Warner Bros. Discovery and CJ ENM Form Strategic Partnership to Expand K-Content Reach

Warner Bros. Discovery and CJ ENM have announced an extensive multi-year collaboration that will deliver a wealth of Korean dramas and entertainment to HBO Max subscribers throughout the Asia Pacific region, highlighting one of the most notable partnerships between a major Hollywood studio and a leading Korean entertainment firm.

As part of this agreement, HBO Max will serve as the streaming platform for Tving — the Korean streaming service affiliated with CJ ENM — in 17 regions across Asia Pacific, which includes Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. This collaboration entails the introduction of a dedicated Tving hub on HBO Max set to launch in early 2026, featuring exclusive premieres of new K-drama originals as well as hundreds of hours of scripted and unscripted content from both CJ ENM and TVING’s library.

Before the hub officially opens, HBO Max plans to roll out K-content titles starting in November, highlighted by the launch of the much-anticipated drama “Dear X” on November 6.

The companies will also engage in co-investment and co-production of original Korean dramas aimed at global distribution on HBO Max, creating a robust development pipeline to satisfy the increasing international demand for Korean narratives.

“We are proud to partner with CJ ENM, an industry leader in crafting universally appealing stories that connect with audiences around the globe,” remarked David Zaslav, president and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery. “This partnership is foundational to our dedication to delivering compelling locally-relevant narratives in crucial markets worldwide.”

Miky Lee, vice chair of CJ Group, expressed, “K-content captivates audiences worldwide with its unique creativity and originality. At CJ ENM, we aim to unite people through the art of storytelling. This collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery elevates that mission, combining their storytelling heritage with CJ’s distinctive voice. Together, we will offer authentic stories that transcend borders, allowing fans to explore new favorites, relive timeless classics, and enjoy the finest in global entertainment.”

This deal underscores a strategic investment in Korean content by Warner Bros. Discovery, which seeks to bolster HBO Max’s presence in competitive Asian markets. For CJ ENM, it provides a powerful platform to broaden the distribution of its content library and the TVING service beyond its home market.

“HBO Max is the go-to platform for unique, premium storytelling, and this partnership with CJ ENM, a frontrunner in the wildly popular K-content genre, aligns seamlessly with our strategy and brand,” stated JB Perrette, CEO and president of global streaming and games at Warner Bros. Discovery.

Founded in 2020, Tving has quickly positioned itself as a leader in Korea’s streaming realm and is in the process of merging with Wavve, another significant Korean streaming entity. As of August, Tving reported 7.56 million monthly active users, marking a 4.7% growth since May. The combined user base of Tving and Wavve is nearing 10 million.

The platform has cultivated a reputation for its celebrated original series that have found success internationally. Tving’s “Death’s Game” has emerged as one of the standout K-dramas of 2024, while “Pyramid Game” was the sole Korean entry recognized at Series Mania 2024, Europe’s largest TV series event. Furthermore, “Bargain” received the best screenplay accolade at the 2023 Cannes International Series Festival, marking it as the first Korean streaming original series to earn recognition at this competition.

Pious Jung, CEO of CJ America and president of global content business for CJ ENM, stated, “CJ ENM has been at the forefront of K-content development and global expansion for the past three decades, establishing itself as a significant player in the global IP landscape. Through our extensive collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery, we aim to foster the sustainable growth of K-culture, which has become a way of life for many around the world.”

Additional information regarding the Tving branded hub and its content offerings will be announced in the upcoming months.