Steal Spotlight

• Streaming platforms are reducing spending on original web series as viewership shifts toward sports, blockbuster films, and traditional TV shows. • To achieve profitability, platforms are pivoting their growth strategies toward leaner, regional original content rather than high-budget productions. • This shift reflects a broader industry trend where "big-budget" originals are losing their dominance in the spotlight to more cost-effective or high-draw content.

• Asian cinema is increasingly challenging Hollywood's dominance at the Malaysian box office heading into 2026, driven by a surge in regional productions. • Filmmakers from China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Malaysia are gaining traction by prioritizing cultural identity, emotional depth, and authentic, independent storytelling. • Industry experts, including actress Pearlly Chuah, note that while Hollywood focuses on commercial franchises, Asian films offer distinctive artistic voices that resonate more deeply with local audiences.

• Investors are monitoring whether AI-driven earnings reports from companies like Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) and ASML will overshadow the upcoming financial results from major banks. • The market is looking to these semiconductor giants for critical clues regarding the current global demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure. • Market attention is also shifting toward the latest headline Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, which is expected to show a cooling trend in inflation.