ViacomCBS International Studios and Wattpad Webtoon Studios, a global entertainment and publishing arm for Webtoon and Wattpad, have announced a new global partnership to source emerging content and creatives to develop a slate of original series based on Wattpad and Webtoon stories.    

Under the deal, Wattpad Webtoon Studios and ViacomCBS International Studios will work together to identify stories from Wattpad and Webtoon’s global IP libraries of digital comics and stories. Wattpad Webtoon Studios and ViacomCBS International Studios’ production arm, VIS, will co-produce content for ViacomCBS’ networks and platforms, including Paramount+.   

With Wattpad Webtoon Studios’ audience geography and sentiment insights, the companies will identify local and regional hits with global appeal, spanning Latin America, Europe, the U.K. and other international markets.  

“ViacomCBS International Studios is committed to telling authentic, local stories from emerging creatives from all corners of the world, and through this mission, we’ve expanded to become one of the leading creators of content globally,” says Ari Tan, vice president, head of strategy, ViacomCBS International Studios. “Now through our partnership with Wattpad Webtoon Studios, we’ll have the opportunity to use this exciting, data-driven approach to inform our storytelling and amplify new creative talents through our global platforms.”    

“Wattpad Webtoon Studios is home to some of the most exciting new voices in comics and literature," says Aron Levitz, president, Wattpad Webtoon Studios.“Between our massive global IP catalogue with built-in fandoms, and a roster of superstar comic artists and indie authors, we’re fueling a new era of data-backed entertainment. We’re thrilled to work with ViacomCBS International Studios, a company that shares our vision to transform entertainment by elevating the creativity and fandoms of a new generation of storytellers. Working together with ViacomCBS International Studios, we’ll bring more diverse, original voices to screens all over the world.”