Amazon is to launch local versions of its Amazon Video streaming service in three countries in Southeast Asia. It will monitor the business initiative with new internal funding.
The service will start in Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines from Monday. Viewers will be offered a seven-day free trial, followed by introductory discounts of IDR59,000 ($3.98), THB149 ($4.10) and PHP149 PHP ($2.69) per month valid until the end of the year.
While customers in these countries have already been able to use Amazon for online shopping, the Amazon Prime shopping membership system, which Prime Video is linked to in developed markets, is not available. Also Prime Minister Video’s video service does not provide subtitles or user experience, such as subtitles or a local language user interface, in Southeast Asia.
Local marketing campaigns will be led by celebrities Iqbal Ramadhan, Chicco Kurniawan and Kiky Saputri from Indonesia, Mario Maurer from Thailand, and Anne Curtis from the Philippines.
The company highlighted three comedy series adaptations – “Comic Island: Indonesia,” “Comic Island: Thailand,” and “Comic Island: Philippines,” available starting in 2023.
It started developing several original products in Indonesia and Thailand. Among these is the full-length “Seige At Thorn High,” to be directed by Joko Anwar, who is in the development of Come & See Pictures. The film “4 Seasons in Java,” written by Indonesia’s Kamila Andini is in development at Four Colors Films.
In Thailand, the movie “Three Idiots and A Ghost,” based on the novel by Sal Kim and published by Wattpad with Jungka Bangkok producing is in development. Also scripted series “Metal Casket” from writer-director Banjong Pisanthanakun (“Shutter,” The Medium); and “How to Fake Bangkok,” from Halo Productions, with Ananda Everingham executive producing. removal.
The initial offering will include content from domestically licensed, popular Korean titles and anime hits.
Indonesian highlights include: “The Perfect Stranger” (available October 17), a remake of the popular Italian film, starring Vino G. Bastian, Adipati Dolken and Darius Sinathrya; “Ashiap Man” (from November 14), directed by Atta Halilintar; and the horror film “Kuntilanak 3” (out Oct. 10) directed by Rizal Mantovani and starring Julie Estelle.
Thai highlights include: “The 100” (from December 12), a drama set at the height of tragedy starring Mike Angelo; “The Up Rank” (from November 14), an upcoming drama starring Krit Jeerapattananuwong; and “My Real Friends: The Beginning,” an action drama based on a true story set in the 1980s starring Ryu Vachirawich and Nak Charlie Trairat.
Highlights from the Philippines include Jun Lana’s drama “Big Night”; “How to Love Mr. Heartless” (out Aug. 15), romance Sue Ramirez; and the reality drama “If the Weather’s Nice,” (out October 10) with Daniel Padilla.
Korean content is a priority for many viewers in Southeast Asia. The platform will present the romantic film “Nothing Dangerous” and the 2021 film “Toy Soldiers: Fake Men 2 The Complete” (from August).
The series will also have the anime hit “Demon Slayer” and the 2021 Japanese box office winner “Jujutsu Kaisen 0” (from December 21).
Also available will be Amazon Original international “The Boys” and “Terminal List”; US licensed show “The Good Doctor” seasons 1-5. Next up will be “The Lord of the Rings: The Ring of Power” (opening September 2).
And for local convenience, Prime Video will show Ron Howard’s new film “Tirteen Lives” on August 5. The film shows a rescue mission in Thailand in Chiang Rai where a football team and their coach are trapped in flooded ditches.
