AVIA Announces Election of Two New Board Directors

The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) is pleased to announce the election of two newly elected Board Directors, K. Aravamudhan, Executive Vice President, Public Policy & Legal, JioStar and Vivek Couto, Co-Founder, CEO and Executive Director, Media Partners Asia. Their extensive experience and deep understanding of the media landscape will bring valuable insights to AVIA’s strategic direction and industry advocacy efforts.

K. Aravamudhan and Vivek Couto

The association is also pleased to confirm the re-election of Emily Yri, Vice President, International Marketing, Pubmatic, Desmond Chan, GM – TVBI & Deputy GM (Legal & Int’l Operations), TVB, Joe Welch, Vice President, Global Public Policy, Asia Pacific, The Walt Disney Company and Shonali Bedi, Head of Strategy, Partnerships & Insights – APAC, Warner Bros. Discovery. Their continued counsel and commitment will help continue to guide AVIA through a period of rapid transformation and opportunity for the video ecosystem.

At the same time, AVIA extends its appreciation to previous Directors, Agnes Rozario, Chief Content Officer, Astro and Greg Armshaw, former Senior Director Strategy APAC, Brightcove,for their contributions.

Board of Directors and Candidacy Statements

About the Asia Video Industry Association

The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) is the trade association for the video industry and ecosystem in Asia Pacific. It serves to make the video industry stronger and healthier through promoting the common interests of its members. AVIA is the interlocutor for the industry with governments across the region, leads the fight against video piracy through its Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and provides insight into the video industry through reports and conferences aimed to support a vibrant video industry.

For media enquiries and additional background please contact:

Charmaine Kwan
Head of Marketing and Communications
Email: charmaine@avia.org  | Website: www.avia.org
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/asiavideoia | Twitter: @AsiaVideoIA

Tan Teck Wee
Senior Marketing and Communications Executive
Email: teckwee@avia.org

Northeast Asia Video Summit Spotlights Global Content Strategies, Streaming Innovation, and the Future of Media Monetization

The Northeast Asia Video Summit 2025, hosted by the Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA), brought together leading media executives, content creators, and technology innovators to explore the future of video in Japan and Korea. Held in Tokyo, the summit showcased transformative strategies in global content production, streaming monetization, and cross-border collaboration.

A central theme of the summit was the global ascent of Japanese and Korean content. In a compelling keynote, Katsuaki Setoguchi, Executive Officer at TBS Holdings and President and CEO of THE SEVEN Inc., emphasized that Japan’s ambition to go global is rooted not in profit, but in cultural promotion. “Storytelling is our foundation,” Setoguchi said, highlighting the success of Alice in Borderland and upcoming co-productions with U-Next. He outlined a formula for global success: strategic IP selection, elevated production budgets, and partnerships with platforms like Netflix and Amazon to reach a global audience. Setoguchi also stressed the importance of long-term regional collaboration, particularly in Southeast Asia, citing their strategic alliance with Vietnam TV.

Yu Sasamoto, CEO of DAZN Japan and APAC Business Development, shared insights into Japan’s evolving sports streaming landscape. With partnerships like Docomo and Meta, DAZN is redefining how fans engage with live sports. Sasamoto revealed that DAZN is set to triple its subscriber base in Japan and is leveraging social media to convert engagement into subscriptions. Sasamoto also shared his ambitions to expand Japanese sports globally by building an ecosystem that blends content, technology, and partnerships to scale across Asia.

Streaming monetization was another hot topic. Joshua Sunghyun Cho, CBO of TVING, detailed the platform’s innovative ad strategies, including impression-guaranteed products and interactive formats like “Watch Together.” Partnering with Moloco, TVING doubled its ad revenue from KBO baseball broadcasts and is now targeting contextual and shopping ads. “Streaming is no longer just premium branding—it’s performance-driven,” Cho said. Nick Chuah, Managing Director APAC at INVIDI, added that addressable advertising is poised to reshape Japan’s TV ad market, with data-driven campaigns delivering measurable ROI and unlocking new value for brands.

Executives from DentsuFAST Corporation, and Integral Ad Science also echoed the need for collaboration, standardization, and advocacy to accelerate CTV adoption in Japan. With new smart TVs and platforms like TVer and ABEMA entering the programmatic space, the market is poised for rapid growth.

The summit also addressed the future of anime as a global cultural force. Yuichiro Saito, CEO of Studio CHIZU, and Hideki Henry Goto, President of OKUTAGON LLC, discussed anime’s expanding international footprint. With over half of revenue now coming from global markets, speakers called for new business models, international co-productions, and talent development to sustain growth, with Saito advocating for creative integrity and global collaboration.

In the closing keynote, executives from Warner BrosDiscoverySKY Perfect JSAT, and A+E Global Media debated the future of pay TV and streaming economics in Japan. While acknowledging the slow decline of linear TV, they emphasized the enduring value of local partnerships and bundling strategies. Japan’s rich history and vibrant culture continue to produce compelling stories, presenting vast opportunities for international partnerships to bring this content to global audiences. The speakers agreed that creative distribution models and co-productions will be key to unlocking Japan’s full potential on the global stage.

The Northeast Asia Video Summit is proudly sponsored by Gold Sponsors Moloco and Publica by IAS, and Silver Sponsors Encompass, INVIDI and TV5MONDE.

Click here for a selection of photos from the Summit.

About the Asia Video Industry Association

The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) is the trade association for the video industry and ecosystem in Asia Pacific. It serves to make the video industry stronger and healthier through promoting the common interests of its members. AVIA is the interlocutor for the industry with governments across the region, leads the fight against video piracy through its Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and provides insight into the video industry through reports and conferences aimed to support a vibrant video industry.

For media enquiries and additional background information, please contact:

Charmaine Kwan
Head of Marketing and Communications
Email: charmaine@avia.org | Website: www.avia.org
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/asiavideoia |X: @AsiaVideoIA

Archipelago Video Summit Showcases How the Region is Reinventing for Significant Growth

The Archipelago Video Summit, held on 9 October in Jakarta, brought together over 150 senior executives from across Asia to explore the future of video in some of the world’s most dynamic markets of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.

In the opening keynote, Hermawan Sutanto, Managing Director of Vidio, shared how the platform is building a local streaming powerhouse around sports rights and original content to leverage a dual advertising and subscription revenue strategy. Sutanto emphasized that in Indonesia, “execution is everything” while also highlighting Vidio’s aggressive stance against piracy. He also outlined the use of AI in three key areas—hypertargeting user recommendations to drive subscriptions, process automation including customer service, and business innovation such as dynamic ad placement in live sports and local language translation for regional dialects. Looking ahead, he projected that the penetration of OTT streaming in Indonesia could double to 15% within the next five years.

In Reinventing for a Dynamic Future, Jane Jimenez-Basas, President & CEO of MediaQuest Holdings and Cignal TV, highlighted the Philippines’ unique media ecosystem and her vision to build a content-focused platform integrated with telco services. While linear TV continues to hold its ground, the real momentum is coming from streaming. However, with lower ARPU, strategic partnerships—such as device distribution and app launches—are essential to scaling reach and driving sustainable growth. “I’m trying to build a content focused ecosystem not a channel business,” said Jimenez-Basas. And with the success Cignal has had with micro-dramas particularly with younger audiences, Jimenez-Basas also revealed their ambition to produce AI-generated micro-dramas in the future.

Piracy remained a central theme throughout the summit. Gina Golda Pangaila, SVP, Legal, Anti-Piracy & Government Relation, Vidio, emphasized the need for a multi-layered, industry-wide approach, combining defensive measures like DRM and content protection with offensive strategies that enhance the consumer experience and investing in anti-piracy technologies. She also highlighted the critical role of AVIA and AVISI in lobbying governments to support these efforts. Darmawan Zaini, Chief Technology Officer, Vision+, also called for stronger consumer education—especially among younger audiences—and even suggested exploring penalties for those who consume pirated content. Ian Franklyn, Chief Revenue Officer, MainStreaming, echoed the urgency, and stressed the importance of real-time detection and rapid response especially for live content where pirates profit most and content owners face the greatest losses. “Piracy is no longer a nuisance—it’s organized crime. . .The goal is to give back power to the content owner,” said Franklyn.

On the future of satellite video, technology leaders from AsiaSatMEASAT, and INTEGRASYS reaffirmed satellite’s relevance and cost effectiveness in reaching rural and underserved markets and playing a critical role in bridging the digital divide across Southeast Asia’s archipelagic geographies.

In the sessions focused on monetization strategies, speakers acknowledged that while Connected TV (CTV) adoption in Southeast Asia faces infrastructural and content acquisition challenges, its growth trajectory is accelerating rapidly. Tushar Tyagi, Head of Channel Partnerships, Samsung Ads, noted that the region is poised to leapfrog traditional development stages and move directly toward smart, data-driven outcomes, making education, standardization, and AI-powered addressability essential to unlocking CTV’s full monetization potential. The sessions also explored co-viewing trends and the power of contextual advertising, emphasizing the growing importance of data-driven personalization, with innovations in ad formats and audience segmentation helping to drive engagement across both linear and OTT platforms. Sachidananda Panda, President, Client, WPP Media, summed up the future of streaming with the “three I’s”—Intelligence, Integration, and Impact—underscoring the role of AI, cross-platform strategies, and effectiveness in shaping the next wave of video advertising.

The CEO Dialogue wrapped up the day with Mike Kerr, Managing Director, Asia, beIN Media Group, emphasizing the importance of disciplined content acquisition and strategic partnerships, particularly in sports, while cautioning against overreliance on traditional advertising models. Alexandre Muller, Managing Director APAC, TV5MONDE noted that Asia’s rapid adoption of new technologies continues to inspire innovation, but success requires deep local understanding and collaboration. The dialogue closed with a shared optimism for the region’s future, grounded in adaptability, innovation, and a commitment to building scalable, consumer-centric media ecosystems.

Archipelago Video Summit is proudly sponsored by Gold Sponsors Publica by IAS, Vidio and Vision+ and Silver Sponsors AsiaSat, INTEGRASYS, INVIDI, Magnite, MainStreaming and TV5MONDE.

About the Asia Video Industry Association

The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) is the trade association for the video industry and ecosystem in Asia Pacific. It serves to make the video industry stronger and healthier through promoting the common interests of its members. AVIA is the interlocutor for the industry with governments across the region, leads the fight against video piracy through its Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and provides insight into the video industry through reports and conferences aimed to support a vibrant video industry.

For media enquiries and additional background information, please contact:
Charmaine Kwan
Head of Marketing and Communications
Email: charmaine@avia.org | Website: www.avia.org
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/asiavideoia |X: @AsiaVideoIA

Widespread Use Of Illicit Streaming Devices In Taiwan Poses Potential National Cybersecurity Threat, New Research Finds

Groundbreaking new research was released today revealing that illicit streaming devices (ISDs) in Taiwan are not only enabling rampant piracy, but also potentially pose significant cybersecurity threats to consumers and national infrastructure. The study was released at an enforcement workshop hosted in Taipei by the Taiwan Society of Convergence and the Asia Video Industry Association’s Coalition Against Piracy (CAP).

The research, conducted by Professor Paul A. Watters of Cyberstronomy Pty Ltd, found that many ISDs are vulnerable to malware infections and can be remotely hijacked, putting users at risk of identity theft, ransomware, and espionage. Even more alarmingly, these devices could be exploited to form large-scale botnets capable of disrupting Taiwan’s critical infrastructure through coordinated cyberattacks.

Key findings from the study include:

49% of apps commonly associated with ISDs which were tested contained malware, with some triggering up to 20 detections on industry-leading security platforms.ISDs were found to have an average of 7.75 security vulnerabilities, leaving users exposed to exploits such as command-and-control takeovers and phishing attacks.One malware-laden app was found to use “superuser” privileges, granting attackers full access to a user’s device and connected network.Malicious infrastructure supporting ISD apps is hosted via obscure and abuse-prone domains, such as 6868c.cc and 1357c.cc, often shielded by private registrations.

“Every ISD in Taiwan represents a potential node in a nationwide cyberattack,” said Matt Cheetham, General Manager of CAP. “If left unregulated, these devices could be weaponised to compromise homes, businesses, and government networks.” Cheetham noted that the study recommended a three-pronged approach to address the threat: tighten regulations on the sale and distribution of ISDs; expand enforcement and monitoring of malicious ISD infrastructure, and; implement DNS/site blocking to prevent access to known malware-distributing domains.

About the Asia Video Industry Association

The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) is the trade association for the video industry and ecosystem in Asia Pacific. It serves to make the video industry stronger and healthier through promoting the common interests of its members. AVIA is the interlocutor for the industry with governments across the region, leads the fight against video piracy through its Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and provides insight into the video industry through reports and conferences aimed to support a vibrant video industry.

For media enquiries and additional background please contact:

Charmaine Kwan, Head of Marketing and Communications | charmaine@avia.org

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/asiavideoia |X: @AsiaVideoIA

India: Revolutionizing Video And Content For The Global Media And Entertainment Industy

The Future of Video India 2025 conference, held at the Trident Hotel Bandra Kurla, and part of the inaugural World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), brought together over 120 industry leaders, innovators, and policymakers to discuss the transformative trends shaping India’s media and entertainment landscape. The event, organized by the Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA), featured insightful sessions on regulatory frameworks, content creation, as well as distribution and monetisation strategies.

Setting the tone for the day, the inaugural conversation led by Abhay Shanker Verma, Principal Advisor (Broadcasting & Cable Services), Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), focused on creating a regulatory framework to propel India’s media and entertainment sector onto the global stage. Verma emphasized the importance of a level playing field and light-touch regulations to foster growth and innovation. He also reiterated India’s ambitions to become a content hub, with the establishment of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT), aimed at equipping the next generation of digital creators to excel in the global digital content industry.

Following this, Gaurav Banerjee, Managing Director & CEO of Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI), declared “. . . the days of mediocre content is coming to an end” while sharing his vision for the future of SPNI and how it is pivoting to become first and foremost a content studio. He stressed the importance of authentic, quality, and unique storytelling and how SPNI was shifting from a traditional pay TV business model to a more diversified content distribution strategy, leveraging both broadcast and digital platforms to maximize monetization and reach. Banerjee also highlighted the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for content creators given the country’s young population and rapid economic growth while AI was a transformative opportunity to enhance creativity and ensure safety for both creators and consumers.

Vivek Couto, Managing & Executive Director of Media Partners Asia, then provided an overview of the significant transformations in India’s premium video sector over the last year, foreseeing no further imminent consolidations. Couto shared that there was enough revenue in the pie for the top 7 to 8 players to grow, and while advertising had gone through tough times for premium video, the Connected TV (CTV) universe was going to be very important for the advertising industry. Couto also remarked that India was by far the most accessible growth opportunity in the world, and “we are just beginning to see the collaboration and cooperation needed to drive this industry forward.”

Kelly Day, Head of International & Vice President, Prime Video, shared their unique strategy of transforming Prime Video into a comprehensive entertainment hub, underscored by the evolving landscape of content consumption in India. Day emphasized the importance of offering a wide range of content to cater to diverse customer preferences. “We want to be the first place that people think of when they want to watch something. . . This idea of offering the best and biggest service is at the core of what Amazon offers around the world,” said Day.

Monika Shergill, Vice President – Content at Netflix India, also stressed the importance of creative excellence and innovation, with a commitment to fuelling emotional connections through bold and imaginative storytelling, shooting across thousands of states and cities to create a diverse slate. Winning the Indian market was certainly a priority, with the goal of taking the best Indian stories to the world. Innovation and consistency were not opposites, said Shergill, with Netflix maintaining consistency in quality while continuously innovating in both service and storytelling.

Sushant Sreeram, Chief Marketing Officer at JioStar, also highlighted their platform’s focus on emotional engagement, personalized content, and innovative monetization strategies to drive growth and retention. “An aspiration and ambition to get to 1 billion screens requires us to reimagine everything, from the way we market to our service and the content we offer,” said Sreesam.

The conference also focused on the future of premium video advertising in India, with panellists highlighting the transformative potential of CTV for advertisers. Vineet Rastogi, Director of Product – India & EMEA, INVIDI, said, “It is not a question of choosing between linear and streaming, it’s about how to combine them.” Saurabh Srivastava, COO – Digital, Shemaroo Entertainment, emphasized the need for a new mindset to fully leverage CTV’s targeted and engaging capabilities. Clem Birdsall, Senior Publisher and Platform Director – APAC, Publica by IAS, also shared that programmatic buying offered more opportunities for advertisers compared to direct buying, which often has a higher entry threshold. However, Ranjana Mangla, SVP and Head of Ad Revenue, Sony LIV, Sony Pictures Networks India, underscored the challenges in building brand engagement in the CTV landscape, highlighting the need for a unified measurement system to ensure transparency. Surmising, Luke Smith, Senior Director – CTV & Online Video, APAC, PubMatic, opined that while TV has traditionally been effective for top-of-the-funnel brand advertisers, there are now unprecedented opportunities for all types of advertisers to leverage this medium. 

Closing off the event, Vynsley Fernandes, Whole-time Director, Hinduja Global Solutions Ltd & CEO, NXTDIGITAL unveiled his strategy for embracing digital transformation. Fernandes emphasized the importance of expanding broadband services and launching satellite initiatives to better serve remote areas, reflecting their commitment to adapting to evolving consumer demands and technological advancements. These efforts underscore the pay TV industry’s proactive approach to maintaining relevance and enhancing accessibility in the digital age.

Future of Video India is proudly sponsored by Gold Sponsor Publica by IAS, and Silver Sponsors INVIDI, MEASAT and PubMatic.

About the Asia Video Industry Association

The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) is the trade association for the video industry and ecosystem in Asia Pacific. It serves to make the video industry stronger and healthier through promoting the common interests of its members. AVIA is the interlocutor for the industry with governments across the region, leads the fight against video piracy through its Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and provides insight into the video industry through reports and conferences aimed to support a vibrant video industry.

For media enquiries and additional background information, please contact:

Charmaine Kwan
Head of Marketing and Communications
Email: charmaine@avia.org | Website: www.avia.org
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/asiavideoia |X: @AsiaVideoIA

Singapore’s Ongoing Blocking of Pirate Sites Protects Consumers And Prevents Potentially Wider Harm

The Asia Video Industry Association’s Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) welcomes the Singapore High Court’s latest order to block another 22 illegal streaming sites and 70 associated domains responsible for the distribution of illegally streamed content in Singapore.

The Court’s order follows on from a similar order obtained in Singapore by the Premier League in November 2024 and continues the push by its applicants BBC Studios, the Premier League, DFL Deutsche Fußball Liga and LALIGA, that in recent years has seen the blocking of hundreds of illegal streaming sites and hundreds more associated domains that were offering access to some of the most sought-after content in Singapore including live sports, drama and entertainment. The order is also part of a wider campaign by CAP and its members against online piracy in the region, including in-depth analysis into piracy trends in the region, and the harms caused to both consumers and the potentially wider impact from piracy services that are essentially illegal operations run by criminals.

“There is now extensive evidence of the links between piracy services and consumer harm, including risks of malware infection, identity theft and viruses. A 2024 study undertaken showed that consumers accessing pirate sites in Singapore are nearly four times more likely to be exposed to a cyber threat compared to a mainstream site(1), and blocking access to piracy services is a great step in preventing this type of harm,” said CAP’s General Manager, Matt Cheetham. “Recent research has also shown that piracy services could have wider potential harm, with illegal streaming devices (ISDs) shown to be riddled with compromised apps and pre-installed malware targeting personal data. These devices can be remotely hijacked and potentially used for more widespread attacks on other devices and broader networks(2)”, added Cheetham.

(1) https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4709637
(2) https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4986107

About the Asia Video Industry Association

The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) is the trade association for the video industry and ecosystem in Asia Pacific. It serves to make the video industry stronger and healthier through promoting the common interests of its members. AVIA is the interlocutor for the industry with governments across the region, leads the fight against video piracy through its Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and provides insight into the video industry through reports and conferences aimed to support a vibrant video industry.

For media enquiries and additional background please contact:

Charmaine Kwan, Head of Marketing and Communications | charmaine@avia.org
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/asiavideoia |X: @AsiaVideoIA

AVIA’s Inaugural ‘Japan In View’ Highlights Japan’s Streaming Potential and The Future of Digital Entertainment

The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) held its very first Japan focused industry event, Japan in View, on 29th October at the Andaz Tokyo, bringing together over 130 international and regional players from across the video and streaming industry.

The conference opened and dove straight into the streaming potential of Japan, with Shinjiro Ninagawa, Executive Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, TVer INC., sharing his ambitions of growing TVer to 3 times as large as it was now, with the business doubling over the next 2 – 3 years. Yu Sasamoto, CEO of Japan and Asia, DAZN, also said that Japan was still at the tipping point of the shift and transformation from traditional linear programming to digital services, and he expected more disruption from new players, with the landscape shifting significantly in the next 5 years.

Sam Yousif, Vice President, AMPD Analytics (an MPA company), further expanded on the opportunities for Japan, opening his session describing Japan as “a lucrative, consistently growing multi-billion-dollar industry with a complex competitive landscape and unique customer behaviour.” In Asia (excluding China), Japan was the largest VOD market in terms of revenue with US$6B in 2024, almost two times bigger than the next biggest market, Australia. Revenue had also been growing near double digits every year in the past four years, with a CAGR of 17% from 2020 – 2024, an astounding number for a market this size. VOD consumers also had diverse options, both within and outside of the industry, with VOD only representing 6% of their free time. Japanese consumers also exhibited unique viewing behaviour not seen across other markets, including a distinct preference for local content. 78% of the total hours viewed on VOD in Japan was with Japanese content, with 93% of VOD users consuming Japanese content, and US content only at 16%. And interestingly, there was also a large, shared economy where the top titles, mostly anime, were shared across all the platforms. “With so much content shared across so many platforms, it feels more like a streaming cooperation in Japan than a streaming war,” added Louis Boswell, CEO, AVIA.

However, beyond anime, panelists believed that Japan was only scratching the surface in terms of the international opportunity for the export of its content. “If the industry can turn and create content that can be appealing both for Japanese audiences and globally, it’s enormous value and enormous opportunity,” said David Shin, Executive Producer, ICONIQUE PICTURES. What was key was to take the wonderful stories that were indigenous to Japan and elevate them with a high level of storytelling that could propel the industry and that content overseas, added Shin.

And with the success that Korean content has had internationally, Sun Hong Min, Chief Content Officer, TVING, shared that the foremost reason behind TVING’s impressive growth this year was their strategic partnership with leading content providers, that enabled them to offer a diverse arrangement of high-quality premium content that resonated deeply with their users. Min was also of the opinion that local content could resonate on a global scale by combining universal human elements with a narrative deeply rooted in local history, culture and sentiment.

Partnerships was also key to growing the business for Buddy Marini, General Manager – Japan, Warner Bros. Discovery, across both linear and streaming, having recently announced a new partnership with U-Next to launch Max in Japan. For local giant J:COM, Kaz Sasajima, General Manager, Media Business Division, the digital domain too represented room for growth, particular in the space of professionally produced content. And wrapping up in the closing panel, for Alexandre Muller, Managing Director, APAC, TV5MONDE, AI was presenting new possibilities, notably in terms of providing greater access to content across multiple languages. “Definitely the place to be is in Asia Pacific, and this is really where the growth is and I can see growth both in linear and as well as on OTT,” added Muller.

Japan in View is proudly sponsored by Lead Sponsor Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA); Gold Sponsors Akamai, Magnite and Publica; Silver Sponsors INVIDI and TV5MONDE.

Visit our media gallery for photos from event.

About the Asia Video Industry Association

The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) is the trade association for the video industry and ecosystem in Asia Pacific. It serves to make the video industry stronger and healthier through promoting the common interests of its members. AVIA is the interlocutor for the industry with governments across the region, leads the fight against video piracy through its Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and provides insight into the video industry through reports and conferences aimed to support a vibrant video industry.

For media enquiries and additional background information, please contact:
Charmaine Kwan
Head of Marketing and Communications
Email: charmaine@avia.org | Website: www.avia.org
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/asiavideoia |Twitter: @AsiaVideoIA

Disclaimer: The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.

Empowering Audiences: The Role of Content and Connectivity in Vietnam’s Media Evolution

Over 100 industry delegates from across Asia gathered at the Asia Video Industry Association’s (AVIA) Vietnam in View conference, opened by the Deputy Director General of the Authority for Broadcast and Electronic Information (ABEI), Nguyen Ha Yen, on 9 October in Ho Chi Minh City.

Despite the challenges of 2023 in the post-Covid landscape, the pay TV market in Vietnam continued to evolve, achieving a 4% increase in revenue and a 14% rise in subscriptions compared to 2022, as noted by Deputy Director General Nguyen. He emphasized that, amid fierce competition and rapid changes in consumer behaviour and technology, developing new business models for sustainable growth was essential for the future of pay TV. Both regulatory bodies and industry leaders will play crucial roles in shaping this strategic direction, he added.

This was further reiterated by Thanh Vu, Deputy Regional Managing Director and Representative, US-ASEAN Business Council, in his market overview of Vietnam. Vietnam was fast approaching market maturity, with total subscriptions at almost 20 million, with 5.8% annual growth since 2018. And with pay TV penetration at 66%, there was still lots of room for growth, shared Thanh Vu. However, the clear winner was OTT and IPTV, which had become mainstream, and its revenue share accelerating from just 11% in 2019 to 45% by end of 2023, almost catching up with cable TV. Despite a sharp decline in subscriptions over the past 4 years and a modest subscription share of only 20% today, cable still accounted for over 50% of total Pay TV revenue.

However regardless of platform, content very much remained the key driver for consumers, and critical to the business, said Pham Thanh Phuong, Managing Director, Viettel TV360. Offering the largest mobile and fixed-line network infrastructure in the Vietnamese market, with up to 80 million mobile broadband subscribers, bundling television and fixed broadband services was essential for them, and the smartest and fastest way to acquire the largest television customer base at the lowest cost and in the shortest time. But to keep their customers in the ecosystem, differentiation was important, especially from the international OTT platforms. “When we invest in local content, we can create a difference,” said Phuong.

This sentiment was also clearly presented in the data from Kantar Media, on Who’s Watching What, Where and How in Vietnam. Local content reigned supreme across linear viewing, rounding up the top 10 most watched titles, with local Vietnamese series also driving over 30% of non-linear viewing. And from a platform perspective, the two most important devices were the Connected TV (CTV) and the smartphone, with CTV penetration at a striking 91% in the market. “It’s not a case of linear TV being replaced by video on demand, but that they complement each other. For the TV industry to develop, we must find out a way to serve the target audience according to their needs,” said Tran Thi Thanh Mai, General Director, Kantar Media Vietnam.

For Esther Nguyen, Founder & CEO, POPS Worldwide, their content strategy was always to look at the audience first, and the lifetime value of that audience, and serving the content that they want to watch, when they want to watch and on the platform of their choice. However, “playing in the digital world and operating among many different platforms is a double-edged sword,” shared Nguyen. “Platforms are global and have democratized content and what audiences watch. Audiences are now open to watching content from all over the world. We are no longer competing with just local content, but with global content,” she surmised in her closing keynote session.

Vietnam in View is proudly sponsored by Lead Sponsor Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA); Silver Sponsors A+E Networks Asia, INVIDI, PubMatic and TV5MONDE.

Visit our media gallery for photos from event.

About the Asia Video Industry Association

The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) is the trade association for the video industry and ecosystem in Asia Pacific. It serves to make the video industry stronger and healthier through promoting the common interests of its members. AVIA is the interlocutor for the industry with governments across the region, leads the fight against video piracy through its Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and provides insight into the video industry through reports and conferences aimed to support a vibrant video industry.

For media enquiries and additional background information, please contact:
Charmaine Kwan
Head of Marketing and Communications
Email: charmaine@avia.org | Website: www.avia.org
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/asiavideoia |Twitter: @AsiaVideoIA

Disclaimer: The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.

AVIA Announces “Vietnam in View” Conference, Highlighting Growth and Opportunities in Vietnam’s Media and Entertainment Industry

The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) is proud to announce the highly anticipated Vietnam in View conference, set to take place on 9 October in Ho Chi Minh City. This event will bring together industry leaders, innovators, and key stakeholders from Vietnam’s burgeoning media and entertainment landscape to explore the dynamic developments shaping the future of the market.

As Vietnam continues to experience rapid economic growth, its media sector is emerging as one of the most vibrant in Southeast Asia. Vietnam in View will dive deep into the trends, challenges, and opportunities that are influencing the evolution of content consumption, broadcasting, OTT platforms, and advertising in the region.

Key Topics and Sessions Include:

The Rise of OTT and Streaming Platforms: As streaming continues to gain momentum, local and international players are competing for market share. This session will explore how Vietnamese content creators and distribution platforms are adapting to this shift.

Content Creation in a Digital Era: A deep dive into how local content is shaping national identity while appealing to global audiences, and how partnerships are paving the way for more diverse, high-quality productions.

Regulatory Landscape and Industry Collaboration: An essential look at how the Vietnamese government’s policies are driving growth in the media sector and fostering a healthy ecosystem for both local and international stakeholders.

Advertising and Audience Engagement: With Vietnam’s tech-savvy and increasingly mobile population, what are the best practices and innovative strategies to reach new generations of audiences?

Distinguished Speakers include:

  • Huu Tuan Nguyen, Special Counsel, BMVN International
  • Nguyen Huu Thi Tuong Vi, Senior Producer, CJ HK Entertainment
  • Sudarshan Saha, Managing Director, EssenceMediacom Vietnam
  • Tran Thu Trang, Deputy General Director, FPT Play
  • Le Dinh Phuong Thuy, Deputy Head of Digital Content Service Department, HTV-TMS (Ho Chi Minh City Television)
  • Quang Dong Nguyen, Director, Institute for Policy Studies and Media Development (IPS)
  • Milind Sattur, Director, Audience Data and Demand Partnerships, INVIDI
  • Tran Thi Thanh Mai, General Director, Kantar Media Vietnam
  • Yasmin Zahid, Head of Distribution and Brand Partnerships APAC, Moonbug Entertainment
  • Nguyen Hanh, Senior Advisor, Msky Co.
  • Esther Nguyen, Founder and CEO, POPS Worldwide
  • Luke Smith, Senior Director, CTV and Online Video, APAC, PubMatic
  • Thanh Vu, Consultant, AVIA & Deputy Regional Managing Director and Representative, US-ASEAN Business Council
  • Quang Minh Le, General Director, Vietnam Parliament Television
  • Pham Thanh Phuong, Managing Director, Viettel TV360
  • Thomas Jayet, CEO, VSTV (K+)
  • Lien Trinh Thi Thuy, Content and Channel Director, VSTV (K+)

With both local and regional representatives from across the video and media industry, this event offers unparalleled opportunities for networking and collaboration, to gain key insights into the rapidly evolving media landscape and learn how to tap into the incredible growth potential of Vietnam.

AVIA’s CEO, Louis Boswell, commented, “Vietnam is one of the most exciting media markets in Asia right now, with a young, tech-savvy population and a rapidly expanding middle class. Our Vietnam in View conference is designed to give industry players the insights they need to thrive in this dynamic market. We’re excited to bring together a diverse range of stakeholders to explore the opportunities in the Vietnamese media space.”

Event Details:
Date and Time: 9 October 2024, 9am – 5pm VST
Location: Grand Saigon, 3/F, Mai House Saigon
Registration: Visit the event page to register for the event and for more information.

Vietnam in View is proudly sponsored by Lead Sponsor Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA); Silver Sponsors A+E Networks Asia, INVIDI, PubMatic and TV5Monde.

About the Asia Video Industry Association

The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) is the trade association for the video industry and ecosystem in Asia Pacific. It serves to make the video industry stronger and healthier through promoting the common interests of its members. AVIA is the interlocutor for the industry with governments across the region, leads the fight against video piracy through its Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and provides insight into the video industry through reports and conferences aimed to support a vibrant video industry.

For media enquiries and additional background information, please contact:
Charmaine Kwan
Head of Marketing and Communications
Email: charmaine@avia.org | Website: www.avia.org
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/asiavideoia |Twitter: @AsiaVideoIA

Disclaimer: The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.

Korea Continues to Lead the Charge in Shaping the Future of Streaming in Asia

The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA), in partnership with the Korean Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), held Korea in View @BCWW on 29 August to much success, hosting over 300 delegates at COEX, as part of the 3-day global broadcasting content convention.

The conference opened with a special welcome address by Eun Young Kang, Director of the Broadcast & Advertisement Policy Division, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, before going deep into insights on the next chapter of the Korean content boom and how the industry could emerge from this “correction period”.

For Marianne Lee, Chief of Content Acquisition and Development, Viu, the correction period was driven by the increase in production costs which had jumped four-fold in the last decade, and it was crucial for the industry to work collectively to optimize monetization and keep pace with costs in order to recover as quickly as possible.

Hyun Park, CEO, Alquimista Media, was confident that if Korea and the broader Asia region produced great content, it could fill a void in the streaming world that was not being supplied by the US due the events that had occurred over the last years, including the pandemic and the Hollywood strikes.

“Streaming has democratized content in a significant way, and viewers are voting for Asian content, with 14b hours of Asian content consumed globally in 2023,” said Vivek Couto, Managing and Executive Director, Media Partners Asia. Asian titles also drove 80% of premium video engagement and acquisition in APAC, with Korean content particularly significant in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, driving over 30% of viewership and contributing up to 30% in viewer acquisition.

Couto also added that Korea was just in the “second innings” in the streaming industry, with the pace of change far more significant in the advertising space. And in a market like Korea, with most consumers having 2 – 3 subscriptions per household, there was an opportunity to replicate the pay TV bundle and grow the pie through that.

Discussing the resilience of linear TV, Ana Bautista, Head of Strategy – Asia, BBC Studios, also said that establishing connections, relationships and deeper partnerships to understand each other’s needs and where the market was headed was key, particularly in Asia and Korea. While Changhoon Lee, Head of Media & Content Business Unit, SK Broadband, opined that the lack of personalization was a key issue the industry was facing from the IPTV perspective, but this offered an opportunity to transform into an AI media platform which would make it more competitive against the streaming giants.

The significant growth of streaming has not, however, seen a corresponding increase in advertising revenue.  “Measurement is the underpinning currency and determines where the dollars will go, “said Chris Mottershead, Commercial Director – JAPAC, Publica. But with various constituents having differing objectives and levels of data all held within their own walled gardens, it remained a problem for the industry. On a more optimistic note, Mottershead added “We are starting to see a closing of the loop,” with a unifying of data across the viewing journey, from linear TV to IP and streaming.

Korea in View is proudly sponsored by Lead Sponsor Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency; Gold Sponsors Publica and TV5Monde; Silver Sponsor Invidi and Official Partner Korean Creative Content Agency (KOCCA).

Visit the media gallery for photos from the event.

About the Asia Video Industry Association

The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) is the trade association for the video industry and ecosystem in Asia Pacific. It serves to make the video industry stronger and healthier through promoting the common interests of its members. AVIA is the interlocutor for the industry with governments across the region, leads the fight against video piracy through its Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and provides insight into the video industry through reports and conferences aimed to support a vibrant video industry.

About KOCCA

The Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) is South Korea’s leading government agency that oversees the advancement of Korean creative content, both domestically and internationally. KOCCA covers a wide range of Korea’s creative industries, including gaming, animation, character licensing, music, fashion, and broadcasting. KOCCA actively advances these industries via production support, marketing and promotion, global expansion abroad, human capital development, and cultural technology implementation.

For media enquiries and additional background information, please contact:
Charmaine Kwan
Head of Marketing and Communications
Email: charmaine@avia.org
Website: www.avia.org |LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/asiavideoia |Twitter: @AsiaVideoIA

Disclaimer: The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.