A Case for Spanish Telenovelas on Drama Sites
DramaFever is the largest online video site for the distribution of international televised content. The company streams movies, documentaries, and TV shows on demand with professional subtitles. Wikipedia
Founded: 2009
Founders: Seung Bak, Suk Park
DramaFever's current library includes Korean Dramas, Latin American Telenovelas, and a wide selection of Asian TV shows and movies for free.
Source: Google Website
Viki
Viki is a video streaming website based in Singapore that offers on-demand streaming video of TV shows, movies, and music videos from around the world. The company currently has offices in Singapore, San Francisco, and Seoul, South Korea. WikipediaFounded: 2007
Viki was born as a joint class project between Harvard and Stanford graduate students who wanted to remove barriers to popular entertainment, regardless of language or country of origin.
Source: Viki About Page
I will be the first to say that I am an International person and have an International way of thinking. Since as long as I can remember, I have always had an deep interest in different cultures. Whether it was books that I've read or movies that I've watched, it has always been there.
I remember many Saturdays going with my older brother to Chinese movies, mostly martial art ones and enjoying them, not only because I got to spend the most time with my older brother but I genuinely loved watching them with him.
So where am I going with this blog? I am getting sick and tired of reading these asinine comments from Dramafever viewers complaining about non-Asian dramas that the website is now featuring. Every single time there is a new release, there is a barrage of asinine comments about how they shouldn't be there; Dramafever this, Dramafever that. It is ridiculous and childish.
I wonder if people have any idea about the business model concept that Dramafever has been following? Starting when they went public over a year ago; continuing with the partnerships with giants such as Netflix and Hulu as well as Asian CineVision and financial backing from Bertelsmann, AMC Cable Televison & NALA (see Article). Somehow we (some) think licensing is free for these dramas. Far from it! They cost wons/dollars/yens/whatever! The film industry has to get paid; actors must get paid, everyone must get paid!
You're wondering why I'm even mentioning Viki? Because, the one thing I always thought that Viki did better (besides being free, in a sense) was the variety; diversity of the dramas/movies that they provided. I'll admit that sometimes I get tired of KDramas and that is when I find it really hard to find other types of dramas (Japanese being the hardest); however, Viki was always a place that I could find that 'different' type of drama. Thanks to Viki, I've watched Filipino, Venezulean, and Indonesian (okay, this is not a rant about how subbers should get a stipend, that's for another date).
So, it was with welcome arms that I loved the new additions to Dramafever! My first non-Asian drama on Dramafever was MonteCristo, followed by Aquila Roja and Isabel. I look forward to some of the new additions, especially the sequels for both Aquila Roja and Isabel. Both of these dramas were a history buff's dream! It was great to watch something that I was actually familiar with from all of that studying I did in the Humanities!
So, if you are one of those people that are complaining, here is what I have to say:
Dramafever is in the business of providing a service as well as make money. You CAN'T make money without providing a service. There is a market out there for not only Korean, Japanese but also other dramas like Spanish telnovelas! This is where Viki excels and I am happy to see Dramafever get into the game! Somehow people are under the delusion that licensing is free! It costs money! Dramafever needs to generate that money so that they can provide more and more dramas! People just need to get over the fact that there are Spanish telenovelas on the site. Love it or Leave it!Well, rant over. If I've offended anyone. Sorry. I just had to get this off my chest once and for all!
Currently watching Una Maid En Manhattan on Dramafever. Me Likey!!
Monte Cristo was the spanish-speaking drama I watched as well. I agree, there is more to life than KDramas. Other Asian and non-Asian countries have their own unique shows.
ReplyDeleteI don't like DF just because of their heavy-handed tactics to monopolize this market, and their mobile app isn't as easily navigated as Viki's.
But to your main point, yes, those people need to get over themselves. How can you appreciate one medium without trying others?
I welcome all comments but I'm glad to see that people understand. I think it's less about DF trying to monopolizes and more about the agreements they sign; however, in their quest to honor those agreements, sometimes they go over board. Working on a University campus, I'm well aware of licensing agreements and the fact that you, the licensee can be penalized BIG time. That would explain their overzealousness.
DeleteI never understood what they were so upset about. I mean, watch whatever the heck you want. And if you don't care about the dramas from Spain (or wherever) then, you know, don't. watch. them. Seems simple enough. lol
ReplyDeleteThanks. I was wondering if I was the only one who just didn't get it!
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