formats1H2018 Formats Outlook 1H 2018 This page; from top left: Hole in the Wall Viet- nam, Cinta Tiada Ganti Malaysia, Puzzle Masters China, Humans China, Of- fice India, Criminal Justice India, Shilpa Shetty as Host on Hear Me Love Me Opposite page; from top left: Face Men Thailand, Suits Japan, Rich Man, Poor Woman Korea Thailand streaked past Vietnam as Asia’s most vibrant formats market in the first half of this year, with great game in game shows and a strong grasp on reality. The biggest losers across the six months were China and Vietnam. The highlight was Viu’s entry into big-budget scripted formats. Thailand drew ahead of Vietnam as Asia’s formats leader in the first Networks Asia and The Bridge for Hong half of this year with a 26% increase in the number of formats on air, in Kong telco PCCW’s regional streaming production or commissioned for broadcast in 2018/9. While the shift in player Viu. fortunes is a significant win for Thailand, it also heralds a major retreat in Vietnam, traditionally Asia’s highest volume formats market. Viu’s entry into big-budget premium scripted formats with the first Asian Overall, the formats acquisition business in the region shrank by 12%, version of Endemol Shine’s European from 285 titles in the first six months of 2017 to 251 this year. Of the 15 drama format was a highlight during countries covered in our study, eight were down, five were up and two the six months. The 10-episode crime (Singapore and Sri Lanka) were level with last year. thriller series, produced by Malaysia’s Regional formats were also down from five last year (Asia’s Got Tal- ent 2 and 3, Asia’s Next Top Model 5, the first edition of Say Yes to the Double Vision, airs on Viu later this year. Dress and How Do I Look? Asia 3) as some regional networks pressed After Vietnam, the other big for- pause on larger original production initiates. The three regional titles on mats loser in the first half of this year our radar this year include Asia’s Got Talent 3 for Sony Pictures Television was China, which dipped from 39 titles 10 contentasia issue four, august 2018