Warner Bros. Discovery and CJ ENM Form Strategic Partnership to Expand K-Content Reach

Warner Bros. Discovery and CJ ENM have revealed a sweeping multi-year partnership that will bring a pipeline of Korean drama and entertainment to HBO Max subscribers across Asia Pacific, marking one of the most significant collaborations between a Hollywood studio and a Korean content powerhouse.

Under the deal, HBO Max will become the streaming home for Tving — the CJ ENM-affiliated Korean streaming platform — in 17 markets across Asia Pacific, including Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The partnership includes the launch of a dedicated Tving branded hub on HBO Max in early 2026, featuring exclusive premieres of new original K-dramas alongside hundreds of hours of scripted and unscripted content from CJ ENM and TVING’s library.

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Ahead of the hub’s official launch, HBO Max will begin rolling out K-content titles starting in November, including the premiere of the highly anticipated drama “Dear X” on Nov. 6.

The two companies will also co-invest and co-produce original Korean drama for global distribution on HBO Max, creating a development pipeline designed to feed the growing international appetite for Korean storytelling.

“We are honored to partner with CJ ENM, a true leader in creating universally popular stories that resonate worldwide,” said David Zaslav, president and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery. “This collaboration marks a cornerstone of our commitment to great locally relevant stories in key markets around the world.”

Miky Lee, vice chair of CJ Group, added: “K-content captivates audiences everywhere with its creativity and originality. At CJ ENM, our mission has always been to connect people through the power of storytelling. This partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery takes that mission to a new level, combining Warner Bros. Discovery’s storytelling legacy with CJ’s unique voice. Together, we will deliver authentic narratives that transcend borders on a platform where fans can discover new favorites, revisit timeless classics, and experience the best in global content.”

The deal represents a strategic bet on Korean content for Warner Bros. Discovery, which has been working to strengthen HBO Max’s position in competitive Asian markets. For CJ ENM, it offers a powerful distribution channel to expand the reach of its content library and its TVING platform beyond Korea.

“HBO Max is the streaming destination for unique, premium storytelling so this partnership with CJ ENM, a leader in the enormously popular K-content genre, aligns perfectly with our strategy and brand,” said JB Perrette, CEO and president of global streaming and games at Warner Bros. Discovery.

Tving, founded in 2020, has rapidly emerged as a leader in Korea’s streaming landscape and is currently working on a merger with Wavve, another major Korean streaming service. As of August, Tving reported 7.56 million monthly active users, representing a 4.7% increase from May. The combined reach of Tving and Wavve approaches 10 million users.

The platform has built a reputation for acclaimed original series that have traveled well internationally. Tving’s “Death’s Game” ranks as one of the best K-dramas of 2024, while “Pyramid Game” was the only Korean content invited to Series Mania 2024, Europe’s largest TV series event. “Bargain” won best screenplay at the 2023 Cannes International Series Festival, becoming the first Korean streaming original series to win at the competition.

“CJ ENM has spearheaded the industrialization and global expansion of K-content over the past 30 years, positioning itself as a global IP powerhouse,” said Pious Jung, CEO of CJ America and president of content, global business for CJ ENM. “Through our extensive partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, we will strive for the sustainable growth of K-culture, which has now become a lifestyle for many across the globe.”

Further details on the Tving branded hub and content lineup will be revealed in the coming months.