Korean OTT platform Tving to expand into 17 Asia-Pacific markets including Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia through HBO Max

Warner Bros. Discovery and CJ ENM have revealed a sweeping multi-year partnership that will bring a pipeline of Korean drama and entertainment to HBO Max subscribers across Asia Pacific, marking one of the most significant collaborations between a Hollywood studio and a Korean content powerhouse.

Under the agreement, the companies will pursue comprehensive collaboration including joint planning and production of K-content, launching a Tving brand hub within HBO Max across 17 Asia-Pacific markets including Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia, and expanding global distribution.

The partnership is particularly significant as it goes beyond simple content collaboration to include platform expansion, strengthening the sustainability of K-content.

Platform Expansion to Asia-Pacific

OTT platform Tving will make its first entry into the Asia-Pacific market through a brand hub within HBO Max in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and other regions. HBO Max will become the streaming home for Tving across 17 markets, featuring exclusive premieres of new original K-dramas alongside hundreds of hours of scripted and unscripted content from CJ ENM and Tving's library.

Ahead of the hub's official launch in early 2026, HBO Max will begin rolling out K-content titles starting in November, with the premiere of the highly anticipated drama "Dear X" scheduled for November 6. This swift rollout demonstrates both companies' commitment to rapidly expanding K-content accessibility to Asian audiences where Korean entertainment enjoys massive popularity.

Tving: A Rising Streaming Powerhouse

Founded in 2020, Tving has rapidly emerged as a leader in Korea's competitive streaming landscape. As of August, the platform reported 7.56 million monthly active users, representing a 4.7% increase from May. The platform is currently working on a merger with Wavve, another major Korean streaming service, with their combined reach approaching 10 million users.

Tving has built a reputation for acclaimed original series that travel well internationally. "Death's Game" ranks as one of the best K-dramas of 2024, while "Pyramid Game" was the only Korean content invited to Series Mania 2024, Europe's largest TV series event. "Bargain" won best screenplay at the 2023 Cannes International Series Festival, becoming the first Korean streaming original series to win at the prestigious competition.

Joint Content Production

The two companies will also pursue global co-production of K-content through joint investment. WBD and CJ ENM will create a development pipeline designed to feed the growing international appetite for Korean storytelling. Content produced together will be released to global viewers through HBO Max, ensuring wide distribution across key markets.

Strategic Significance

The deal represents a strategic bet on Korean content for Warner Bros. Discovery, which has been working to strengthen HBO Max's position in competitive Asian markets. For CJ ENM, it offers a powerful distribution channel to expand the reach of its content library and its Tving platform beyond Korea's borders.

This partnership goes beyond simple content licensing to include platform expansion, co-production, and brand integration, strengthening the sustainability of K-content in the global market. It marks one of the most significant collaborations between a Hollywood studio and a Korean content powerhouse, signaling the increasing recognition of K-content as a major force in global entertainment.

Executive Statements

Lee Mi-kyung (Miky Lee), Vice Chairwoman of CJ Group, stated: "K-content captivates audiences everywhere with its creativity and originality. At CJ ENM, our mission has always been to connect people through the power of storytelling. This partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery takes that mission to a new level, combining Warner Bros. Discovery's storytelling legacy with CJ's unique voice. Together, we will deliver authentic narratives that transcend borders on a platform where fans can discover new favorites, revisit timeless classics, and experience the best in global content."

David Zaslav, CEO of WBD, commented: "We are honored to partner with CJ ENM, a true leader in creating universally popular stories that resonate worldwide. This collaboration marks a cornerstone of our commitment to great locally relevant stories in key markets around the world."

Yoon Sang-hyun, CEO of CJ ENM, remarked: "CJ ENM has spearheaded the industrialization and global expansion of K-content over the past 30 years, positioning itself as a global IP powerhouse. We will continue to expand strategic partnerships in key global markets to drive the sustainable growth of K-culture, which has become a global lifestyle."

JB Perrette, CEO and President of Global Streaming & Games at WBD, stated: "HBO Max is the streaming destination for unique, premium storytelling so this partnership with CJ ENM, a leader in the enormously popular K-content genre, aligns perfectly with our strategy and brand."

Pious Jung, CEO of CJ America and President of Content, Global Business for CJ ENM, added: "CJ ENM has spearheaded the industrialization and global expansion of K-content over the past 30 years, positioning itself as a global IP powerhouse. Through our extensive partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, we will strive for the sustainable growth of K-culture, which has now become a lifestyle for many across the globe."

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in the cultural business this year, CJ ENM has declared this the "Year of Global Acceleration" and plans to expand K-culture's horizons and lead the construction of a sustainable K-content ecosystem through comprehensive global expansion encompassing both content and platforms.