JAKARTA : Singapore's Chinese TV dramas are being well-received in Indonesia - a country where many people do not speak the language.
More than half a million households subscribe to MediaCorp's Channel 8i, carried by Indonesia's top pay-TV operator IndoVision.
That makes up almost a third of its subscriber base, which is the largest in Indonesia.
Some TV stars such as Jeanette Aw and Tay Ping Hui descended on Jakarta to meet fans and celebrate Channel 8i's first anniversary.
Actress Jeanette Aw said: "It is very rare we get to go and meet the fans from overseas, especially when our dramas are being shown over there...It makes me feel that all my hard work was worth it, especially when it has gone beyond the shores of Singapore."
Actor Tay Ping Hui commented: "In Singapore, we have our Malay friends and our Indian friends and they actually watch our shows. I am really glad that the crowd in Indonesia likes us."
To date, more than half a million households in Indonesia are paying to watch Singapore's Chinese dramas on IndoVision - Indonesia's top pay-TV operator.
Rudy Tanoesoedibjo, CEO of PT MNC Sky Vision, said: "This is half a million homes - not including hotels, apartments and commercial places. So 8i is seen by so many millions of eyeballs."
8i is IndoVision's first all-Chinese drama channel that runs 24 hours a day.
Mr Rudy said: "We will be launching the pay-per-view very soon. And we would like MediaCorp to take part in it by giving us the best and latest content."
Buoyed by its success in Indonesia, MediaCorp is looking at bringing 8i to other countries in the region.
Chang Long Jong, Deputy CEO of MediaCorp, said: "Immediately, we are looking at our other regional markets in ASEAN. For example, markets like Thailand, Vietnam, even Myanmar."
Obviously, it is the universal appeal of drama that has and will continue to draw viewers, regardless of language or nationality. And that has been the main ingredient of MediaCorp's success.
Familiarity was one other reasons cited for Channel 8i's success in Indonesia. Tens of thousands of Indonesians visit Singapore regularly. Nationals from Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar have also made Singapore one of their favourite destinations, and they too love TV dramas.
- CNA/ms
Singapore's Chinese TV dramas well-received in Indonesia
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Singapore's Chinese TV dramas well-received in Indonesia
