Bundling hotspot: Over a third of subscriptions in East Asia sold through indirect channels

More than a third (34%) of subscribers in East Asia now sign up to services exclusively via third-party bundles and offers — a growing trend of bundling that is already significantly higher than in the USA (20%), Latin America (21%), or even Europe (30%). In Japan, nearly 40% of subscribers are going indirect, the highest of any country Bango (LSE: BGO.L) has surveyed. That’s according to a survey from Bango of 5,000 subscribers across Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

As Western subscription services look to expand internationally, East Asia represents a market full of growth opportunities. The subscription economy there is thriving, with subscribers now juggling an average of 3.3 subscriptions per person and spending on average $29 each month ($348 per year) across video, music, gaming, retail and more. This figure is even higher in Taiwan, where subscribers manage 4.2 subscriptions and spend $35 monthly — driven in part by Taiwan’s strong gaming culture, where nearly half (42%) of subscribers pay for a gaming service, compared with only 25% in the USA.

However, for content providers eyeing expansion into the region, it’s important to recognize that content needs to be culturally relevant and localized. Bango found that 70% of East Asian subscribers prefer services that offer content in their native language.

This presents a significant opportunity for international content providers to tailor their offerings and capture new audiences in a rapidly evolving market.

Subscription Hubs and ‘Super Bundling’

As the market continues to grow, East Asian subscribers are also looking for ways to simplify their subscription management. Almost two thirds (64%) of subscribers want a single app to manage all their subscriptions and accounts — rising as high as 71% in South Korea. If such an app were available, well over half (60%) of subscribers say they would spend more time using their subscriptions, and half (50%) would sign up for more if they could manage everything in one place.

Super Bundling — consolidating all subscriptions into one manageable content hub — is emerging as the best solution to subscriber demands. Services like SK Telecom’s T Universe and AU by KDDI’s bundle offerings are already paving the way for this shift in East Asia. These platforms — similar to Verizon +play in the US — provide subscribers with more choice, flexibility, and control over their services, significantly simplifying management and improving the overall user experience.

Unlocking new growth

By enabling users to manage all their services in one place, Super Bundling can drive higher engagement, increase service uptake, and boost overall satisfaction. The Bango report highlights that over a third (37%) of East Asian subscribers would be willing to pay a higher bill if it included a package of popular subscriptions, with this number rising as high as 47% in South Korea.

More than half (60%) of subscribers would show greater loyalty to a brand offering an all-in-one subscription service, and 58% would recommend the brand to others. Better financial management is the standout benefit for East Asian subscribers, with 62% believing they would better manage household expenses if this service became available.

When it comes to providing Super Bundling, East Asia has a clear preference for telco companies: two-thirds (66%) want their mobile operator to offer Super Bundling packages. This demand is much higher than in the USA (50%), Europe (46%), or Latin America (55%).

Andy Suzuki, SVP APAC at Bango, said, “The subscription economy in East Asia continues to evolve and diversify through an ever-growing number of services available to consumers, providing a significant opportunity for global players.

With demand for localized content and streamlined subscription management, Super Bundling offers a clear path forward for international businesses. By working with local telcos and tailoring services to consumer preferences, content providers can unlock new revenue streams and build lasting consumer loyalty.”

To find out more East Asian subscriber trends, download Bango’s full Subscription Wars: Super Bundling Awakens, East Asia report here.

About Bango Bango enables content providers to reach more paying customers through global partnerships. Bango revolutionized the monetization of digital content and services, by opening-up online payments to mobile phone users worldwide. Today, the Digital Vending Machine® is driving the rapid growth of the subscriptions economy, powering choice and control for subscribers.

The world's largest content providers, including Amazon, Google and Microsoft, trust Bango technology to reach subscribers everywhere.

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Media contactHenry Soundy / Trisha [e-mail]