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Iflix reveals first original TV series in Malaysia

South East Asian online streaming service Iflix has released its first original television series as it competes against Netflix and HOOQ for a share of the region’s rapidly expanding content market.

Watch your mouth: Iflix’s first original series goes for a comedic edge

The Kuala Lumpur-headquartered firm has released the Malaysian series Oi! Jaga Mulut, which roughly translates as ‘watch your mouth’, in a bid to create “the next generation of Malaysian comedy never before seen on local TV”.

The seven-part series features “uncensored” stand-up performances and improvised games by a number of amateur comedians. Following its release in Malaysia, the network expects to roll out versions in the Philippines and Indonesia.

According to Iflix, the show will tackle “taboo subjects” that are unlikely to be aired on Malaysian mainstream television.

The trailer can be viewed here:

Iflix global director of original commissioning Mark Francis said: “Our first original production, Oi! Jaga Mulut, underlines our ambition to lead an entertainment revolution in emerging markets. Stand-up is still very young in this part of the world, but it’s a great way to localise our content offering because we’re doing it through the unique voices of local talent who want to push the envelope, too.”

He added: “We realise not everybody gets to go to comedy clubs, so with this show we’re putting that opportunity directly in your hands. We want to grow appreciation for stand-up and establish Iflix as new home for the region’s most talented comics.”

Iflix currently operates in 18  countries throughout Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, and recently announced its intention to make the service available in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Global on-demand giant Netflix has largely made its name out of its original programs, including the drama series Orange is the New Black and House of Cards.

Meanwhile, the Sony Pictures Television and Warner Bros-backed service HOOQ recently announced its intention to create five new Asian originals to stream on its service.

The South East Asian network, which operates in Thailand, the Philippines, India, Indonesia and Singapore, said it would roll out the projects in Asia this year.

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