Jang Ju-won, played by Ryu Seung-ryong in the Disney+ original series "Moving," is a character with regenerative abilities and immense strength. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea
By KTimes
Global streaming platforms and terrestrial broadcasters are not just competitors, as shown by Disney+ partnering with MBC to bring the hit series "Moving" to a wider audience through the broadcasting company.
"Moving," an action-packed superhero drama, follows children with hidden superpowers and their parents who harbor painful secrets from the past. Together, they face massive threats that transcend time and generations.
Released on Disney+ in August last year, the series received widespread acclaim both domestically and internationally.
Dana Walden, co-chair of Disney Entertainment, previously praised "Moving," calling it a "guidepost and source of inspiration," alongside Japan’s "Shogun."
The first broadcast of "Moving" on MBC aired last Sunday, with a special schedule spanning three days over Christmas week to air the first eight episodes. Starting in January, "Moving" will air regularly on Sunday nights, with two episodes back-to-back each week.
Expanding viewership through collaboration
"Moving is a mega-hit on Disney+, but many viewers have yet to experience it," said an official from the MBC Content Strategy Division. "This collaboration expands access to exceptional K-culture content by allowing a broader audience to watch it for free through MBC."
The deal marks the first collaboration of its kind between a global streaming platform and a domestic terrestrial broadcaster, drawing attention for bridging the competitive divide.
MBC noted that the agreement aims to deliver high-quality content to a wider audience by merging free terrestrial broadcasting with subscription-based streaming platforms.
In the Disney+ original series "Moving," Ryu Seung-beom portrays an assassin who was adopted overseas. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea
A shift in Disney+ strategy
Professor Lee Heon-yul of Korea University’s Media Studies Department pointed out the strategic implications for Disney+. "This collaboration breaks Disney+’s exclusivity strategy, which has traditionally been crucial for retaining and attracting subscribers," he said.
However, given that "Moving" was released some time ago, its ability to drive new subscriptions has waned. By airing the show on MBC, Disney+ has a greater chance of attracting viewers to "Moving" and its potential second season.
Lee also said that Disney’s studio-based service model likely made the company more open to the resale market. "This approach benefits Disney+ and MBC gains by airing a popular and meaningful series," he added.
Future collaborations on horizon
Lee predicted that similar partnerships between global streaming platforms and terrestrial broadcasters will increase.
"Streaming platforms continue to amass content, but for older original series with little subscriber value, they may opt to sell distribution rights," Lee said. "This is similar to the strategy HBO employed in the past, selling shows like 'Sex and the City' to cable networks."
As collaborations between global streaming platforms and local broadcasters grow, viewers gain access to a broader array of content, enriching the media landscape and offering increasingly diverse entertainment options.
In "Moving," Zo In-sung plays a top-tier secret agent with the power to fly. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.
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