WarnerMedia unveils Asia hub in Singapore ahead of HBO Max launch

WarnerMedia has launched its new regional hub for Asia (excluding China and Japan) in Singapore. The hub was opened by Singapore’s Minister for Communications and Information (MCI) Josephine Teo, and will fully integrate WarnerMedia’s business in the region, including Warner Bros., HBO and Turner brands. It will also house the new streaming platform HBO Max, which is expected to launch in its first Asian markets in the near future.  According to a statement by Teo, the new hub allows Warner to work with local professionals and companies to produce original content, and opens up the region to the rest of the world. The hub also consolidates six different WarnerMedia offices across Singapore and two from Hong Kong. 

Clement Schwebig, managing director of WarnerMedia for India, Southeast Asia and Korea, said that its new flagship office will bring together the most incredible parts of its diverse business – from Harry Potter’s Wizarding World to Looney Tunes, Game of Thrones and Wonder Woman – under one roof for the first time. “Here in Singapore, we have long supported a sizeable ecosystem for the entertainment, broadcast, production and licensing industries. From our new Singapore hub, we will continue with our ambitious plans for the region,” he added. 

WarnerMedia will also substantially increase additional roles in Singapore in the coming years, including those in the technology field as the company increases focus on its direct-to-consumer streaming business, which will be led by Amit Malhotra, MD for HBO Max in Southeast Asia, India and Korea. “As we get ready to launch HBO Max in our first Asian markets, we’ll build on WarnerMedia’s legacy of incredible stories and introduce a brand-new streaming experience for our fans in the region,” said Malhotra. Malhotra was previously with Disney+ where he was instrumental to the launch of the service in Southeast Asia. Currently, Malhotra is responsible for the rollout and management of WarnerMedia’s direct-to-consumer platform in Southeast Asia, and will immediately assume responsibility for the management of HBO GO, WarnerMedia’s existing OTT streaming service available in eight territories across Southeast Asia.

Lew Chuen Hong, chief executive of the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore also joined the office tour during the launch. He said that there is tremendous potential in this region, and the new hub signals the central role that Singapore plays in WarnerMedia’s expansion plans, including opportunities that will be created for media talents and the broader ecosystem, both in Singapore and in Asia. The hub is located at Solaris in Fusionopolis, the city state’s media and tech business park, and occupies 40,000sqft across two floors. the hub was designed by Singapore firm ID21 and incorporates a post-COVID and flexible work environment inspired by an “Activity Based Work” strategy. 

The opening ceremony also saw special guests, including  notable Singaporean filmmakers and storytellers Eric Khoo and Ler Jiyuan.

WarnerMedia is a media and entertainment company that creates and distributes premium and popular content from a diverse array of storytellers and journalists to global audiences through its consumer brands, such as HBO, HBO Max, Warner Bros., CNN, and Adult Swim. WarnerMedia also includes Xandr’s suite of advanced advertising solutions designed to help to improve advertising for brands, publishers, and consumers.

Earlier this year, WarnerMedia’s entertainment, sports and news assets merged with Discovery’s nonfiction and international entertainment and sports businesses in a US$43 billion deal. Titled "Warner Bros. Discovery", the new standalone global entertainment company will include channels such as HBO, Warner Bros., Discovery, DC Comics, CNN, Cartoon Network, among others; and will be led by Discovery president and CEO David Zaslav.

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