PCCW’s Viu adds content from JTBC to Korean line-up

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PCCW’s pan-regional streaming service Viu has signed a deal with Korea’s JTBC that will give its viewers access to more than 80% of the cable broadcaster’s drama series and variety shows.

It marks the largest regional content volume deal that JTBC has signed in Asia. Along with its deals with Korean studio CJ E&M and broadcasters KBS, MBC and SBS, Viu now claims to have the largest volume of Korean drama series and variety shows in Southeast Asia.

Viu will stream JTBC shows such as Misty (pictured), starring Kim Nam-joo and Ji Jin-hee, and Welcome to Waikiki, starring Kim Jung-hyun, Lee Yi-kyung and Son Seung-won.

Misty tells the story of a former prosecutor turned defense attorney who represents his wife, a popular anchorwoman, who is suspected of murder. Welcome To Waikiki follows three young people pursuing their dreams while managing a boarding house named Waikiki.

JTBC signature titles such as Strong Girl Bong-soonThe Lady In DignitySecret Healer and others will also be available on Viu. Variety shows from the Korean broadcaster include Chef & My Fridge, which features famous chefs such as Gordon Ramsay as they probe the contents of Korean celebrities’ fridges, Men On A Mission and Midnight Madness.

The shows will be subtitled in local languages and broadcast as fast as four hours after their premiere in South Korea.

JTBC Content Hub CEO Jung Kyung-moon said: “While we will continue to maintain our premium standards in all our productions, we are very pleased to collaborate with Viu, one of Asia’s foremost OTT video services, so that our programs could access a bigger audience across the region with Viu’s highly engaged user base.”

Viu is currently available in 15 markets across Asia and the Middle East.