and Chinese that have established Viu's up for 2022 which will cover a range of genres such as romantic
reputation and presence in the market." Under Viu Original Studio, drama Finding the Rainbow, romantic comedy My Coach, thriller
headed by industry veteran Mr. Felix To, Chief of Viu Original, Viu Remember 15 and action series Real Fake. Viu-ers can also
is set to increase its focus on creating original content assets look forward to Viu Originals sci-fi comedy AI5YA, created by
and developing IPs with regional and global appeal. Over 30 new Malaysia's most beloved comedian Afdlin Shauk, and starring
productions will be released in 2022, which include returning Zizan Razak, who is one of Malaysia's popular comedians, and
seasons of popular shows like Close Friend in Thailand and Malaysian fantasy romantic comedy Seribu Nina, which will be
Assalamualaikum My Future Husband in Indonesia, and new local particularly appealing to Millennial and Gen Z audience. In the
originals including the Thai musical WANNABE and the much- first half of 2022 alone, Viu will also launch much-awaited Korean
awaited Korean Original Again My Life. Viu-ers can also expect Originals such as Again My Life starring Lee Joon-Gi, Lee Geung-
more original Chinese content lined up for the year, tapping on Young and Kim Ji-Eun, based on a web novel of the same title
the creative experience of Mr. To, with his track record in creating published on KakaoPage, and From Now On, Showtime starring
and producing many well-received Hong Kong dramas and variety famous actor Park Hae-Jin and Jin Ki-Joo, who has featured in
shows. His experience in developing original series will bring to The Secret Life of My Secretary and Come & Hug Me. The drama
Viu more distinctive Asian content for Asia. Mr. To said, "With an is also penned by writer Ha Yoon-Ah, who wrote the script for
original series release almost every month, we want to continue the fantasy-comedy drama Mystic Pop-up Bar (2020). Another
to delight users when they come to our platform. They will get upcoming Viu Original is Why Her? a romantic legal drama starring
a unique mix of Asian content, including more original Chinese popular actors Seo Hyun-Jin, known for her roles in Dr. Romantic
content. It will further cement Viu's leading position in the OTT and the Beauty Inside, and Hwang In-Yeop, who received attention
entertainment market." 2022 will continue to see popular local for his role in True Beauty.
talents helming Viu Originals. Thailand is one such market where

34 JANUARY 2022