Streamer

• Popular streamer IShowSpeed plans to cover every single match of the Round of 32 during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. • The announcement was shared via the fan account IShowSpeedHQ on X, detailing his ambition to live stream all 16 matches of the knockout stage. • This project represents one of the streamer's largest football-related undertakings to date, leveraging his massive global audience to engage with the tournament.

• Germany plans to mandate that streaming platforms reinvest 8% of their revenue into local productions, with specific exemptions applicable at a 12% threshold. • To further support the industry, the German government is nearly doubling its annual film funding to €250 million. • These measures aim to protect local cultural content and stimulate domestic production amidst the dominance of global streaming giants.

• Viu CEO Janice Lee revealed at APOS 2026 that nearly 20% of the platform's long-form viewers have transitioned to watching microdramas. • The streamer is expanding its branded content and co-production efforts, highlighted by the Indonesia-set series “Abracadabra” produced with Samsung and starring Ji Chang-wook. • This shift matters as the short-form format attracts advertisers seeking rapid production turnarounds and higher engagement through pan-regional tentpole strategies.

• Viu CEO Janice Lee reports that nearly 20% of long-form users now watch microdrama, a growing format on the platform. • The platform is expanding its branded content and co-production efforts, including a partnership with Samsung for the series "Abracadabra" starring Ji Chang-wook. • This strategy allows for rapid turnaround times, making the short-form format attractive to brands looking for quick content.

• Fuji Television, MakerVille, and SimStory are co-producing a pan-Asian thriller series titled *Kidnap Game*, which is scheduled to premiere in October. • The plot follows a wave of simultaneous abductions across seven Asian cities, forcing families to compete in missions to save their loved ones. • The ensemble cast features regional stars including Kentaro Sakaguchi (Japan) and Lee Joon-gi (South Korea), alongside actors from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, and Thailand.

• 'Peaky Blinders' writer Steven Knight testified before the UK parliament’s Culture, Media, and Sports Committee on June 16th regarding the financial state of the domestic film industry. • Knight expressed support for a proposed "streamer levy," which would require US-based streaming giants to provide financial contributions to support UK production. • The proposal aims to address funding gaps in the local industry by leveraging the massive profits generated by global platforms operating within the UK.

• On May 27, 2026, the German Federal Cabinet adopted the draft Media Services Investment Obligation Act (MedienInvestVG) as part of a broader film funding reform. • The act requires Video-on-Demand (VoD) providers to invest 8% of their German revenues into European works and adhere to specific sub-quotas. • To ensure fair distribution of ownership, the legislation aims to limit exclusive rights through the implementation of reversi clauses.