Bangkok – WebTVAsia announced a global strategic partnership with China’s top short video platform Tudou, a wholly owned subsidiary of Alibaba Digital Media and Entertainment Group. Thetie-up confirmed WebTVAsia as Asia’s first Multi Channel Network (MCN) partner to participate in Tudou’s new RMB 2 billion (USD 291 million) global short-form content sourcing initiative, codenamed “The Big Fish Plan”.

As a “Big Fish Partner”, WebTVAsia is offered market-leading privileges by Tudou in four areas: Algorithm Weighing, Valuation Adjustment, Brand Marketing and Copyright Protection. Content providers under WebTVAsia are therefore extended similar benefits with further localisation and marketing support by WebTVAsia’s China division.

Founder and Group CEO of WebTVAsia, Fred Chong said, “We are very excited to be officially partnering Tudou in the exponentially growing short video space. With our Asia-wide network of over 1,000 top content channels, and localised production teams in 10 countries, we are confident this long term partnership will be a commercial success.”

The working relationship of both companies is now further strengthened with several successful joint projects together since 2013, including the worldwide viral video hit Little Apple which generated 500 million views on YouTube and Youku-Tudou.

The deal was made official at the closing of the Rise of Asia Forum here, an annual conference attended by over 500 Asia Pacific media and entertainment industry leaders, namely Tudou, Tencent, Lazada, Sony Music, Warner Music, Havas, Omnicom and more. It was officiated by First Vice-Chairman of the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) Thailand, Mr. Alongkorn Ponlaboot. The one-day event was held as part of Viral Fest Asia, promoted as the most influential digital music festival in Asia.