Warner Bros. Discovery, Taiwan Mobile and the Taiwan Creative Content Agency have signed a multi-year memorandum of understanding to create and distribute Taiwanese original content locally and across international markets.
The MOU, signed in advance of next week’s TCCF event, combines the expertise and reach of the three companies to develop, produce and distribute local IP and content for both local and global audiences. Specific details about upcoming projects flowing from the MOU were not announced.
WBD has produced several scripted and unscripted Taiwanese shows in the past five years for its networks and streaming services. Local HBO scripted originals include “The Teenage Psychic,” “Dream Raider,” “Trinity of Shadows,” “The World Between Us,” “Adventure of the Ring” and “Who’s by Your Side,” which are available through the conglomerate’s regional streaming service HBO GO in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. In the factual and documentary space, WBD’s unscripted shows include “Beating COVID 19,” “Master Class” and the “Taiwan Revealed” series, which have aired on various networks in Southeast Asia.
Taiwan Mobile has invested in over 40 productions, including “Tears on Fire,” “Magician on the Skywalk” and “The Victims’ Game.” It previously partnered with WBD on the HBO Asia co-production “Workers,” which received nine nominations and four awards at the Golden Bell Awards in 2021.
Taiwan Mobile is also behind local streaming platform, MyVideo, which carried a mix of higher-quality local film and video content.
TAICCA was established by the Ministry of Culture to support creative content production by offering funds for co-production and investment in development projects and companies.
Taiwan’s content industry has been flourishing in recent years with diverse IP and impressive ratings internationally for film, television and music projects – particularly in mainland China, Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong, and the Chinese-speaking territories of Southeast Asia.
The recently announced Cultural Kuroshio Current (a reference to the powerful marine current) project noted the potential further growth of Taiwan’s cultural content, particularly in Asia Pacific.