Indonesia’s Vidio thinks local to take on global streaming giants

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Hello reader,

Taking on the likes of Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video is a daunting task.

All three have huge user bases, voluminous libraries of content, and hefty war chests to make life tough for competitors. Yet in Indonesia, video-on-demand (VOD) player Vidio is up for the challenge.

The firm, which is owned by local conglomerate Emtek Group (EMTK, IDX), claims it’s the country’s top VOD platform by several measures.

That said, Vidio is still trying to stanch heavy losses. Its leaders, though, feel the company is on the way to turning a profit. So how has Vidio kept pace with the Netflix’s of the world? The company says it’s by going local.

The firm focuses on content like “sinetron” (local soap operas) over international shows.

That might be a timely reminder for the multitude of companies and investors excited to make it big in a promising market like Indonesia: It pays to think and act locally.

— Peter

THE BIG STORY

Image credit: Timmy Loen

Emtek’s Vidio claims to have Indonesia’s streaming crown, but sees heavy losses
Indonesia has the highest CAGR for subscription-based VOD services among APAC countries, but local firms face stiff competition from global players.

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