SINGAPORE — Global video streaming service Prime Video announced it will be increasing its investment for customers in the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia. Beginning today, customers will find a localized content slate and user experience (in local language) on Prime Video and the Prime Video app. The streaming service also underlined its commitment to the local creative community by revealing the first local Original Comedy Island: Philippines and exclusive licensing deals for local, Korean, and anime titles. The news comes as Prime Video launches its first local marketing campaign featuring superstar Anne Curtis in the country.
For an introductory offer of PHP 149 per month, after a seven-day free trial, viewers in the Philippines can sign up for a Prime Video membership and enjoy a great selection of entertainment, from Original productions created by local production companies, local licensed top titles, Korean content, global Amazon Original movies and TV series, and popular Hollywood titles. Prime Video members can stream, download, and watch anytime, anywhere through the Prime Video app on compatible mobile devices, tablets, Smart TVs, or online at PrimeVideo.com.
“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,” said Josh McIvor, director of International Expansion, Prime Video. “Our support of local production companies in Southeast Asia is a significant step towards our broader international expansion plans and our ambition to become the most local of global streaming services.”
Increasing investment in local Original content and licensed content
The first local Amazon Original Comedy Island: Philippines is a unique, off-the-wall situational improvisation comedy challenge show. In Comedy Island: Philippines, the mysterious island of Tawa-Tawa reappears after 100 years to commence the so-called ‘centennial games’ starring the best 8 players, consisting of comedians and celebrities. Only one will emerge as winner and will receive an essential gift that humanity needs. Comedy Island: Philippines will be will be produced by Base Entertainment and launch on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories around the world in 2023.
The new local Originals are supported by local licensing deals as well as popular exclusive Korean titles and anime hits. Local highlights include Big Night, a dramedy starring Christian Bables and directed by Jun Lana, How To Love Mr. Heartless (launching August 15), a romance starring Sue Ramirez, and award-winning surreal drama Whether The Weather Is Fine (launching October 10) starring Daniel Padilla.
Viewers in the Philippines will also be able to enjoy popular Korean titles such as Nothing Serious (streaming today), a romantic film featuring Jeon Jong-seo, Son Seok-gu and Gong Min-jung, and Toy Soldiers: Fake Men 2 The Complete featuring Julien Kang which will launch on Prime Video in August. The slate is complemented by exclusive anime hits such as Demon Slayer and Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (launching December 21), the number one title in Japanese theatres in 2021.
All this is on top of Hollywood Blockbusters such as No Time to Die (streaming today), global Amazon Originals like The Boys, The Terminal List, licensed US hit shows such as The Good Doctor, and the highly anticipated The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (launching September 02). On August 05, Prime Video will premiere the new Ron Howard movie Thirteen Lives starring Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell. Thirteen Lives premieres on August 05, and recounts the incredible true story of the tremendous global effort to rescue a Thai soccer team who became trapped in the Tham Luang cave during an unexpected rainstorm.
“Southeast Asia is a tapestry of cultures, languages, and histories, and there has truly never been a better time to be a content creator or a content consumer in this part of the world. We are thrilled to be bringing our first local Amazon Original featuring Filipino talent, the hilarious world of Comedy Island, to customers around the world. This will complement our growing selection of local and Korean series and movies, alongside our amazing global content on Prime Video,” said Erika North, head of Asia-Pacific Originals, Prime Video.
“We are committed to supporting the local TV and film industry and working with the most innovative creative talent in the region to bring the very best, most authentic and local storytelling to life, for our customers not only in the region but also Prime Video members around the world. This is just the start.”
First local marketing campaign featuring superstar Anne Curtis
Prime Video today also launched its first marketing campaign created in cooperation with local producers. Featuring local superstar Anne Curtis, the campaign introduces Prime Video to local audiences as a premium video streaming service that entertains, delights and engages. The first campaign plays with the stereotype that the Filipinos are always late – and self-ironically claims that Prime Video is no different. Prime Video is indeed late to the region, but it definitely was worth the wait just like all things fabulous. The campaign highlights the different content pillars that will make Prime Video the home of entertainment: strong local content, the most loved regional content featuring Korean and Anime titles, and US hits.
