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Chinese content shines at 2024 Asia TV Forum and Market

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Chinese content shines at 2024 Asia TV Forum and Market

2024-12-06 20:01 Last Updated At:21:17

Chinese television shows and productions have made a splash at the ongoing 2024 Asia TV Forum and Market (ATF) which opened at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Singapore on Wednesday.

Running through Friday, the event brought together production companies, distributors, buyers and investors from some 60 countries and regions to explore the latest business opportunities and market trends.

The China Pavilion has proven to be a big draw at this year's forum. Spanning 204 square meters, the pavilion showcases 135 works, including TV dramas, films, animation, variety shows and documentaries produced by major broadcasters such as China International Television Corporation (CITVC), Shanghai Media Group (SMG) and numerous film and animation companies.

Chinese content has drawn significant attention from international buyers at the event, with a steady stream of visitors engaging in consultations and negotiations at the booth.

"We are basically focusing on Chinese series, because Chinese drama is big content in our country. We used to show Chinese dramas in the past, mainly historical dramas. And they used to do very well. Mainly we are more attracted with the uniqueness, the culture, the costume and the storyline. And the production is always top notch," said Ilham Khalfan, director of Azam Media from Tanzania.

"We have seen increasing participation from China over the past few years. Chinese content in terms of production value has really elevated over the last few years. And it's more and more appealing to the overseas market. For example, the southeast Asian market is watching a lot more dramas from China. So overall, I think China content is in a very good position globally and we believe that in the next two, three years, China content will have the potential to go further in terms of its appeal and in terms of its influence on the global content stage," said Yeow Hui Leng, Group Project Director at RX Global, a global events organizer.

Chinese content shines at 2024 Asia TV Forum and Market

Chinese content shines at 2024 Asia TV Forum and Market

China's movie industry is increasingly deriving its earnings from broader consumer economy.

Released during the 2025 summer season, the film "Nobody" became China's highest-grossing two-dimensional animated film -- and its success went beyond theaters.

Through licensing and brand partnerships, the movie has generated 2.5 billion yuan (about 358.3 million U.S. dollars) in retail sales to consumers, with more than 800 licensed products on the market.

Ranging from plush toys to food and home goods, the movie-related merchandise can be purchased from over 3,000 online and offline outlets.

Meanwhile, souvenir stores are crowded at Shanghai Disneyland's Zootopia themed land, with hats, plush toys, and collectibles seeing steady demand from visitors.

"China's film industry is no longer defined by box office revenue alone. It has become a new growth engine that links and energizes multiple cultural sectors. At the heart of every successful film is strong storytelling. High-quality productions create cultural value, which in turn enhances the commercial value of intellectual property and opens up new consumption opportunities. I believe China's film industry delivered an outstanding performance in the past year," said Chen Xiaoda, vice dean of Shanghai Vancouver Film School.

Film IP fuels expansion of consumer market

Film IP fuels expansion of consumer market

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