Asia surpasses North America and Europe in streaming scripted ord
· business
The Rise of Asia: A New Era in Streaming Supremacy
Asia has surpassed North America and Europe as the global leader in streaming scripted orders, according to Ampere Analysis. Between January and June of this year, the region accounted for 36% of all first-run scripted TV orders from major streamers like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.
The growth is driven by countries such as India, where 25 new series orders were placed in the first half of this year alone – more than any other country in Asia. South Korea and Taiwan are also experiencing rapid expansion, with Netflix quadrupling its new scripted series orders in Taiwan compared to last year.
Global streamers like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix are investing heavily in Asian content because of the region’s vast potential for subscriber growth. As Ampere notes, APAC has become increasingly important due to attractive opportunities for subscriber growth and the increasing global appeal of Asian content.
This strategic thinking is not new; Hollywood has long been courting international audiences by adapting local hits and incorporating diverse perspectives into their productions. However, what’s different now is the scale of investment in Asia.
The implications are clear: global streamers will need to adapt their strategies to accommodate this shift. They’ll no longer be able to rely on a one-size-fits-all approach and will instead need to develop content that resonates with regional audiences while also appealing to global viewers.
This new era of co-production promises exciting opportunities for creative collaboration and innovation. Asian producers will have the chance to tap into international markets, while global streamers will gain access to fresh perspectives and ideas. However, this influx of international investment may disrupt local production ecosystems, and existing infrastructure may struggle to support increased demand for content.
Global streamers must balance their creative vision with regional cultural nuances, a delicate task that requires careful consideration to avoid cultural appropriation. The industry faces significant challenges as it navigates this new reality.
Asia’s dominance in streaming is here to stay, but the future of global streaming has never looked brighter or more complex. As we embark on this journey into the unknown, one question remains: who will be the winners in this new era of global streaming?
Reader Views
- TNThe Newsroom Desk · editorial
The Asian streaming revolution is gaining momentum, but let's not get too caught up in the excitement – this shift also raises concerns about cultural homogenization and intellectual property protection. With major global streamers pouring resources into Asia, there's a risk that unique regional voices could be co-opted or watered down to cater to broader audiences. As the industry rushes to tap into this growth market, it's crucial to strike a balance between cross-cultural collaboration and preserving local storytelling traditions. The consequences of neglecting these nuances could have long-term implications for both Asian creators and global viewers alike.
- MTMarcus T. · small-business owner
The shift in global streaming dominance to Asia is less about a sudden upswing and more about a delayed recognition of market trends. For years, Asian productions have been finding success in international markets through word-of-mouth and online platforms, but now major streamers are finally taking notice. The real challenge for these companies will be creating content that resonates with diverse regional audiences while maintaining global appeal – a difficult balancing act that requires more than just surface-level adaptations.
- DHDr. Helen V. · economist
This shift in streaming supremacy raises important questions about cultural homogenization versus regional diversity. While Asia's ascension is undoubtedly driven by its vast and growing audience, we must also consider the potential for lost cultural nuances as global streamers flood the market with standardized content tailored to regional tastes. To truly benefit from this co-production era, it's essential that we balance international appeal with authentic representation of Asian perspectives, lest we risk perpetuating superficial diversity in favor of guaranteed box office draws.