BBC Studios has struck a new deal with the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) and Southeast Asian streaming platform Viu to address the limitations and challenges in the domestic broadcast and video content production environment – such as the rising production costs of television dramas and a decrease in documentary programming. BBC Studios, a subsidiary of the U.K.’s public broadcaster BBC, is responsible for content production and distribution with its 55 channel feeds worldwide. Viu is a streamer operating in 16 countries across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, offering both ad-supported video-on-demand and subscription video-on-demand services.
KOCCA plans to secure “genre diversity in K-content and facilitate stable overseas expansion through cooperation with these two organizations, which possess exceptional production expertise and global [streaming] platforms.”
Ryan Shiotani, Senior VP of Content at BBC Studios Asia, said: “BBC Studios is delighted to partner with KOCCA to bring factual K-Content to audiences across Asia and beyond, via our network of linear and streaming channels. South Korea is a dynamic creative industry and we know there are lots of brilliant Korean stories waiting to be told to a wider audience. Our new collaboration with KOCCA to develop, co-produce and distribute Korean documentaries will contribute to the future of the global broadcast and video content industry.”
Viu Chief Operating Officer, Lofai Lo, added: “K-content is one of the core content offerings on the Viu platform. We are very pleased to further strengthen our long-standing relationship with the Korean entertainment industry through our collaboration with KOCCA, and to provide our viewers with high-quality Korean programs. This agreement goes beyond mere business cooperation; it represents a long-term partnership aimed at leading the future of the global broadcasting content industry.”