BMA has learnt that the Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BBC Studios and Southeast Asian OTT platform Viu to enhance the production, investment and global distribution of broadcast and video content.
The agreement was formalised at the ‘Broadcast Worldwide (BCWW) 2024 event in Seoul, attended by KOCCA President Hyun-rae Jo, BBC Studios Asia SVP Ryan Shiotani and Viu COO Lofai Lo. This collaboration addresses rising production costs and the decline in factual content while ensuring K-content’s overseas expansion and genre diversity.
The MOU outlines a cooperative framework for creating and distributing shows globally. It also sets the stage for BBC Studios and Viu to collaborate on various aspects of content development, address market challenges, and promote a fair ecosystem in the broadcast and video content industry.
This partnership aligns with the BBC’s upcoming launch of the reality series Made in Korea, where aspiring K-Pop stars compete to form a band. With the MoU in place, KOCCA aims to secure K-content’s global reach, while BBC Studios and Viu continue to expand their influence in the dynamic Korean creative industry.
Speaking about the deal, Hyun-rae Jo said: “The collaboration with BBC Studios and Viu will be a significant turning point in expanding the global reach of K-content.”
Ryan Shiotani, SVP of Content, BBC Studios Asia, added: “South Korea is a dynamic creative industry, and we know there are lots of brilliant Korean stories waiting to be told to a wider audience. Our new collaboration with KOCCA to develop, co-produce and distribute Korean documentaries will contribute to the future of the global broadcast and video content industry.”
