Catchplay is moving beyond its existing footprint. The Taiwan-based streamer and its production arm Screenworks Asia are launching vertical dramas in partnership with major Korean media companies.
According to reporting from Deadline Hollywood, the company is launching an exclusive branded zone spanning Taiwan, Indonesia and Singapore in partnership with Sero, a newly launched Korean vertical content platform. The deals also involve CJ ENM and SLL Joongang, signaling expansion during Catchplay's tenth anniversary.
Vertical drama is gaining traction as audiences on TikTok and Instagram Reels consume short-form content. Sero and similar platforms are proving that vertical storytelling can sustain narrative drama. By partnering with Korean companies, Catchplay gains access to established production quality and regional distribution.
The exclusivity clause covers three major Southeast Asian markets—Taiwan, Indonesia, and Singapore. An exclusive branded zone is more than a licensing deal; it reserves territorial rights for this format in the region.
CJ ENM is one of Korea's largest entertainment companies. SLL Joongang's entry into vertical content through Sero shows how traditional Korean media is adapting to short-form consumption patterns. For Catchplay, this partnership provides both content and production credibility.
The launch will test whether Indonesian and Singaporean audiences adopt vertical drama as a primary viewing format.
