Popular animation series Upin&Ipin finds new home with Astro
By Chong Jinn Xiung November 8, 2018
- Les’ Copaque collaboration to create waves in regional animation industry
- Astro to continue expanding capabilities in content sharing, distribution & marketing
MALAYSIAN animation studio Les’ Copaque, best known for its hit animation series Upin & Ipin, has announced a strategic collaboration with Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd (Astro) in terms of content sharing and distribution of the former’s animation intellectual property (IP).
Most notably, Les’ Copaque’s Upin & Ipin, Upin & Ipin Iqra, Pada Zaman Dahulu and Puteri will find a new home on both Astro and NJOI audiences across the TV and Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms including on-ground events.
The deal builds on a previous collaboration between the two sides from Nov 2016 when Astro launched, “Upin & Ipin Bersama Kawan Kawan”, a round-the-clock channel dedicated to showing a string of animation series produced by Les’ Copaque.
The move also marks a significant new direction for Les’ Copaque that had previously partnered with the Media Prima Group for the distribution of its content with its movies distributed by Primeworks Distribution and its animation shows on Media Prima’s terrestrial channels especially TV 9.
Astro’s GenNext Businesses vice president, Putri Yasmin Megat Zaharuddin frames the collaboration as proof that, “Astro is committed to entertainment and making learning fun and creative for its younger viewers with our rich variety of family and educational content.”
Astro expects the close collaboration with Les’ Copaque to increase Upin and Ipin’s content slate not only in Malaysia but also in Asean countries such as Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei.
“As Upin and Ipin has garnered international recognition, Les’ Copaque is an animation studio to be reckoned with. I believe the combined expertise and sharing of media asset between the two companies will create waves in the local and regional animation industry,” says Putri Yasmin.
Content aside, the collaboration will also involve selling exclusive merchandise on Astro’s Go Shop and various fan activities to reward customers under Astro Circle.
Les’ Copaque managing director Haji Burhanuddin Md. Radzi expresses confidence that the collaboration with Astro will transform the business model of the creative industry as a whole whereby the producer works closely with the broadcaster to determine the direction and business strategies of key areas including content, marketing, target market and development of new markets.
“The success of Upin and Ipin not only contributes to the development of the local animation industry but also paves the way for business partnerships that leverage on each other’s strengths to grow Malaysia’s economy.”
Also present at the event was Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) chief executive officer Yasmin Mahmood who is confident that the collaboration between the two companies will launch the local animation industry to greater heights.
Upin and Ipin was first launched in 2007 and now has a strong prescence in the digital space. It is the top channel on YouTube Malaysia with 3.3 million followers and over 2 billion views.
Astro and Les’ Copaque’s first joint project will be the ‘Karnival Upin & Ipin 2018’ that will take place at Malaysia’s Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) from Dec 20 - 23, 2018.
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