KUALA LUMPUR, 7 April 2026 – iQIYI International, Asia’s leading streaming platform and the home of Asian entertainment with over 6,000 hours of premium content, today reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Malaysia with the unveiling of its 2026 slate of Malay original productions at its Raya event, “Celebr-Eid with Team Raya iQIYI 2026,” graced by YB Teo Nie Ching, Deputy Minister of Communications of Malaysia; Mr. Zheng Xuefang, Minister of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia; and Mr. Yang Xianghua, President of iQIYI International.
Held in conjunction with the festive season, the event brought together local artistes, production partners, media, and industry stakeholders, alongside distinguished government officials, reflecting iQIYI’s growing role as both a content platform and active investor in Malaysia’s content creative ecosystem.
A Growing Platform for Malaysian Audiences
As the No.1 destination for Chinese entertainment, iQIYI is also seeing rapid growth in cross-cultural viewership.
Notably, C-drama has emerged as the fastest-growing genre in Malaysia, with Malay-subtitled C-drama viewership doubling, reflecting iQIYI’s success in reaching a broader and more diverse Malaysian audience.
“Raya is a meaningful time for communities and the creative industry to come together, and we are honoured to celebrate this with the partners, artists and creators that are shaping Malaysian storytelling,” said Dinesh Ratnam, Senior Managing Director of iQIYI Southeast Asia.
“We are proud to expand our commitment with new local Malaysian originals, while continuing to bring the best of Asian entertainment — from local stories to globally loved Chinese dramas — closer to Malaysian audiences.”
Expanding Malaysian Originals and Strengthening the Local Content Ecosystem
As part of its long-term strategy in Malaysia, iQIYI International continues to expand its investment in locally relevant storytelling.
The newly announced 2026 slate features five Malay original productions spanning family drama, romance, and suspense, including Dua Nyawa, Madu Atau Racun, Ceraikan Aku Sekali Lagi, Sekali Lagi, Bahagia, and Griya.
Since introducing local Malay dramas in 2020, iQIYI International Malaysia has steadily expanded its footprint in Malaysia, evolving from content acquisitions into active investment in local productions and partnerships.
To date, iQIYI has invested a significant amount in Malaysian content across both original productions and licensing, reflecting its long-term commitment to the local industry.
iQIYI has produced more than a dozen Malaysian original titles, including standout series such as Rampas Cintaku to Senyawa and more.
Beyond originals, iQIYI also works closely with key broadcast partners, including Media Prima, to bring some of Malaysia’s most popular titles to iQIYI. Together, these efforts contribute to a more comprehensive and competitive local content offering for Malaysian audiences.
Pushing further, iQIYI continues to collaborate closely with local production houses, artistes, and creative partners, contributing to the growth of Malaysia’s entertainment ecosystem.
The Raya Event brought together over 30 local artistes and industry partners, reinforcing iQIYI’s long-term presence and investment in the Malaysian market.
iQIYI Malaysia’s partner, Safi, with their Raya theme of “Memperindah versi Terbaikmu”, also highlighted its shared commitment with iQIYI to empower young Malaysian women through storytelling, creativity, and self-expression.
Riding the Rise of C-Drama Popularity and Bridging Entertainment Beyond the Screen
Chinese drama viewership on iQIYI Malaysia has grown significantly, with audiences from various ethnic backgrounds increasingly engaging with the content, reflecting the rising popularity of Chinese dramas in the local market.
According to Google Trends, searches related to “Chinese drama” in Malaysia have also been increasing, further indicating growing local interest in the genre.
To meet this growing demand, iQIYI offers many of the most popular Chinese drama titles to Malaysian audiences.
Beyond streaming, the iQIYI STARSHIP initiative brings fans closer to their favourite stars through immersive activations, celebrity appearances, fan engagement activities, and content showcases.
Reflecting the strong influence of Chinese drama and drawing closer to the Malaysian audience, iQIYI International Global Ambassador Esther Yu made a special appearance at the iQIYI Raya event, where her drama Speed and Love—the most popular Chinese drama on iQIYI Malaysia in 2025—earned her the Most Popular Chinese Drama Female Character of 2025 award.
These initiatives demonstrate iQIYI’s strategy to bridge digital entertainment with real-world experiences, strengthening fan engagement while bringing Chinese dramas closer to Malaysian audiences.
Looking Ahead
As competition intensifies across the streaming industry, iQIYI’s continued investment in local storytelling, together with its strong lineup of Chinese dramas and strategic partnerships, positions it to play a long-term role in shaping Malaysia’s evolving content landscape.
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