CJ E&M launches global over-the-top video streaming service

Seen is Mnet's new audition program, “Produce 48,” live-streamed on PC through CJ E&M's global over-the-top video streaming service “Global Tving.” / Courtesy of CJ E&M

By Jun Ji-hye

CJ E&M has launched a global over-the-top (OTT) video streaming service called “Global Tving,” in a first for a domestic content business operator, the company said Friday.

The OTT service refers to delivery of film and TV content directly to consumers over the internet, bypassing traditional broadcast and cable television platforms.

The company said viewers around the world, except in Korea, China and Japan, can now watch the firm-owned content in real time on PCs or mobile phones through the Global Tving service.

The service is part of the firm's project to overcome several limitations of existing content businesses targeting overseas markets, including the time gap of content distribution between countries.

The entertainment and media content arm of CJ Group has selected Mnet's latest singing competition program, “Produce 48,” the third season of the mega-hit audition program “Produce 101,” as the first content to be delivered through Global Tving.

The audition program will premiere today at 11 p.m.

Mnet is a cable TV subsidiary of CJ E&M.

China and Japan have been excluded from the service as China is airing a similar program after buying the format of “Produce 101,” while “Produce 48” simultaneously airs in Korea and Japan. It is a collaboration program between Mnet and Japanese producer Yasushi Akimoto.

CJ E&M plans to add new features to the service such as e-commerce, in which viewers will be able to buy goods related to trainees of “Produce 48,” to make the most use of content and commerce capabilities that will be created through the merger with CJ O Shopping.

The merger will create a new company, CJ ENM, which stands for “entertainment and merchandising,” July 1.

The company will also offer various video clips and a live chat function.

“Global Tving will be a good opportunity to overcome limitations of the current content distribution process and discover new strategies targeting the global market,” a CJ E&M official said. “We expect the convergence of the global digital service and influential content like Produce 48 to make a global hit.”