The current media trend for ‘microdramas’ – mobile-delivered and professionally-acted video dramas lasting as little as a minute – is being utilised by Philippine online gaming provider DigiPlus Interactive Corp.
The company confirmed in a Wednesday update it had teamed with Philippine commercial broadcaster GMA Network to produce microdramas featuring local stars, for the DigiPlus online gaming app, BingoPlus.
In the Philippines, DigiPlus runs BingoPlus, described as the country’s first government-approved online bingo platform. It also operates ArenaPlus, a sportsbook, and GameZone, a platform for casual and arcade gaming.
BingoPlus president Jasper Vicencio was cited as saying of the new tie with GMA Network and its media content: “By delivering high-quality, bite-sized narratives, we are not just expanding our platform – we are meeting our users exactly where they are: on their mobile devices, demanding premium, easily digestible content.”
He added: “This initiative solidifies our commitment to multiplying the fun and setting a new standard for mobile entertainment that is accessible to every Filipino with a smartphone.”
Annette Gozon Valdes, senior vice president at the broadcaster was quoted saying: “GMA Network is thrilled to be in this continuous partnership with a digital leader like DigiPlus to bring our narrative content to a broader, mobile-first audience.”
She added: “The vertical drama format allows our Sparkle talents and compelling storytelling to shine in a way that perfectly captures the attention of today’s viewers.”
The latter was a reference to Sparkle GMA Artist Center, a talent-management arm of GMA Network in the Philippines.
GMA Network’s collaboration with DigiPlus involves “40 micro-episodes” said to run just one or two minutes each.
In remarks to reporters in December, Mr Vicencio had said the partnership with GMA Network would use what is known as a “freemium” model, where a few episodes are free before requiring users to pay for a subscription to continue watching. “It adds operational value to our digital ecosystem,” he stated.
The news of the tie with GMA Network comes a day after DigiPlus announced a partnership with Filipino boxing star Manny Pacquiao, and a slate of co-branded online games for all three of its domestic platforms.
