Vidio, Screenplay Films, and Wattpad WEBTOON Studios announce a new slate of Vidio Originals based on hit Wattpad stories
After breaking records with Turn On, and fan excitement for Paradise Garden, the companies have renewed and expanded a deal to adapt hit Wattpad stories
JAKARTA and TORONTO – August 12, 2021 - Vidio, Indonesia’s leading streaming service with 60 million users, Screenplay Films, and Wattpad WEBTOON Studios, the fan-driven global entertainment and publishing arm for WEBTOON and Wattpad, today announced a new slate of Vidio Original series based on hit Wattpad stories. Vidio has given a greenlight to five new series and ordered a second season of the record-breaking series Turn On. A number of other new projects will be announced at a later date. The new slate of series are part of a renewed and expanded partnership between the companies to adapt hit Wattpad stories for Vidio. The new slate of projects represents Vidio’s biggest regional production slate and more than doubles the size of the original deal with Wattpad WEBTOON Studios. Vidio and Screenplay Films are Wattpad WEBTOON Studios’ official entertainment partners in Indonesia.
The expanded slate of Wattpad-originated Bahasa Indonesia Vidio Originals follows record-breaking viewership for Turn On and strong debut for Paradise Garden. Launched in January 2021, Turn On, reached a record 13 million views, becoming Vidio’s most-watched title in Q1 2021. Featuring Indonesian stars Giorgino Abraham and Clara Bernadeth and directed by Vemmy Sagita, Turn On is based on Tiara Wales’ (@TiaraWales) 17.9 million-read Wattpad story of the same name. The project was followed by Paradise Garden in July 2021, based on @khojina’s Wattpad story with 4.7 million reads. Featuring stars Jefri Nichol and Vanescha Prescilla, and directed by Tommy Dewo, Paradise Garden immediately reached the first position on Vidio. Also from the previously-announced 2020 deal, @matcharay_’s smash-hit Live with my Ketos (18.1 million reads) will stream by the end of August 2021, starring Adhisty Zara and Arbani Yazis.
“We’ve seen the incredible value of working with Wattpad WEBTOON Studios from the moment these projects started streaming, so we’re thrilled to expand our official partnership to adapt the most popular Wattpad stories in Indonesia,” said Tina Arwin, Chief Content Officer, Vidio. “Fans across the country have fallen in love with Turn On and Paradise Garden, and for this next slate of projects we’re doing everything bigger and better, for global cinema quality productions and casting from the top talent in Indonesia. We can’t wait to bring more Wattpad adaptations to the millions of fans clamouring for this content.”
“The Wattpad WEBTOON Studios model is all about listening to fans and creating the entertainment they want,” said Aron Levitz, President of Wattpad WEBTOON Studios. “Vidio and Screenplay have truly embraced our innovative approach, and the results are clear: record-breaking success and a growing fandom. We’re honoured to bring this new slate of projects to life for fans all over Southeast Asia.”
“We are proud to super serve the loyal fans that helped us make ‘Turn On’ and ‘Paradise Garden’ huge successes. Our tight collaboration with Vidio and Wattpad WEBTOON Studios enable us to continuously produce content for a growing number of Indonesian audiences hungry for premium and quality scripted series,” said Wicky V. Olindo, CEO and Producer of Screenplay Films.
The first five projects from the expanded deal between Vidio, Wattpad WEBTOON Studios, and Screenplay Films, include:
Married With Senior (51.8 million reads) by @Cintaprita: Mika is a troublemaker. Angkasa is a well-liked Student Body President at their school. Nobody knows or would ever suspect they are being set up in an arranged marriage. After a series of highs and lows and time apart, Mika and Angkasa move from hating each other to realizing they just might be perfect for each other.
Daniel and Nicolette (46 million reads) by @matchamallow: Copper-haired orphan Nicole has seen it all. Savvy and streetwise, she gets in over her head when she mugs Daniel, the charming CEO of a leading TV station who is used to getting anything he wants in life. With nothing to her name except musical talent, Nicole repays Daniel by joining his team at the TV station. But after a whirlwind romance with Daniel, Nicole will have to choose between following her heart or her musical dreams.
My Ice Girl (22 million reads) by @pitsansi: Determined to solve the mystery surrounding his younger sister’s death, Malik moves to SMA Gemilang where he meets Dara, a girl who seems strangely familiar. After striking a friendship, Malik finds himself falling in love with Dara, only to discover she was previously in a love triangle with his sister. Though Malik suspects Dara, he soon discovers the truth...that he’s been closer to the killer than he ever realized.
Mari Jangan Saling Jatuh Cinta (2.6 million reads) by @kiranada: Anya and Cipta grew up in different worlds, but that didn’t prevent them from becoming best friends. But when the popular Bagas enters their life in tenth grade, their relationship is put to the test. As Bagas drives a wedge between them, Cipta soon realises he’s been in love with Anya all along. As the years go by, Cipta keeps his feelings to himself. But when Bagas’ cheating is exposed Cipta might finally have a chance to tell Anya his true feelings.
My Nerd Girl (27.7 million reads) by @Aidahharisah: When Rhea’s twin sister dies tragically in an apparent suicide, Rhea will do anything to find the truth. Taking on a new identity as part of her search for answers, Rhea meets Reyhan, and the two form an unexpected friendship. Together they find out the real truth about Farah’s life prior to her death.
Wicky V. Olindo will serve as Producer. Executive Producers will be Sutanto Hartono, Hermawan Sutanto and Tina Arwin for Vidio; Anthony Buncio executive producer for Screenplay Films; and Aron Levitz, Eric Lehrman and Dexter Ong for Wattpad WEBTOON Studios.
The deal is one of the first major streaming slates from Wattpad WEBTOON Studios following the merger of WEBTOON Studios and Wattpad Studios in June 2021. The new Indonesian slate of projects joins a growing body of can’t-miss entertainment from WEBTOON and Wattpad. Select stand-out titles include the WEBTOON-originated anime hit Tower of God, currently available on Crunchyroll and HBO Max; and the global Wattpad sensation After, which won a People’s Choice Award and three Teen Choice Awards in 2019 before spawning five additional films in the franchise.
With one of the world’s largest populations and a robust local star-system, Indonesia is one of the most exciting regions in entertainment. The country is also Wattpad’s second largest region, with a community of more than 9 million people. As home to some of Wattpad’s most popular writers, stories, and the inspiring #MuslimRomance writing movement, Indonesia is a priority region as Wattpad WEBTOON Studios continues to expand its global entertainment footprint.
Wattpad WEBTOON Studios is one of the most innovative new companies in global entertainment. Bringing together the 166 million fans from WEBTOON and Wattpad, along with massive catalogues of new IP from indie authors and digital comic creators, Wattpad WEBTOON Studios creates fan-driven entertainment. The company currently has more than 100 TV and film projects in development or production with partners around the world, hits on screens everywhere, and a growing slate of books and international imprints.
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About Wattpad WEBTOON Studios
Wattpad WEBTOON Studios brings together technology, a diverse new generation of creators, and passionate global fandoms to create data-backed, audience-driven TV shows, films, and books. Leveraging incredible stories and insights from WEBTOON and Wattpad’s combined audience of more than 166 million people, Wattpad WEBTOON Studios has pioneered a bold, global, fan-first approach to entertainment. Wattpad WEBTOON Studios has worked with Netflix, Sony Pictures Television, Crunchyroll, The Jim Henson Company, Vertigo Entertainment, Constantin Film, Penguin Random House, and many other leaders in entertainment and publishing.
ABOUT VIDIO
Founded 2014, Vidio is the leading OTT (Over the top) startup in Indonesia. Unlike other OTTs, by Sep 2020, Vidio broadcasted 51 linear TVs (both FTA and premium channels) and 29 online radio and counting. Serving millions of video-on-demands for local drama series, catch-up TVs, up to the paid-subscription of Indonesian box offices, Asian, Korean Drama, Bollywood, and Hollywood. Vidio’s Original Series has the largest and hits collection in Indonesia together with its exclusive sports local and international. With its mission to be the ultimate destination for Indonesian to enjoy quality content, Vidio is available in all platforms connected in Indonesia - web, mobile, setup box, and Smart TVs.
ABOUT SCREENPLAY FILMS
Screenplay Films is an innovative production company thrives to produce distinguished feature-length films with an array of genres. An extension of the acknowledged Screenplay Productions, the recently established company collaborates with Indonesian prominent actors and actresses, directors and creative team to fulfill its commitment and captivate Indonesian evolving market. Screenplay Film’s debut film, Magic Hour (2015) instantly gained domestic box office figure in its opening week, and followed with succeeding box office films of diverse genres, including London Love Story (2016), I Love You From 38,000 Ft (2016), Headshot (2016), Orang Kaya Baru (2019), and Gundala (2019)). Keen-sighted of the profound achievement, Screenplay Films heightened its production significance through effective global network collaboration to aptly release films for worldwide distribution.