Astro, Telkomsel Partner on Horror Drama

Indonesian telco Telkomsel is working with Malaysian pay-TV operator Astro on a horror drama, Nawangsih, for its video streaming app, MAXstream.

“As a video streaming service, MAXstream has been consistently offering digital video content for the users as well as empowering Indonesian creatives to hone their craft by using our platform to amplify the reach of their work to the wider public,” said Crispin Tristram, Telkomsel’s head of digital lifestyle. “This is in line with our mission in developing the Indonesian digital ecosystem and give the best digital lifestyle experience.”

Agnes Rozario, Astro’s director of content, added, “Astro is thrilled with the release of Nawangsih, our first co-production with our partner Telkomsel. We believe in storytelling and are committed to bringing more of these to life with like-minded partners. We hope to replicate the success of our previous Indonesian productions, Gantung and Dosa, and have lined a slate of potential content IPs for development across different genres and formats from films to series to short-form digital shows. With Nawangsih, we have undoubtedly strengthened our dynamic relationship with Telkomsel and this collaboration is only the first of many more to come.”

The ten-episode series, which launched this week, hails from Indonesian singer and songwriter Melly Goeslow and is directed by Hedy Suryawan. It is part of Telkomsel’s efforts to expand its IP investments. “Telkomsel will continue to seriously work on the video service segment to increase the penetration of films and other video contents in Indonesia,” Tristram said.