Mediacorp takes local drama regional with Netflix deal

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Mediacorp has struck its largest pre-sale deal with Netflix, with the streaming giant acquiring three premium local drama titles ahead of their free-to-air premieres: The Leftovers 幸存者, Chilli Crab Flower Club 辛蟹社 and Durrani – Perjuangan Lion Mum.

The acquisition underscores growing regional demand for Singapore storytelling, covering Southeast Asian markets including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Timor-Leste. The three titles were bought for their production ambition and distinctive narratives, from cutting-edge virtual production to stage-to-screen adaptations.

Leading the slate is Durrani – Perjuangan Lion Mum, a 15-episode Malay-language spin-off from the popular Lion Mums franchise. Produced by Ochre Pictures, it follows character Durrani navigating family law while juggling her own personal challenges. The series stars Nurul Aini and Fir Rahman, and will simulcast on Netflix and mewatch Prime from 30 March, before its free-to-air premiere on Mediacorp Suria on 7 April.

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The Leftovers 幸存者, Mediacorp’s first dystopian crime thriller, is an in-house production featuring Li Nanxing, Jesseca Liu and Zhang Ze Tong. The eight-episode-per-season series uses advanced virtual production to depict an underground boxer caught in an organ trafficking syndicate. It debuts on Netflix and mewatch Prime on 9 November, with free-to-air release on Channel 8 from 16 November.

Rounding out the trio is Chilli Crab Flower Club 辛蟹社, a 15-part Mandarin socio-family mystery thriller adapted from the award-winning play The Crab Flower Club. Produced by Ochre Pictures, the series stars He Ying Ying, Jesseca Liu, Juin Teh, Xu Bin, Jeffrey Xu and Ya Hui, and explores a dying tycoon unveiling his heir amidst family secrets. It premieres on Netflix and mewatch Prime on 1 February 2027, with Channel 8 broadcast from 9 February.

“This pre-sale with Netflix reflects the growing demand for premium Singapore content and the strength of our storytelling across genres. Each title brings its own voice and scale, highlighting how we continue to evolve both creatively and commercially," said Jeslyn Wong, head of content distribution, Mediacorp.

"It also signals our ambition to reach wider audiences. Partnering with Netflix allows us to broaden our reach and connect with viewers across Southeast Asia and beyond," she added.

Mediacorp’s strategic push into regional streaming builds on its broader efforts to unify premium content and advertising solutions, exemplified by its recent partnership with StarHub. Under that tie-up, Mediacorp’s mewatch will carry StarHub TV+ packages. This includes global blockbusters, live sports, Asian dramas and popular shows, while offering flexible micro-packages and free subscription options.

The collaboration also enables precision-targeted live TV ad insertion, giving advertisers integrated reach across TV and digital platforms, and reflects a wider commitment to strengthening Singapore’s media ecosystem, supporting local talent and driving innovation in content delivery.

Be part of #Content360 Singapore, 22–23 April 2026, where creativity and culture collide. Explore how AI-driven storytelling is shaping the future of content, gain practical insights, discover new tactics, and learn how the best in Asia are creating campaigns that truly resonate.

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