Defying a ‘Saturated’ Market and Expanding K-Content’s Global Impact
KOCOWA, the premier Korean entertainment streaming platform formed by Korea’s major broadcasters KBS, MBC, and SBS, proudly marks its first anniversary in Europe and Oceania. In just one year, KOCOWA has demonstrated that even in a market dominated by global OTT giants and local broadcasters, the appetite for premium Korean content (K-Content) continues to grow rapidly and reach new audiences.
Key Milestones and Growth
Since its European launch in April 2024, KOCOWA has achieved an average monthly growth rate of nearly 20% across Europe and Oceania, underscoring the strong demand for Korean dramas, variety shows, and K-Pop, even in markets considered saturated. Notably, viewership among the 45+ age group in Spain and the UK has surged, proving K-Content’s appeal extends well beyond younger demographics. The platform’s robust library now offers over 40,000 hours of content, with subtitles in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, and Vietnamese released within hours of the original Korean broadcast, ensuring a near-real-time, immersive experience for viewers.
The European Streaming Landscape: Still Room for Growth
Despite perceptions of market maturity, Europe’s OTT sector remains dynamic. The market is projected to reach USD 32–54 billion by 2025, with annual revenue growth rates of 8–13%. Infrastructure improvements, particularly in Eastern Europe, are making high-quality streaming more accessible, supporting the rise of both subscription and advertising-based models. KOCOWA’s differentiated offering—curated Korean content, rapid localization, and interactive fan features—has enabled it to stand out amid fierce competition.
Differentiation Through Content and Community
KOCOWA’s success in Europe is driven by several key factors: ● Unmatched K-Content Library: With over 40,000 hours of dramas, variety shows, and K-Pop, KOCOWA offers the largest K-Content library outside Korea, partnering with more than 50 content providers and regularly adding new releases and exclusives. ● Aggressive and Innovative Marketing: In 2024, KOCOWA became the Official Korean Streaming Platform Partner for the English Premier League’s Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. (Wolves). This partnership included in-stadium LED advertising, digital content collaborations, and fan engagement campaigns. ● KOCOWA reached 3 billion EPL fans and gained millions of views and impressions on social media through curated partnership content like The impossible K-Pop quiz and Children’s Day. KOCOWA also gifted a Play on the Pitch experience to Wolves Foundation. ● Lightning-Fast, Multilingual Localization: Subtitles in multiple languages are available within 6–8 hours of broadcast, setting an industry benchmark for rapid, high-quality localization and reducing piracy risks. ● Fan-Driven Interactive Experiences: Real-time fan chat, live K-Pop events, and interactive viewing parties have fostered a strong global Hallyu (Korean Wave) community, increasing user engagement and loyalty.
KOCOWA’s Role in the Evolving European OTT Market
KOCOWA’s entry into Europe is more than just geographical expansion; it signals a shift in how international content can thrive in new territories. The platform’s rapid growth is supported by the rising demand for Korean dramas and K-Pop, with European fans increasingly open to international and niche content that is accessible and well-localized. KOCOWA’s success is also fueled by the global popularity of K-Content, which appeals to both diaspora communities and mainstream audiences seeking fresh entertainment experiences.
Popular titles in Europe include: Running Man, Home Alone, Oh My Ghost Clients, The Manager, Queen’s House, The Woman Who Swallowed the Sun, For Eagle Brothers, and Heart Pairing
Comments from subscribers in Europe and Oceania: “Glad this app exists in Australia, bringing K-Content in a legal manner.” “Best app for K-Drama and K-Variety.” “KOCOWA is slaying.” “This app is my favorite of all time.”
Looking Ahead: Continued Growth and Innovation
KOCOWA plans to expand subtitle language offerings, enhance the user interface, and introduce additional membership models to broaden accessibility. As K-Content continues to gain momentum in Europe, the platform is committed to cultural exchange, community involvement, and delivering the very best of Korean entertainment to global fans. The future of K-Content in Europe looks bright, with strong fan demand, increasing co-production and investment, and advanced localization strategies paving the way for even greater impact.
About KOCOWA+:
KOCOWA+ is a subscription video streaming platform in the Americas, launched in 2017, with primary audiences in the United States, Mexico, Brazil, South America, UK, EU, and Oceania. KOCOWA+ provides a robust lineup of over 40,000 hours of Korean Dramas, Movies, Reality, and K-Pop content in multiple languages on its direct platform. For more information, please visit www.kocowa.com.
A new 16-episode drama based on a webcomic about an ex-Navy officer turned taxi driver after his mother’s death by a serial killer. Do-Ki [Lee Je Hoon] now works for the Rainbow Taxi company delivering justice to the underserved with their straight to the point company motto: “Don’t Die, get Revenge. We’ll Do it for You.”
The penthouse
The award-winning story about Korea’s high society and the lengths they will take to stay on top, including revenge, betrayal, and even murder. One of 2020s biggest hits, and recognized at the 2020 SBS Drama Awards and the 2021 Baeksang Awards for it’s ensemble cast. The revenge continues with Season 3 premiering summer 2021.
Home Alone
Home Alone is a reality show that captures the everyday lives of your favorite celebrities in the most intimate setting, their homes. The show invites viewers to closely observe how celebrities actually live during their downtime when not performing on stage or acting on set. With Jun Hyun Moo, Park Na Rae, Han Hye Jin, and Lee Si Eon as the hosts, they observe the lives of their weekly celebrity guests, including actors and actresses, models, athletes, and comedians. Each episode has the hosts comment on their guest’s daily life which they have recorded in a “Big Brother” style format for everyone to view. No matter the gender, lifestyle, or personality, each celebrity has one thing in common – they all live alone!
Show Music Core
Since it’s inception in 2005, Show! Music Core is a music show that strives to be unique. Each week, a variety of artists perform, while viewers can listen, see, and experience the best that K-Pop has to offer. Cha Eun Woo and Xi Yeon introduce the top artists of the week, and viewers vote on their 3 favorite songs. Sing and dance along with your favorites and see which artists and songs will win the most popular song of the week.
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo
What else could there be to life other than barbells and heavy weights? Kim Bok Joo (Lee Sung Kyung) is a weightlifting phenom who has only focused on barbells her entire life while growing up with her single father, Kim Chang Gul (Ahn Gil Kang), a former weightlifter. However, Kim Bok-joo’s world is turned upside down when she starts to realize that there’s a little more to life than just lifting weights and starts to begrudgingly develop a love interest in Jung Joon Hyung (Nam Joo Hyuk). A boy she considers a distraction in her journey to receiving a gold medal.
Running Man
Running Man is a reality-competition show with a fixed cast starring Yu Jae Seok, Kim Jong Kook, Haha, Jee Seok Jin, Song Ji Hyo, Lee Kwang Soo, Jeon So Min, and Yang Se Chan. On special occasions they host celebrity guests such as BTS or even American actors such as Ryan Reynolds. In each episode, they must all complete a series of missions to win and be rewarded. Missions can range from simple games like the Egg and Spoon Race, Telephone, or more elaborate ones like, Capture the Flag inside an entire department store or even compete in Olympic style sports. Sometimes they work as a team and cooperate to reach a common goal. Other times they betray each other throughout the competition in order to win all the honor and glory for themselves. Each mission is action-packed and hilarious as each member tries to beat each other using their wits and skills. Each week is filled with fun that includes trust and betrayal, knowledge and skills, physical strengths, and outrageous penalties. You will cry laughing from all of their crazy antics!
Music Bank K-Chart
Music Bank K-Chart is KBS’s longest running music show and features the top 50 songs of the week. Every episode is a concert from all the popular artists of the week, and you can watch it all from the comforts of your home. From newly debuted rookies, artists comebacks, indie bands, globally recognized idol groups, and much more, there is something to satisfy all your K-pop needs. With eye-catching performances and beautiful melodies that will echo in your heart, this concert showcase will even attract the K-pop novice. Tune-in every week to see which artist and song will win the most popular song of the week.
The King of Mask Singer
The King of Mask Singer is the popular South Korean singing competition show, where contestants wear masks to hide their identity. The purpose of the mask is to dispel the prejudice that people often have of singers. Every week, the judges and the audience must vote for who will become the next King of Mask Singer. The show’s global recognition has even been adapted by FOX as, “The Masked Singer”, and has also been adapted around the world.
SBS Inkigayo
Since its inception in 2000, SBS Inkigayo has been a weekend music show which introduces viewers to Korea’s most popular artists. Every Sunday, famous artists as well as up and coming talent perform in front of a live audience. In order to get a better understanding of the music, the hosts interview their guests to showcase the songs from their recent singles and albums. Inkigayo also highlights each week’s trending songs and ends each episode by awarding the most popular artist. Tune-in to see who is the winner of the week, and enjoy the most popular K-Pop songs.