iWorld
AVIA announces governance framework for online curated content services
KOLKATA: The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) has announced the publication of the governance framework for online curated content (OCC) services (hereafter referred to as the “Governance Framework”). The governance framework delivers concrete commitments and standards in order to deepen discussions with APAC regulators and empower consumers in the region.
OCC services are online video streaming services, which offer a fully curated content catalogue. Their unique characteristics distinguish them from other online video services, such as social media and user-generated content, as well as pay TV and broadcast TV. OCC services are operated by professional media companies and have suitable technology at their disposal to more effectively ensure controls and take responsibility for the content they distribute. These services stand ready and available for dialogue with governments, to help build a positive and growing content ecosystem.
OCC services are transforming the way that content is created and consumed in Asia and around the world, expanding markets and options for creators and empowering consumers to safely view the professional content they select whenever, wherever and on whichever device they choose.
A recent YouGov survey of consumers in five Asian markets found that there is a high expectation (62 per cent) that OCC service providers curate their content well with ratings and advisories, but an even higher expectation (77 per cent) that final content control is put in consumers’ hands. A large preponderance of consumers (77 per cent) also believed parental controls or content filters are an important attribute of OCC services.
The new governance framework is designed to meet those expectations. Within its provisions, the framework proposes various industry actions that include robust systems of control by way of parental control features, program ratings, advisories, and consumer feedback mechanisms. It also proposes a notification process overseen by the regulator to ensure accountability, and formal industry-regulator consultations to continue to improve the framework.
Importantly, the survey found that viewers have high expectations for access to the content they seek. The survey found that in reaction to government censorship, 80 per cent of streaming viewer customers would revert to piracy, cancellation or reduction of their use of legal services.
An effective governance framework, rather than heavy regulation, is therefore critical for this dynamic sector providing an accountable framework for legal content consumption. It is designed to encourage growth of the OCC sector, and ensure the progressive adoption of higher standards by a greater number of curated service operators.
AVIA CEO Louis Boswell said, “OCC industry leaders have already demonstrated their commitment to responsibility and ensuring accountability. This framework will help guide our members, and hopefully governments, to act in good faith and closely collaborate as this nascent sector continues to evolve. And, more importantly, it will give consumers confidence in the content provided by the OCC sector without the need for burdensome regulation on top.”
The concept for the governance framework grew from initial discussions at the ASEAN Telecom Regulators Council dialogue, held in Bangkok in September 2017. This forum brought together both regulators as well as industry in dialogue, to create pan-ASEAN solutions. The initial output from this was the subscription video-on-demand industry content code for ASEAN. Similar content codes have also been released in India and Taiwan, creating room for a region-wide framework that puts forward guiding principles for the industry.
AVIA has put these principles forward in the spirit of continued dialogue and engagement between industry, government, civil society and consumer groups. AVIA members look forward to discussing with governments how policy and regulation can be developed to benefit consumers across the Asia-Pacific region and help grow the region’s creative industries.
iWorld
Why Peaky Blinders is one of television’s biggest hits that still deserves more attention
Six seasons, multiple awards and the release of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man bring the Shelby saga back into the spotlight
In the crowded universe of streaming content, only a handful of shows manage to leave a lasting cultural footprint. Peaky Blinders is overwhelmingly considered one of the biggest global hits of the past decade. Yet many viewers still haven’t fully explored the dark, gripping world of the Shelby family.
Originally produced for the UK’s BBC and later finding a massive global audience through Netflix, the series quietly grew from a British period drama into a worldwide streaming phenomenon.
Created by Steven Knight, the show follows the rise of the Shelby crime family in post-First World War Birmingham. What begins as a gritty street-gang story gradually expands into a sweeping narrative about ambition, politics, power and survival.
At the centre of the saga is Thomas Shelby, portrayed with extraordinary depth by Cillian Murphy. The casting of Murphy is widely regarded as perfect for the role. With piercing eyes, restrained dialogue and an almost hypnotic screen presence, he transforms Shelby into one of the most unforgettable characters in modern screen storytelling.
Murphy’s brilliance lies in his restraint. He rarely shouts or performs theatrically. Instead, a quiet stare, a calculated pause or a subtle shift in expression conveys the emotional storms within the character. Beneath the ruthless gang leader is a war veteran carrying trauma, guilt and loneliness. Murphy captures this complexity with remarkable precision, making Thomas Shelby both terrifying and deeply human.
Beyond its central performance, Peaky Blinders stands out for its unfiltered portrayal of reality. The show does not romanticise crime. Instead, it exposes the harsh social conditions of early 20th-century Britain, from poverty and class struggle to political extremism and the psychological scars left by war.
The series also presents powerful female characters who hold their own within the Shelby empire. Polly Gray, played by Helen McCrory, is the strategic backbone of the family and one of the most formidable figures in the story. Women in the series shape decisions, influence power structures and challenge the rigid social norms of the time.
Across six seasons, the narrative grows dramatically in scale. What begins in the smoky streets of Birmingham evolves into a story involving political conspiracies, fascism and international criminal networks.
The series has also earned significant critical acclaim. It won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Drama Series in 2018 and multiple National Television Awards for Best Drama, cementing its reputation as one of Britain’s most celebrated modern shows.
Another defining feature of the series is its iconic music. The show’s opening theme, Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, became instantly recognisable and widely associated with the Shelby universe. Combined with a powerful soundtrack featuring artists such as Arctic Monkeys and Radiohead, the music helped shape the show’s dark, stylish identity and became hugely popular among fans.
And the Shelby story is not over yet.
In fact, its legacy is unfolding right now. The long-awaited feature-length continuation, Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, was released on March 6, 2026, bringing the Shelby universe from streaming screens to cinemas and giving fans a new chapter in the saga.
For viewers who have not yet stepped into this world, the timing could not be better.
Six gripping seasons are ready to binge on Netflix. A new film has just arrived in theatres. And at the heart of it all stands one of the most magnetic performances in modern drama by Cillian Murphy.
So if Peaky Blinders has been sitting on your watchlist for years, this weekend is your moment.
So, by order of the Peaky fookin’ Blinders, consider this your cue to finally step into the ruthless world of Thomas Shelby. Pour yourself a drink, clear your schedule and press the play button. Because when the Peaky Blinders give an order, you listen.
