Pacific

• Amazon's Prime Video is positioning itself as an "entertainment hub" in the Asia-Pacific region through radical localization and a network of over 600 distribution partners. • In Japan, the service has expanded across four key pillars: anime, scripted entertainment, unscripted programming, and live sports. • The strategy includes a growing live boxing business launched in 2022 with 15 events, alongside various manga adaptations to better engage local audiences.

Attack brings to at least 211 number of people killed as Trump administration targets alleged ‘narcoterrorists’The US military attacked a boat accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Thursday, killing three people, as the Trump administration wages a months-long campaign against alleged traffickers in Latin America.The latest attack brings the number of people the US military has killed in boat strikes to at least 211 since the Trump administration began targeting people it calls “narcoterrorists” in early September. Continue reading...

• RBC Wealth Management released its Global Insight 2026 Midyear Outlook for the Asia-Pacific region, highlighting divergent economic trends. • The report notes that China's strong export figures are currently masking underlying soft domestic demand, while Japanese equities are benefiting from a rotation of investor interest. • Analysts warn that Asian credit spreads have become tight, necessitating a more selective investment approach to manage risk.

• The Asia-Pacific screen economy is rapidly expanding toward a $200 billion valuation, driven by the growth of streaming and digital media. • Media Partners Asia estimates that AI could provide a regional "dividend" of up to $15 billion annually, though a significant monetization gap compared to the U.S. remains a primary challenge. • To combat this gap, platforms are shifting toward bundling as a structural pillar to acquire millions of new users in India, Indonesia, and Thailand.

• Amazon regional entertainment leaders presented their strategy to transform Prime Video into a comprehensive "Entertainment Hub" for the Asia-Pacific region during the APOS 2026 conference in Bali. • The company highlighted its aggressive localization efforts and the establishment of over 600 distribution partnerships to expand its market reach. • A key development is the launch of a new ad-supported tier in India, integrated through Amazon MX Player to attract a broader user base.

• The Asia-Pacific screen economy is rapidly expanding toward a $200 billion valuation, driven by a potential AI dividend of up to $15 billion annually according to Media Partners Asia. • Despite this growth, the region faces a significant "monetization gap" compared to the U.S., which is identified as the defining challenge for the decade. • Content bundling has evolved into a critical structural pillar to acquire millions of new users in India, Indonesia, and Thailand, while helping platforms in Japan, Korea, and Australia retain subscribers.

• InfoComm Asia has released the 2026 Asia-Pacific Pro AV Market Playbook, a strategic guide detailing the technologies and opportunities shaping the region's digital future. • The playbook provides a comprehensive country-by-country analysis of key Southeast Asian markets, including Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. • This resource is critical for Pro AV solution providers as it highlights specific digital transformation priorities and technology investment trends across emerging growth economies.