Internet cinemas have switched to Asian series

As reported by streaming platforms, users of online cinemas are increasingly reaching for Asian films and series. The increase in interest takes place against the background of a decrease in the number of domestic premieres, as the most anticipated projects are postponed to the autumn, Kommersant informs.

Users started seeing projects from Asia and South America 46% more often. According to Kion, which is owned by MTS, interest in Chinese content has increased 4.5 times, Japanese content by 41%, and movies and TV shows produced in South Korea are watched 19% more often.

Okko Cinema noted that Korean TV shows saw the most growth, with Korean content doubling. Wink also sees positive momentum, especially with content from South Korea, Turkey and Latin America.

In the second quarter of 2023, the number of premieres of original Russian series decreased, and major premieres were postponed to the autumn period. Previously, this niche was filled by foreign projects, but after the departure of the main players, gaps appeared in the market.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the largest Hollywood studios have stopped working in Russia: Walt Disney Company (including Marvel, Pixar, Lucasfilm, Maker Studios, etc.), Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, Paramount and Warner Bros. According to the forecasts of the Association of Cinema Owners of Russia, without Hollywood, the cinema market will lose up to 80% of its profits. In March 2022, a quarter of the country’s cinemas were closed in Toluo. Access for Russians has been blocked by streaming services Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+.

Experts note that the growing interest in Asian series may be due to their unique plot, quality of cinematography and unpredictability of plot twists. Asian series are becoming more and more popular among the Russian audience, which, in search of new and expressive sensations, turns to the productions of Asian and South American countries. However, in general, in June, the interest in TV programs among the Russian audience decreased, and Asian projects could not fully compensate for the outflow of viewers.