Music icon David Foster has partnered with new vertical-first platform, Sph3ra (pronounced Sphera), for an Asia version of his latest format, “Karaoke Star”.

Sph3ra, announced at ContentAsia Summit in Taipei, goes live in 2026 with a promise to rewrite the rules of entertainment creation and consumption. Creators and audiences will be rewarded on a daily basis based on clicks, likes, shares and subscribes, and will be able to cash out every month.

Details of the crypto-based system – launched by Paul O’Hanlon, Aaron Bassatt and Philip Middleton –  will be unveiled closer to the launch.

 

A second vertical series, “Alien Asia”, hosted by Justin Bratton and Selena Lo as glitch-era explorers chasing Asia’s myths, mysteries and monsters, is also in development for the new platform, along with an AI-powered dating show, “LoveBytes”, which challenges participants to differentiate between true love and the algorithm.

In addition to providing a space for creators to curate their own content, Sph3ra’s slate includes AI-series, other entertainment formats, podcasts and music.

Developed and operated out of Australia, Sph3ra emerges in an environment of dwindling commissions from traditional platforms and burgeoning demand from creators for alternative outlets and income.

The platform’s creator support network includes seed funding and development backing for vertical-first IP. An open call will be made for content creators, producers and storytellers across the region. The 10 projects selected will each receive AUD$1,000 to support production and distribution.