iQIYI, Telkomsel join forces to deepen streaming footprint in Indonesia

Chinese video streaming giant iQIYI has ramped up its presence in Southeast Asia with a major market entry into Indonesia, launching its localised platform and announcing a multi-pronged partnership with leading telco Telkomsel.

The move is part of the company’s broader Starship Project, an initiative designed to bring Chinese content closer to global audiences through a mix of on-ground activations, original productions, and celebrity-led campaigns.

Unveiled at a launch event in Jakarta on 30 June, the partnership signals iQIYI’s growing ambition to serve the booming Indonesian streaming audience by not only offering subtitled Chinese content, but also producing original Indonesian series and shows.

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“As a streaming platform boasting over 520 million monthly active users, iQIYI is thrilled to enter the Indonesian market this year,” said Li Kaichen, vice president of APAC and Middle East at iQIYI International. “Our local team will provide richer and more tailored content experiences for Indonesian viewers. Together with Telkomsel, we are committed to deepening collaboration in mobile products, content creation, and integrated marketing.”

Li also highlighted the debut of the iQIYI Starship Project in Indonesia, which will feature international launch events, drama promotions, and membership activities involving Chinese celebrities.

The event also served as a fanfare introduction for Chen Zheyuan (pictured) as iQIYI International’s new global ambassador. Known for his roles in hit dramas, the actor participated in a media session and fan interaction, reinforcing iQIYI’s celebrity-driven strategy to boost engagement and brand recognition across markets.

To tailor its offering to Indonesian audiences, iQIYI undertook comprehensive research into local user behaviour and has fully localised its interface and subtitles into Bahasa Indonesia. The company will also rely on Telkomsel’s robust network to ensure optimal streaming quality across devices.

Dinesh Ratnam, senior managing director for Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore at iQIYI, outlined further plans to integrate into the local creative economy. “Besides our collaboration with Telkomsel on network stability and attractive service packages, iQIYI independently plans to work closely with prominent local content producers to create original Indonesian series and shows for global distribution,” he said.

“Additionally, we’ve noted the rising popularity of Chinese dramas among Indonesian viewers and will continue expanding our content offerings to meet this growing demand,” Ratnam added.

The Telkomsel partnership encompasses bundled mobile packages, co-branded promotions, and technical enhancements aimed at elevating user experience. For Telkomsel, which has a long history of digital collaboration, the tie-up with iQIYI adds to its growing roster of content-focused partnerships as it evolves into a broader digital lifestyle provider.

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