Leaders from Netflix, Prime Video, Disney, and Warner Bros. Discovery gathered at APOS 2026 in Bali this week, united in the belief that Asian intellectual property and local narratives have evolved from regional interests into the streaming industry’s key global assets.
In the discussion titled “Asia’s Streaming Advantage: Growth, Profitability and What’s Next,” Minyoung Kim, Netflix’s VP of content for APAC (excluding India); Gaurav Gandhi, Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios VP for APAC and ANZ; Tony Zameczkowski, Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific senior VP and general manager of direct-to-consumer; and James Gibbons, Warner Bros. Discovery president APAC, shared insights on how their platforms are navigating the increasingly competitive regional landscape.
For Netflix, the strategy in APAC is built on local content. Kim, describing her approach as akin to managing a portfolio, highlighted successful ventures in Korea, Japan, and India. While local productions are crucial for audience growth, she observed that Asian viewers are more open to international content and global franchises.
Gandhi emphasized Asia’s role as a major content hub, noting Prime Video’s tailored strategies for different markets. In Japan, where many users are transitioning from traditional TV, the platform has ventured into live sports. Meanwhile, in India, viewing habits guide investment, with a focus on balancing scale and long-term viability.
Zameczkowski pointed out that high-quality, talent-driven storytelling is a reliable engine for growth. He also underscored the significance of strategic partnerships, such as Disney’s collaboration with Hulu Japan and ESPN’s distribution via Disney+ in regions like Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
James Gibbons of Warner Bros. Discovery praised the lasting impact of established franchises, using “Harry Potter” as an example of how devoted fan communities can generate value across multiple platforms and formats.
Gibbons remarked, “When you have a great fan base, they become the center of the equation,” highlighting that markets like Japan and China continue to show the commercial strength of content driven by fandom.
When asked about which content categories are likely to achieve global success in the future, executives pointed to Japanese live-action adaptations and Asian IP. Kim forecasted that Japanese live-action and Thai productions are set for wider international acclaim, a sentiment echoed by Zameczkowski regarding Japanese IP’s growing global allure.
Gandhi noted that drama remains the most likely genre to transcend borders and resonate with mainstream audiences, stressing the increasing value of IP in the fiercely competitive streaming sector.
Gibbons also identified vertical-format storytelling as a potential trend that could significantly influence audience engagement in the near future.
