Boat Rocker Asia Expands into Korea with Scripted Format Sales

Boat Rocker has expanded its scripted format capabilities in Asia, and its Hong Kong-based sales team has closed various content sales and a format deal in Korea with Next Entertainment World.

The Korean production company, behind Train to Busan and Smugglers, has acquired the rights to adapt Orphan Black. Boat Rocker has also sold Orphan Black: Echoes, starring Krysten Ritter (Jessica Jones) and Keeley Hawes (Bodyguard), to Now Studio.

The Hong Kong-based sales team also brokered a format deal for a well-known third-party scripted title with a Hong Kong producer. More details will be revealed when the production team and cast have been confirmed.

“We’re delighted to have closed a deal with Next Entertainment World as we expand our focus in the Asian scripted marketplace with format sales, including representing third-party titles,” said Henry Or, senior VP of strategic partnerships for Asia at Boat Rocker. “There continues to be a strong appetite for premium scripted projects, and we’re looking forward to growing this line of business with our own award-winning IP and third-party content.”

Also, Boat Rocker scored several content sales to leading Asian streaming platforms. This includes the sale of the comedy Slip, starring Zoe Lister-Jones (Life in Pieces), to Watcha (Korea), CatchPlay+ (Taiwan and Indonesia) and Now Studio (Hong Kong and Macau). Now Studio also bought the sci-fi psychological thriller Beacon 23, starring Lena Headey (Game of Thrones) and Stephan James (Homecoming).