Netflix, Disney, and WBD converge in Bali for APOS 2026 summit

The simultaneous appearance of four major streaming rivals underscores Asia's shift from a growth-at-all-costs region to a critical theater for operational profitability and technical experimentation. By integrating microdramas and creator-led platforms like TikTok into the main agenda, the industry is acknowledging that vertical, short-form content now competes directly for the same 'micro-void' moments as premium SVOD services. For the broader ecosystem, the focus on AI-native filmmaking and localization suggests a transition where local content production is increasingly decoupled from ballooning traditional budgets. Watch for new regional production incentives from Jakarta and Southeast Asian markets to further stimulate these tech-driven content pipelines.

The 2026 APOS summit takes place as the Asia-Pacific online video sector undergoes a massive structural realignment. Per Media Partners Asia (MPA) in January 2026, premium VOD and social video are projected to add $23.9 billion in incremental revenue to the region by 2030, while traditional television revenues are expected to decline by $8 billion over the same period. This shift is most pronounced in China and India, which are forecast to account for 72% of total digital screens in the region by the end of the decade. India specifically is projected to record the fastest country-level expansion with a 16.2% CAGR through 2036, according to Future Market Insights data from May 2026.

Microdramas have emerged as a primary engine of this growth, particularly through 'C-side' direct payments and virtual currency models. Market data from DataEye and MPA in early 2026 indicates that China's microdrama industry has already surpassed its domestic theatrical box office, reaching a valuation of approximately $9.4 billion. This mobile-first format is rapidly expanding globally via platforms like ReelShort and RisingJoy; the latter announced a dual-market launch in the U.S. and Japan during the Bali summit. Outside China, the microdrama market is expected to hit $9.5 billion by 2030, driven by an annual growth rate of 28%.

Technological efficiency remains a prerequisite for managing the volume of this new content. In March 2026 alone, Douyin saw nearly 50,000 new AI-generated microdrama uploads, while industry reports in May 2026 highlighted that AI-produced titles accounted for over 95% of new micro-content releases in China. Parallel to this production surge, enforcement has become a major industry priority. The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) reported in late 2025 that while social media piracy has declined, practitioners now face a new wave of 'AI-driven' piracy and decentralized streaming threats.