Chinese Speaking
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
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.
Aus & NZ
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
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
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.
Chinese Speaking
Huayi Brothers Pacts With Alibaba, Tencent
Chinese film studio Huayi Brothers is raising finance through Alibaba and Tencent, and also signing strategic partnerships with the rival internet giants.
Chinese Speaking
Tencent Pacts With Warner Music For Digital Distribution
China’s Tencent has struck a deal with Warner Music to handle digital distribution of its repertoire and new releases in China, excluding Chinese mobile operators.
Europe
Wild Bunch Reveals Plans to Launch Pan-European Streamer
Cutting edge, Paris-based production, sales and distribution group Wild Bunch, has announced it is planning to launch a pan-European digital distribution operation, organising cross-territory, day-and-date releases in the region.
Korea & Japan
Japan’s Softbank To Acquire DramaFever
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.
Chinese Speaking
Equity Crowdfunding Still On The Starting Blocks
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.