Local OTT service provider signs partnership with U.S. media giant on content supply

SEOUL, April 12 (Yonhap) -- A South Korean over-the-top (OTT) service provider said Sunday it has signed a partnership with a U.S. mass media giant on content supply and development.

Content Wavve Corp., which runs the OTT platform Wavve, said it has joined hands with NBCUniversal Media LLC (NBCU) to explore better business opportunities in the global OTT market.

OTT refers to streaming media services that allow people to watch video content over the internet.

Under the deal, Content Wavve, a joint venture between South Korea's three terrestrial broadcasters -- KBS, MBC and SBS -- and leading mobile carrier SK Telecom Co., will supply its original content, including movies and dramas, to NBCU for the next three years.

The company will recommend various Korean films and dramas to NBCU, which will select and distribute them globally via its media platforms.

NBCU, a subsidiary of U.S. telecommunications conglomerate Comcast Corp., operates various TV networks across the globe. It also runs a major Hollywood film studio, Universal Pictures.

According to Content Wavve, its "hallyu" content, referring to the Korean Wave of culture products, could be provided by Peacock, NBCU's OTT platform, this month at the earliest.

The two sides also agreed to invest together in content production and development.

Content Wavve said it plans to inject 60 billion won (US$49 million) this year in original content production, considering its films and dramas can be now seen globally.

Content Wavve, which began OTT service in September 2019, said the partnership will bring a positive impact to the local content developers since it has opened doors for them to target foreign viewers.

kdon@yna.co.kr
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