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| Launches customized services for the top three markets in Southeast Asia with Amazon Prime Video |
In today's debut, Amazon Prime Video's localized streaming services went live in Southeast Asia's three largest markets: Indonesia, Thailand, and The Philippines. By boosting its investment in local production, launching original slates for each country, and providing users with exclusive incentives like seven-day free trials and discounts, the firm is seeking to increase the number of subscribers in the three countries.
Josh McIvor, director of International Expansion, Prime Video, said in a statement: "We're delighted to be increasing our investment in Prime Video for customers in Southeast Asia, making it a truly localized experience — from local content specifically sourced for our customers to a localized user experience and the first full-scale local marketing campaign." We are taking a big step toward our larger international development ambitions and our goal of being the most regional of all global streaming platforms by supporting local production firms in Southeast Asia.
Southeast Asia has had access to Prime Video since 2016, but up until this point, neither the localized interfaces nor the subtitling that are common in more developed regions were available.
As part of its relaunch initiatives in Indonesia, Thailand, and The Philippines, Amazon Prime Video is launching free one-week trials and discounted membership discounts that extend through December 2023 to promote the new services. The reduced memberships will cost 149 Philippine pesos ($2.69), 59,000 Indonesian rupiah ($3.98), and 149 Thai baht ($4.10).
"There has simply never been a better moment to be a content producer or a content consumer in this area of the globe," said Erika North, head of Asia-Pacific Originals at Prime Video. "Southeast Asia is a tapestry of cultures, languages, and history. We believe in collaborating with the most creative and imaginative people in the area to provide the greatest, most genuine, and locally produced stories for our consumers, including Prime Video subscribers worldwide. We are dedicated to supporting the local TV and film industries. This is only the beginning.
Three different iterations of the new situational comedy improv program "Comedy Island" are among the platform's original content. There will be eight comedians and celebrities participating in the new local originals "Comedy Island: Indonesia," "Comedy Island: Thailand," and "Comedy Island: Philippines." In 2023, Prime Video will premiere in more than 240 nations and territories across the world with all three editions.
In addition to the movies "Siege At Thorn High" and "4 Seasons In Java," Indonesian titles including "Ashiap Man," "Perfect Strangers," and the horror movie "Kuntilanak 3" are also available.
"Three Idiots and a Ghost," "Metal Casket," "The 100," "The Up Rank," "My True Friends: The Beginning," and "How To Fake It In Bangkok" are among the Thai movies that will be available locally.
From the comedy-drama "Big Night" to the romantic comedies "How To Love Mr. Heartless" and "Whether The Weather Is Fine," Filipino programming is diverse.
Along with well-known anime series like "Demon Slayer" and "Jujutsu Kaisen 0," viewers will also get access to Korean productions like "Nothing Serious," "Toy Soldiers: Fake Men 2 The Complete," and more.
Other international releases include the just-released movie "Thirteen Lives," which stars Colin Farrell and Viggo Mortensen, the Hollywood blockbuster "No Time to Die," international Amazon Originals like "The Boys," "The Terminal List," and "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power," as well as the licensed American television program "The Good Doctor."
In order to broaden their products and increase subscribers, U.S.-based streaming services like Paramount+ and Disney+ have extended their geographic reach into new nations and regions.
In a collaboration with TVING, Paramount+ debuted in South Korea in June. By 2025, the streamer wants to have 150 foreign originals. Disney+ launched in the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) two months ago, and by the end of its fiscal year in 2023, it hopes to be available in 160+ nations.
