With its subscriber base growing 175% year-on-year, the Chinese streaming platform is strengthening its presence in Indonesia through its popular C-Drama lineup, eight upcoming Indonesian original series, and strategic local partnerships.

JAKARTA, November 13, 2026 – Indonesia is becoming an increasingly important growth market for iQIYI as the Chinese streaming platform capitalizes on the rising popularity of Chinese dramas (C-Dramas) while expanding its investment in local productions.

The platform’s strategy appears to be gaining traction. According to Media Partners Asia (MPA)’s Q2 2026 report, iQIYI ranked among the top three OTT platforms in Indonesia based on total viewing time. Its subscriber base also recorded impressive growth, increasing by 175% in the 12 months leading up to the end of October 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier.

The figures highlight iQIYI’s growing presence in Indonesia’s competitive streaming landscape, where the platform is positioning Chinese and Indonesian content as its two key drivers of growth.

Speaking to the media after iQIYI iJOY Indonesia 2027 in Jakarta on Friday (November 13), Dinesh Ratnam, Senior Managing Director of iQIYI Southeast Asia, said the company’s performance reflects the growing appetite among Indonesian audiences for Chinese entertainment.

“We are the third-largest OTT platform in Indonesia in terms of viewing hours. That’s very encouraging for us because most of our key content comes from China. We don’t produce sports, Western content, or Korean content. Most of our offerings are Chinese and local productions,” Dinesh said.

C-Drama Popularity Becomes a Key Growth Driver

For iQIYI, the growing popularity of C-Dramas has become a significant opportunity to strengthen its position in Indonesia.

Dinesh noted that the increasing interest in Chinese entertainment can be seen not only through the company’s internal viewing data but also through conversations across social media and broader consumer trends.

“We are seeing more and more Indonesians becoming interested in Chinese content. Whether through our data, external observations, social media discussions, or activity on our own platform, there is clearly a growing appetite for more Chinese entertainment,” he said.

He also observed that the influence of Chinese culture in Indonesia extends beyond entertainment, with growing visibility across consumer products, automotive, food, and beverages.

Within the entertainment industry, the popularity of Chinese actors has also created its own fan culture. Similar to how Korean drama fans use the term “oppa” when referring to their favorite male stars, C-Drama fans have increasingly adopted the Chinese term “gege.”

This growing cultural connection presents an opportunity for iQIYI to further expand its Chinese content offerings and strengthen its relationship with local audiences.

Following the relaunch of its service in Indonesia in June 2025, the company has continued to build its subscriber base by focusing on content that resonates with local viewing preferences.

Competing Through Content, Affordability, and Accessibility

Despite the growing number of players in Indonesia’s OTT market, iQIYI believes its focused content strategy gives it a distinct position.

Rather than concentrating heavily on competitors, Dinesh said the company prioritizes understanding what audiences want and delivering an entertainment experience that meets their expectations.

“It’s certainly a crowded market, with many players. But for us, we’re very focused on Chinese content. That’s our strength, and so far, we’ve demonstrated that we can deliver on it,” he said.

According to Dinesh, viewers are looking for three essential things: quality entertainment, affordable pricing, and convenient access.

“As long as we stay focused on what audiences want and serve them better and more affordably, we believe this market will continue to grow. People want great content at an affordable price, along with convenience and flexibility,” he explained.

This audience-first approach remains central to iQIYI’s strategy as it seeks to attract more subscribers across Indonesia.

The company also plans to expand its reach through partnerships with strategic business partners that share similar objectives and target audiences.

Dinesh explained that collaborations can help both parties leverage their respective user bases and distribution capabilities to reach more consumers across the country.

“We provide the entertainment and the platform, while our partners may already have their own user base. By combining our strengths with more partners, we can reach more Indonesians on a bigger scale and at a faster pace,” he said.

Eight New Indonesian Originals Signal Stronger Local Investment

While C-Dramas remain a major pillar of iQIYI’s business, the company is also stepping up its investment in Indonesian original productions.

At iQIYI iJOY Indonesia 2027, the platform announced eight upcoming Indonesian original series, reinforcing its commitment to developing local stories and collaborating with the country’s creative industry.

Throughout 2026, iQIYI had already released three Indonesian original series: Bunga di Tepi Jurang (Dangerous Rose), Dalam Suka dan Dusta (We Both Cheating, Darling), and Bercinta Dengan Maut (The Other Sister).

Building on these releases, the upcoming lineup will bring together established production houses and Indonesian creative talents across various genres, including romance, drama, mystery, fantasy, and suspense.

The eight titles include Terikat Akad, Assalamualaikum Maduku, Cinta Setengah Mati, Asmara Penuh Dendam, Run 2022, Rampas Cintaku, La Tahzan The Series, and Bercinta Dengan Maut Season 2.

To support its local content strategy, iQIYI is working with several prominent Indonesian production houses, including MD Entertainment, Leo Pictures, Hitmaker Studios, Screenplay Films, Rapi Films, Sinemaku Pictures, MVP Entertainment, Katalist Pictures, Unlimited Production, and Mandela Pictures.

The platform is also exploring new entertainment formats beyond conventional streaming series. Through collaborations with local television networks, iQIYI is developing La Tahzan The Series with MDTV and Bercinta Dengan Maut Sinetron with ANTV, marking its expansion into the traditional Indonesian television drama format.

“Indonesia is a long-term growth market for us. We will continue investing in Chinese content, but we also want to invest in local productions,” Dinesh emphasized.

The dual strategy reflects iQIYI’s ambition to bring popular Asian entertainment to Indonesian audiences while creating more opportunities for homegrown stories to reach viewers beyond the domestic market.

Xu Kai Adds Star Power to iQIYI Indonesian Expansion

Beyond its business developments and content announcements, iQIYI iJOY Indonesia 2027 also featured a special appearance by Chinese actor Xu Kai, who was recently appointed as the iQIYI International Global Ambassador.

His appearance in Jakarta brought an additional dimension to the event, connecting the platform’s growing C-Drama audience with one of China’s popular entertainment stars.

Through its iQIYI Starship initiative, the platform aims to create closer connections between Asian celebrities and international fan communities through exclusive offline experiences, including interactive Q&A sessions, games, and special merchandise.

Xu Kai’s presence highlights iQIYI’s efforts to build a stronger entertainment ecosystem that goes beyond digital streaming by bringing actors and their fans together in real life.

Building Long-Term Growth in Indonesia

With a subscriber base growing rapidly, a strong position in viewing time, and increasing investments in both Chinese and Indonesian content, iQIYI is looking to strengthen its foothold in one of Southeast Asia’s most competitive digital entertainment markets.

The company’s strategy combines the established appeal of C-Dramas with the growing potential of Indonesian original productions, supported by strategic partnerships and closer engagement with fans.

As Indonesian audiences continue to embrace diverse forms of Asian entertainment, iQIYI sees an opportunity not only to expand its business but also to become a bridge connecting Chinese and Indonesian creative industries.

For iQIYI, the next chapter in Indonesia is about more than bringing international hits to local screens. It is also about investing in local stories and helping them find audiences beyond borders.