CJ ENM and Warner Bros. Discovery have struck a sweeping partnership to accelerate the global reach and competitiveness of Korean content, the companies announced on Oct. 16.
The alliance spans content and platforms: co-developing and co-producing K-content; launching a Tving-branded hub within HBO Max across 17 Asia-Pacific territories, including Hong Kong, Taiwan and markets in Southeast Asia; and expanding global distribution.
Marking the 30th anniversary of its culture business and declaring this its "Year One of Global Acceleration," CJ ENM says the pact lays key groundwork for its international push and a more sustainable K-content ecosystem.
Tving, South Korea’s OTT service, will make its first foray into the Asia-Pacific market via a Tving-branded destination inside HBO Max in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Southeast Asia. Catering to the region’s appetite for K-content, the hub will showcase buzzy new dramas and variety hits to boost both discovery and accessibility. The partners will preview select titles in early November ahead of a full launch early next year.
The companies will also move forward with global co-productions. Through joint investment, WBD and CJ ENM will develop and produce projects for worldwide audiences, with releases set to roll out to global viewers on HBO Max.
Miky Lee, vice chair of CJ Group, said, "CJ ENM has engaged audiences around the world and helped drive the globalization of Korean content. This partnership―pairing CJ’s creative strengths with Warner Bros. Discovery, a powerhouse in storytelling―will be a turning point that further elevates K-content on the global stage."
David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, said, "We are pleased to collaborate with CJ ENM, a leader in universal storytelling that resonates worldwide. This alliance is a key milestone that signals our commitment to delivering locally optimized stories in major global markets."
Warner Bros. Discovery is a global media and entertainment company that includes Warner Bros. Pictures Group, Discovery Channel, HBO, CNN and the DC portfolio, serving audiences in more than 220 countries and territories.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)