iWorld
Korea’s VoD market tops $1.1 bn as Netflix stays ahead, TVING–Wavve plot fightback
SEOUL: South Korea’s premium video-on-demand market hit $1.1 billion (€0.94 billion) in the first half of 2025, with paid SVoD subscriptions climbing to 24.5 million after 1.5 million net additions, according to data from ampd, the measurement arm of Media Partners Asia (MPA).
Growth was led by scale players and turbocharged by connected TV measurement, introduced in the second quarter. This added roughly 35 per cent more monthly active users per platform and nearly doubled measured viewing hours to 1.2 billion.
Netflix retained the crown with 8.2 million subscribers and 47 per cent of premium VoD viewership, fuelled by Squid Game season three, a steady pipeline of licensed films, and its Naver Plus tie-up offering the ad-supported standard plan free to members. TVing posted the biggest net gains thanks to a low-priced ad tier, drama and variety hits, and live sport. Coupang Play grew with a free ad-supported tier and its Sports Pass, while June’s TVING–Wavve merger sets up a 9.2 million-subscriber challenger to Netflix by year-end.
“Korea’s premium VoD sector is consolidating around a handful of scaled leaders,” said MPA executive director Vivek Couto. “Local storytelling remains the foundation of engagement and monetisation, while CTV is unlocking new audiences and advertising opportunities.”
Local content dominated, accounting for 86 per cent of all viewing hours in Q2, led by dramas (48 per cent) and variety/reality shows (27 per cent). US films were the largest foreign category at just six per cent.
“K-dramas, comedy and variety shows drive cross-platform reach,” said MPA and ampd lead analyst Dhivya T. “Ad tiers are now central to subscriber growth, especially in urban and price-sensitive segments.”
iWorld
Prime Video unveils biggest India originals slate yet
Nearly 55 titles across languages signal deeper push into films, series
MUMBAI: Prime Video is turning up the volume on Indian storytelling, unveiling its largest-ever Originals slate at the ‘Prime Video Presents’ showcase, with close to 55 series and films spanning languages, genres and formats.
The new lineup, which stretches across Hindi, Tamil and Telugu, signals a clear intent: go bigger, go wider, and meet audiences wherever they are watching, whether on streaming screens or in cinemas. Alongside Originals, the platform also announced a fresh theatrical slate under Amazon MGM Studios, marking a deeper step into the big-screen business.
Among the headline acts is The Revolutionaries, a large-scale drama from Nikkhil Advani starring Bhuvan Bam and Rohit Saraf. The slate also features Matka King with Vijay Varma, Raakh starring Ali Fazal and Sonali Bendre, and Lukkhe, which marks rapper King’s acting debut. Adding a genre twist is Vansh – The Kalyug Warriors, positioned as India’s first homegrown Hindi superhero series for streaming.
Familiar favourites are also making a return, with new seasons of Farzi, Panchayat, Call Me Bae, Dupahiya, Dahaad and The Traitors in the pipeline, reinforcing the platform’s bet on established franchises.
Regional storytelling gets a notable push. Highlights include a Telugu adaptation of The Traitors hosted by Teja Sajja, the drama Guvvala Cheruvu Ghat, and Tamil titles such as Exam and returning seasons of Vadhandhi and Inspector Rishi.
The slate also opens new creative partnerships. Hrithik Roshan’s HRX Films steps into streaming with Storm and Mess, while Alia Bhatt’s Eternal Sunshine Productions backs Don’t Be Shy. Production houses including Excel Entertainment, Tiger Baby Films and The Viral Fever further deepen the creative bench.
On the theatrical front, the platform is lining up five films, including Raftaar starring Rajkummar Rao and Keerthy Suresh, VIBE directed by Kunal Kemmu, Dilkashi with music by A. R. Rahman, Nayyi Navelli featuring Yami Gautam, and Kuku Ki Kundli starring Wamiqa Gabbi.
According to Prime Video India director and head of Svod business Shilangi Mukherji, India remains central to the platform’s global growth, ranking among its top markets for new subscribers. She noted that nearly two-thirds of users watch content in more than four languages, underlining a growing appetite for diverse storytelling.
Prime Video India director and head of originals Nikhil Madhok, said the new slate reflects a continued push towards bold, culturally rooted narratives with global appeal.
In short, Prime Video is not just adding titles, it is widening the lens. From small-town dramas to superhero sagas and cinema-ready spectacles, the message is simple: more stories, more voices, and far more ways to watch them.
