Europe
MIPTV 2015: Mr Sarandos Goes To Cannes
Move over Harvey Weinstein; one of the most courted and controversial figures on the Croisette this year was none other than Netflix’s content chief Ted Sarandos.
Liz Shackleton
Chinese-Speaking Markets
Alibaba Acquires Cinema Ticketing Company
Alibaba Pictures Group has acquired cinema ticketing company Guangdong Yueke in an open auction for $134m (RMB830m).
Middle East
Starz Launches Middle East SVOD Service
US cable and satellite network Starz is launching its Middle East and North Africa SVOD service, Starz Play Arabia, in 17 countries today.
News
INTERVIEW: Manish Mundra On Financing Indian Films
Indian producer Manish Mundra, who was drawn into the film business via Twitter, explains how social media is set to revolutionise India's indie film scene.
News
Singtel, Warner, Sony Launch HOOQ Streaming Service
Singapore’s Singtel is joining forces with Warner Bros and Sony Pictures Television to launch an OTT streaming service HOOQ in South-East Asia.
Chinese-Speaking Markets
Alibaba Pictures To Produce Wong Kar Wai Project
China’s Alibaba Pictures has greenlit its first film project – a drama entitled The Ferryman to be produced by leading Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar Wai.
News
Amazon Prime Eyes Launch In India
Amazon is reportedly looking to launch Amazon Prime along with its movie and music streaming service in India later this year.
Chinese-Speaking Markets
INTERVIEW: Gong Yu On iQiyi's Production Plans
iQiyi founder and CEO Gong Yu talks about the company’s production plans and how it is working on its film business with parent company Baidu.
Middle East
Arab Digital Platforms Race To Fill Content Gap
A PwC report highlights how online platforms are starting to fill the huge demand for youth-oriented Arabic content that is not being met by traditional film and TV industries across the Middle East.
Australia & New Zealand
Foxtel, Seven Join Forces In SVOD Battle
Australia’s Foxtel and Seven West have joined forces to launch streaming service Presto Entertainment ahead of Netflix’s assault on the Australian market next March.
Chinese-Speaking Markets
Tencent Becomes HBO’s Exclusive Partner In China
Tencent has struck a deal with HBO under which it will become the exclusive online video partner for HBO content in China.
Chinese-Speaking Markets
SMG Merges Subsidiaries To Form Internet Giant
Shanghai Media Group (SMG) is merging two subsidiaries – BesTV and Shanghai Oriental Pearl – to form what it claims will be China’s largest online media conglomerate.