US giants’ streaming wars move to Thailand

Big business: Thai-Norwegian actress Urassaya ‘Yaya’ Sperbund, from the Netflix series ‘Thai Cave Rescue’, speaks during an interview in Bangkok. International streaming platforms are targeting Thailand as they bid to expand in this part of the world. — AFP

BANGKOK: International streaming platforms were among the biggest pandemic winners, seeing subscriber numbers soar, but United States giants are going abroad as countries re-open, with Thailand firmly in their sights.

The kingdom’s high Internet penetration, long-standing and highly regarded film industry, as well as roughly six million active users of streaming services, according to 2021 data, present a golden opportunity.