Those who frequent Kpop gossip blogs may already know that drama addicts Stateside can now enjoy high quality streaming of English-subbed Asian dramas thanks to DramaFever.
The site’s current catalogue is exclusively Korean, but are engaged in conversation with various content owners to expand the catalogue to not only include dramas from Taiwan, China and Japan but to also include bonus materials, photos, music videos and variety shows. [EDITORS NOTE: The website is still in beta mode but priority registration will be given to 8Asians.com readers with the special registration code "8asian".]
It’s free, completely legal and about time — the only catch is that it’s currently only available to US residents. And for those unaware, I’m located in Canada — pointed out by the funny way I spell catalogue. Fortunately, I was privy to peruse around the site before the geo-blockers got turned on; it pained me so much that I’ve only visited the site once so I will not get hooked onto watching anything available on the site.
This means that I still resort to *cough* alternate means of feeding my Asian drama addiction while the good people at DramaFever.com try to figure out International Distribution rights and how to get their site beamed directly to my house in Canada legally.
So, how do international distribution rights work? A quick overview, after the jump.
The content viewing world is divided up into territories, based on geographic demographics (ie: Territory: United States is not the same as Latin America, similarly English speaking Canada, is not the same as French speaking Canada) and also depends on what the content owners agree to with the distribution companies. Companies, broadcasters and various distribution platforms are then granted licenses in whatever region by the content owners to sell/broadcast/distribute their material in a span of however many years as agreed to in the contract.
It’s a whole bunch of legalese that can drive a person up the wall especially if the word internet gets dropped in. In my experience, NO ONE has EVER granted an International Distribution license with regards to broadcast content; I don’t blame them either. It’s a license everyone vies for that remains in a constant tug of war between internet broadcasters — like DramaFever.com — and content owners.
For people like me, who like to know what’s going on in the world and keep up with the excitement of first run shows, heavily rely on fansubbers uploading cuts on streaming sites like YouTube or Veoh. In the summer of 2008, Korean broadcaster SBS went on a rampage and had YouTube delete many channels I had become regular followers of; my world crashed. One fansubbing uploader in particular got Charice Pempengco noticed by Ellen DeGeneres; she’s now signed with David Foster. The channel’s memorial be found over at MIT’s Research Project YouTomb. The blanket reason for deletion usually is copyright infringement.
And while everything in this world boils down to dollars and cents, DramaFever.com has enough sense to see the opportunity to feed a desired niche market. But I’ll still wait till the Internet International Distribution license gets figured out, or when someone actually takes the risk and grants someone such a license.
As a viewer, I don’t know what’s worse; that I know about DramaFever, or that I can’t get access to them in a timely manner. Really, I don’t want to be a criminal. Being bad was so … 80’s.
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7 Comments to “On DramaFever and International Distribution Licenses”
CaliStunna wrote:
I didn’t notice your spelling of catalogue until you brought it up because I read it as that. Do you also spell Center as Centre?
Anyways, I think many people who wanted to watch dubbed versions of Korean dramas have found many ways to do so. The Korean channels in the US have been broadcasting those with subtitles for a while. There are tons of websites that also offer subtitles, whether it’s fan made or not.
The Korean wave has seemed to benefit some of the actors and actresses because they are getting more exposure in the U.S. Even if he isn’t a big time actor in the U.S., I found it entertaining how Stephen Colbert would continue to rant on about how Rain beat him in the Time Magazine rankings.
The one thing I hope doesn’t happen is that Hollywood decides to just copy the ideas of K-Dramas and just replace everyone with a majority White-Cast. This was evident when they tried to remake “My Sassy Girl”.
The more Non-Korean/Non-Asian viewers that these dramas can influence, then perhaps it will become a new day for Asians.
Posted on 08-Jan-09 at 3:41 pm | Permalink
Ernie wrote:
You’re going to be pretty disappointed, then. What you see “copying the ideas and replacing them with white people” is more enthusiastically referred to as “re-envisioning popular International movies for American audiences.” And while My Sassy Girl [American Remix] went straight to DVD, you can thank The Ring for giving producers evidence that sometimes it DOES work.
Funny thing about the Ring… I ask people which version they like better (The Japanese vs the American one), and the answers usually split 50/50, usually for the one they watched first.
Posted on 08-Jan-09 at 4:28 pm | Permalink
CaliStunna wrote:
well Ernie, when did I ever say it DOESN’T work?
but then again, is that what you would rather see? “Re-envisioning popular International movies for American audiences”?
I mean if you’re going to state that, then someone can also say having an all-white cast for a remake doesn’t necessarily = success. Because as many successful remakes that have been made, there have been plenty that have flopped as well.
Not to mention, there have also been movies that aren’t remakes that have a minority cast. Romeo Must Die is one of them, and there’s also plenty of “Americans” in that movie as well.
To say I’m going to be disappointed is already stating the obvious, because if I wasn’t already disappointed I wouldn’t have mentioned it in the first place. I’m also not the only one either, as 8asians already has blogs about that topic as well =)
Posted on 08-Jan-09 at 7:16 pm | Permalink
Xxxtine wrote:
@CaliStunna – Actually yes, if it is a noun referring to some sort of communal establishment, we do spell it Centre.
I think the Ring and the Departed were exceptions. The Departed worked because it was very cultural specific. Didn’t care for the gift wrapped ending though.
Hollywood isn’t as stupid or as shallow as everyone may think it is – or at least executives. Yes, ignorance runs rampant, but it’s because the majority are blinded by the easiest way to make money and not really care too much about a quality product. That’s what the Indie circuit is for. I remember having a conversation with a filmmaker from LA long ago and he said the biggest issue to affect change wasn’t the executives, it was the audience. His belief was it was the education system compounded by stereotypes that ultimately hindered people’s perceptions – and he was white.
And as for concepts Hollywood bastardizes from K-Dramas or Asian films – the thing with Asians, is that we do cute really really well. And well, cute doesn’t really sell in the US – Sexy does.
My ultimate horror is that there is a rumour they’re taking the concept of one of my favorite Korean reality/ variety shows, “We Got Married” and bringing it to the US. The basic concept is that they throw celebrities into a fake marriage and they carry out missions together as a couple. It’s a wholesome charming show with a cute concept … but would totally get sensationalized in the US.
Posted on 08-Jan-09 at 7:28 pm | Permalink
jun wrote:
@xxxtine
I dont think the Us needs a show like we got married…
real life celebrity
sideshowsmarriages are more entertaining anyway right?Posted on 10-Jan-09 at 9:15 pm | Permalink
Xxxtine wrote:
@jun … it was just a rumour, but C-F listers always need work don’t they?
Posted on 10-Jan-09 at 9:24 pm | Permalink
jun wrote:
LOL~
There’s a celebrity F list????
Posted on 10-Jan-09 at 10:06 pm | Permalink
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