Viacom International Media Networks Asia has agreed a multi-year Nickelodeon content deal with LeEco, one of the biggest Internet VoD platforms in China.
The deal gives Le Eco exclusive broadcast rights for Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards from the U.S., the first time the show will air in China. It also gives Le Eco exclusive OTT rights for selected Mandarin-dubbed and subtitled Nickelodeon episodes.
"With the explosion of multiplatform distribution capabilities in China in recent years, today’s announcement reinforces our place as a key media content provider in China," said Mark Whitehead, executive VP and MD, VIMN Asia, at the APOS conference in Indonesia.
"Nickelodeon’s content has strong appeal and relevance with the Chinese audience and look forward to showcasing such international children’s programming to our LeEco VIP subscribers," said Zhang Zhao, CEO of Le Vision Pictures, and president of Eco Entertainment Business Group.
In Japan, VIMN revealed that it has begun working with AbemaTV to introduce MTV HITS, a curated international music channel on the Internet TV station. Backed by CyberAgent and TV Asahi, AbemaTV is a new advertising-supported OTT multi-channel linear platform in Japan with more than 10 million views per day. The MTV content includes international music videos, playlists, artists’ specials and thematic-based music videos.
VIMN Asia is also launching three original commissions for MTV and Comedy Central. From August, it will air its first Asia original for Comedy Central Asia, "Comedy Central Presents Stand-up Asia," a music video dance show "Ok Danceoke," and a regional artist monthly, "MTV Asia Spotlight." The comedy show is an eight-part co-production with Malaysia’s LOL Central.