APOS 2016 has wrapped up in Bali, with some notable deals taking place at the international media conference:
Viacom International Media Networks Asia agreed to a multi-year Nickelodeon content deal with LeEco — one of China’s leading online VOD platforms. LeEco gets exclusive broadcast rights for the U.S. Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, and exclusive OTT rights for select Mandarin-dubbed and subtitled episodes of Nick series including Harvey Beaks, Paw Patrol and Rugrats.
VIMN Asia also signed its first regional distribution deal for its Viacom Play Plex apps package with Singapore’s Singtel. Rolling out later this year, the package includes branded apps Nickelodeon Play, Nick Jr. Play, MTV Play and Comedy Central Play. The agreement includes OTT rights for Viacom channels and a new licensing deal for MTV China and MTV Live. Apps will be language and content customized by country.
South Korean OTT service Pooq has picked up Turner’s CNN International and Cartoon Network. Pooq offers both live streaming and VOD and currently serves 400,000 paying subscribers. Non-subscribers will be able to access short previews of Cartoon Network and CNN content in Korea.
Anime network Aniplus has expanded its footprint in the region by signing new deals in Thailand with CTH and content aggregator Mediaplex International, which will distribute a one-hour Aniplus block on DTT platform Now26. The free-to-air weekend blocks will launch with Attack on Titan: Junior High, Knights of Sidonia and Kantai Collection, which will also be available on OTT platform DOONEE. Aniplus has also been picked up by Omnicontent Management in the Philippines for nationwide distribution.
Kids SVOD platform Hopster inked its first Asia deal, teaming with Maxis in Malaysia to offer the service to the telco’s 11 million subscribers. Hopster carries international hit series such as Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder and Teletubbies.
Turner Broadcasting launched its Korean-theme channel Oh!K and its U.S. network Warner TV on Indonesia’s Transvision pay-TV outlet, which carries superhero shows like DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Gotham, iZombie, Arrow, The Flash and Supergirl. Both channels air shows within hours of their U.S. or Korea broadcast premieres.
In a step backwards, regulators in China have shut down Walt Disney Co.’s neophyte direct-to-consumer streaming platform DisneyLife. Co-venture partner Alibaba Group has reportedly issued refunds to subscribers after saing the service was “down for maintenance.” DisneyLife launched in December 2015, offering a $125 annual subscription which provided access to Disney and Pixar movies, animated series, games, e-books, songs, travel services and Disney theme park and resort information.
