Vietnam, Thailand and China continue to top Asia’s formats market by volume, with 52% of the total number of formats on air in first half 2017 or commissioned for broadcast in 2017/2018. The total formats count is up on 2016, with more than 280 titles on air or commissioned by end June 2017.

Vietnam, Thailand and China led Asia’s formats market in the first half of this year. The three markets account for a combined share of 52% (148 titles) of the total 285 shows on air, in production or commissioned for broadcast in 2017/2018, according to ContentAsia’s Formats Outlook for first half 2017. The three markets also topped the list in the first six months of 2016, although their share has dropped from 51%.

ContentAsia’s Formats Outlook this year puts Vietnam on top by volume of the 17 countries being tracked. Vietnam has 67 titles (24% of 285 titles), 15 titles up from 52 in 1H 2016 (1H 2016: 20% of 258 titles). This year’s new titles include season one and two of Shark Tank, the local version of international franchise Dragons’ Den from Japan; and She Was Pretty Vietnam, a local remake of the Korean drama series.

Thailand was second by volume for the first half of the year, with 42 titles (15% of 285 titles), including reality modelling The Face Men Thailand, the male version of The Face. The show has aired on free-TV station Channel 3 since July. Thailand also ranked second in 1H 2016, with 36 titles, six down from this year’s count (1H 2016: 14% share of 258 titles).

China remains in the third spot this year with 39 titles (14% of the total), only five less than last year, according to data provided by rights holders and distributors. This is despite serious disruption to the business by regulations that mandate IP ownership rests with the Chinese party and a ban on all things Korean. We’re expecting co-development, a new generation of partnerships, and other creative deal-making to continue while the current set of regulations are in place. Japan plays a significant role in drama adaptations in mainland China. Current activity is driven by Fuji TV formats, including Operation Love China, A Restaurant With Many Problems China, Dating: What’s it like to be in Love? China and First Class China.

Cambodia was up by one title this year, ending June in fifth place (23 titles) from 22 titles in 2016.

Philippines (20 titles, 7% share) and Indonesia (19 title, 7%) are all level with the first half of 2016.

Taiwan was included in this year’s Formats Outlook with one title – Absolute Wild With Bear Grylls. The survival adventure show premiered in June this year on Discovery Channel.

Endemol Shine (55 titles, 19% share) and FremantleMedia (55 titles, 19%) tied for first place for the first six months on 2017, separated by more than 30 titles from their closest rivals Talpa (with 24 titles, 8% share) and Keshet International (with 20 titles, 7% share).

Source: Distributors/rights holders, broadcasters, ContentAsia Notes: 1H 2017 data updated as of 22 August 2017. Titles were on air or premiered in 2017, or were commissioned for broadcast in 2017/8 in Asia. Does not include: format options, titles/formats created solely for a sponsor/s, and shows created by broadcasters for their own channels that have not been sold as formats to anyone else. All distributors and formats rights holders were given equal opportunity to participate.

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Published on Issue Four of ContentAsia's inprint+online (7 September 2017)