The media landscape across Asia is undergoing a period of profound transformation. The recently released Asia Video Industry Report 2026 offers a comprehensive look at the challenges and opportunities defining this era, exploring the future trends of an industry at a critical crossroads.
The report focuses on three pivotal themes that are reshaping the region’s media ecosystem:
1) Evolving piracy threats
As streaming matures, so too do the methods used by illicit operators to steal content.
2) The mainstreaming of AI
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future concept but a primary driver of change in how content is produced, distributed, and protected.
3) Shifting regulatory frameworks
Governments across the region are re-evaluating how to govern digital content in an increasingly complex environment.
The report suggests that while the industry is successfully migrating audiences to digital platforms, a significant "value gap" remains. This gap—driven by sophisticated piracy and the rapid rise of AI—demands a new level of urgent cooperation between tech platforms, content creators, anti-piracy providers, and regional governments.
Fabien Gauthier, VP of Sales APAC at Friend MTS, discusses on page 36 how the continued growth of entertainment and media in Asia is inextricably linked to exclusivity. For service providers to thrive, they must be able to offer compelling live sports and premium entertainment content without pirates exploiting that same content for their own lucrative illegal streaming businesses. Reactive measures are no longer enough; instead, building proactive, collaborative defences with a dedicated anti-piracy partner has never been more crucial to securing the industry's future.
The Asia Video Industry Report 2026 is essential reading for anyone looking to understand the mechanics of the Asian media market and the strategies required to protect high-value content.
Read the full report to explore the complete findings, and find Fabien’s full article on page 36 of the report.
Looking for more piracy insights? Contact Friend MTS today to learn how to secure your content against evolving digital threats.
