Amazon will launch a variety of local video streaming platforms in three countries in Southeast Asia. It will follow a business plan with new investments in local content.
The service will be launched in Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines from Monday. Viewers will be offered a seven-day free trial, followed by an introductory discount of IDR59,000 ($3.98), THB149 ($4.10) and PHP149 PHP ($2.69) per month valid until the end of the year.
While users in these countries have previously been able to use Amazon to shop online across borders, the Amazon Prime shopping membership system, which Prime Video is linked to in developed markets, has not. Nor does Prime Video’s streaming service provide unique content or user experiences, such as subtitles or local language user interfaces, in Southeast Asia.
Local marketing campaigns will be led by celebrities Iqbaal Ramadhan, Chicco Kurniawan and Kiky Saputri in Indonesia, Mario Maurer in Thailand, and Anne Curtis in the Philippines.
The company has highlighted the different types of challenges to develop the environment – “Comedy Island: Indonesia,” “Comedy Island: Thailand,” and “Comedy Island: Philippines,” which will be available from 2023.
He started developing many original products in Indonesia and Thailand. These include the feature-length “Seige At Thorn High,” directed by Joko Anwar, which continues at Come & See Pictures. The film “4 Seasons in Java,” written by Kamila Andini of Indonesia, continues in four color films.
In Thailand, the movie “Three Idiots and A Ghost,” which is based on the book written by Sal Kim and published by Wattpad with Jungka Bangkok production is in progress. Also written is the “Steel Casket” series from writer-director Banjong Pisanthanakun (“Shutter,” The Medium); and “How to Lie in Bangkok,” from Halo Productions, with Ananda Everingham executive producing.
The offering to be launched will include locally licensed content, popular Korean titles and anime.
Local Indonesian highlights include: “The Perfect Stranger” (available October 17), a remake of the 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” (from October 10) directed by Rizal Mantovani and starring Julie Estelle.
Thai highlights include: “The 100” (from December 12), a thriller set at the height of the tragedy of the star Mike Angelo; “The Up Rank” (from November 14), the upcoming comedy drama starring Krit Jeerapattananuwong; and “My Real Friends: The Beginning,” a drama based on a true story set in the 1980s with Ryu Vachirawich and Nak Charlie Trairat.
Highlights in the Philippines include Jun Lana’s performance “Big Night”; “How to Love Mr. Heart” (from August 15), romance with Sue Ramirez; and the reality show “Even the Weather Is Good,” (from October 10) with Daniel Padilla.
Korean content is a priority for many Southeast Asian viewers. The platform will offer the romantic movie “Nothing Matters” and the 2021 movie “Soldiers of Play: Fake Men 2 The Complete” (from August).
The roster will also have the anime hit “Demon Slayer” and the 2021 Japanese box office champion “Jujutsu Kaisen 0” (from Dec. 21).
Also available will be the international Amazon Original “The Boys” and “Series Finale”; Licensed US show “The Good Doctor” seasons 1-5. Next up will be “The Lord of the Rings: The Lord of the Rings” (debuting September 2).
And with domestic convenience, the Prime Minister will premiere Ron Howard’s new film “Thirteen Lives” on August 5. The film shows the rescue operation in Chiang Rai, Thailand where the football team and their coach got caught in the rivers.
