Viu strikes Wattpad development deal

Storytelling platform Wattpad has agreed a number of partnerships worldwide

Hong Kong-based OTT service Viu has struck a deal with Canadian digital storytelling platform Wattpad to develop original series based on the latter’s content.

The deal is part of Viu’s plans to widen its Viu Originals slate by releasing 80 new titles this year alone.

Viu, owned by PCCW Media, will work with Wattpad to develop youth-oriented content using Wattpad’s Story DNA Machine Learning technology to find and develop stories.

The OTT service operates across 17 markets in South-East Asia, the Middle East, India and South Africa.

Wattpad has struck a range of similar deals globally with partners including Sony Pictures Television, Singapore’s Mediacorp, Huayi Brothers in South Korea and Mediaset in Italy.