Prime Video takes viewers in Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines to Comedy Island

Amazon’s Prime Video has announced its first local originals in South-East Asia – a format called Comedy Island that will be adapted for audiences in Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.

Josh McIvor

Comedy Island is a situational comedy challenge show in which eight comedians must complete a series of improvised comedic tasks while stranded on a remote island.

Comedy Island: Indonesia and Comedy Island: Philippines will be produced by Base Entertainment, while Liminal Productions will produce Comedy Island: Thailand. All three versions will launch on Prime Video globally in 2023.

Prime Video said Comedy Island is part of its plans to increase investment in South-East Asia. Alongside the new originals, the streamer has launched a localised content slate in Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, which includes licensing deals for films such as the Indonesian remake of Perfect Strangers, content from Korea like film Nothing Serious and anime hits including Demon Slayer.

Josh McIvor, director of international expansion at Prime Video, said: “We’re delighted to be increasing our investment in Prime Video for customers in South-East Asia, making it a truly localised experience – from local content specifically sourced for our customers, to a localised user experience and the first full-scale local marketing campaign.

“Our support of local production companies in South-East Asia is a significant step towards our broader international expansion plans and our ambition to become the most local of global streaming services.”