iWorld
Nippon TV secures their first format deals in Malaysia
Mumbai: Japan’s multiplatform entertainment powerhouse – Nippon TV has announced that they have finalised a deal with Astro, Malaysia’s content and entertainment company which has acquired the rights to Nippon TV’s award-winning scripted formats Love’s In Sight! (60 min. eps.) and Homeroom (60 min. eps.). Juita Viden, one of Malaysia’s largest independent distributors of local and international content, brokered the Malaysian adaptation deal for both formats. Astro is set to air the Malay-language version of Love’s In Sight! (Dari Mata Turun ke Hati in Malaysia) starting 12 August and Homeroom (Kelas Tahanan Cikgu Hiragi in Malaysia) to follow. The announcement has been made by Nippon TV’s format licensing and content business – Sally Yamamoto.
Astro vice president of Malay, international, kids & on-demand Azlin Reza Azmi said, “We are very excited to partner with Nippon TV to bring two award-winning Japanese scripted series to our Malaysian audience. Astro is constantly looking to create content based on rich characters and stories to exceed our customers’ growing expectations of compelling storytelling at high production values. This partnership reflects our commitment to bringing high-quality entertainment to our customers. The upcoming series, Dari Mata Turun ke Hati and Kelas Tahanan Cikgu Hiragi are adaptations of the hit series and will retain the core elements that have made them successful in Japan, with a local twist to resonate with our Malaysian audience. With the localization of these series featuring fresh and prominent local talents, we aim to keep our customers engaged with more ways to watch celebrated worldwide series through relevant local context, expressions, and creativity.”
“We are delighted to be announcing two first-time format deals in Malaysia for Love’s In Sight! as well as Homeroom, thanks to the enthusiasm of our partners in Malaysia, Astro – which have shared our passion for these exciting adaptations,” commented Yamamoto. “Love’s In Sight!, based on a hit manga, vividly depicts the lives of social minorities and is full of love, laughter, and emotional moments. Homeroom, already adapted in Turkey and Thailand, is set to provoke thoughtful discussions among the Malaysian audience. With Mother now adapted in eight countries, Nippon TV will keep committing to share unique stories to the global content landscape.”
iWorld
Meta launches AI connectors for ads in open beta
Tools enable campaign creation, reporting and insights via AI platforms.
MUMBAI: If ads were once about gut feel, Meta now wants them run on autopilot with AI riding shotgun. The company has unveiled its Meta ads AI connectors in open beta, a move aimed at embedding campaign creation, management and analysis directly into the AI tools advertisers already use. The push reflects a broader shift in digital advertising: from platform-led workflows to AI-assisted, cross-tool execution.
At the heart of the rollout are Meta’s ads model context protocol (MCP) server and a command line interface (CLI), which together allow advertisers to securely link their ad accounts to AI agents. The promise is straightforward real campaign data, not generic prompts, powering decisions across workflows.
The connectors are designed to streamline multiple layers of campaign management. Advertisers can generate detailed performance reports, create and edit campaigns using natural language, manage product catalogues, and diagnose signal quality, all without leaving their preferred AI environment.
Meta is also leaning into ease of adoption. For MCP, the company says setup requires no coding, developer credentials or API integrations, positioning the tools as accessible for businesses of varying sizes and technical maturity.
The launch complements Meta’s existing AI business assistant within Ads Manager, which focuses on recommendations and troubleshooting inside the platform. The connectors, by contrast, extend that intelligence outward into third-party AI tools that marketers increasingly rely on for cross-channel planning and automation.
The underlying strategy is clear: instead of forcing advertisers deeper into its ecosystem, Meta is meeting them where they already work while still keeping its data and ad infrastructure at the core of decision-making.
As AI continues to reshape how campaigns are conceived and executed, Meta’s latest move signals a future where managing ads may feel less like operating software and more like having a conversation.
