Medialink
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Content licensing and distribution |
| Founded | March 1994 |
| Founder | Lovinia Chiu |
| Headquarters | Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon , Hong Kong |
Area served | Asia (Southeast Asia, South Asia, Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Micronesia, Polynesia) |
Key people | Lovinia Chiu (CEO and chairman), Noletta Chiu (executive director), Ching Fung Ma (CFO) |
| Products | Anime content distribution, brand licensing, merchandising, VOD services |
| Owner | RLA Company Limited (75%) |
Number of employees | 99 |
Medialink Group Limited is a content licensing and distribution company headquartered in Hong Kong, with a specialization in Japanese anime and brand licensing. Based on Mody Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Medialink primarily caters to markets across Asia on a global scale.
The enterprise was established by Lovinia Chiu in March 1994 under the name Medialink International Limited. In 2018, it unified Medialink Entertainment and Medialink Animation International to form the current Medialink Group. The company was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2019. Leading figures include CEO and chairman Lovinia Chiu, executive director Noletta Chiu, and CFO Ching Fung Ma.
Medialink’s core operations revolve around distributing anime content and managing merchandising activities. In 2020, it reported revenues of HKD 315.1 million, operating profits of HKD 50 million, and net earnings of HKD 36 million. Total assets rose to HKD 619.1 million during the same period. The firm is predominantly owned (75%) by RLA Company Limited and employs a workforce of 99 across subsidiaries such as MediaLink Licensing Holdings, Medialink Entertainment Holdings, and Medialink Investment Holdings.
Anime distribution
Content acquisition and distribution of Japanese anime throughout Southeast Asia, South Asia, Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Micronesia, and Polynesia are managed by Medialink Entertainment. Instead of releasing proprietary titles directly, the company collaborates with partners like Asia Video Publishing (Hong Kong), CaiChang International Multimedia (Taiwan), Dream Express (DEX), and formerly Rose Media and Entertainment (Thailand) to handle home video releases.
Additionally, Medialink sub-licenses selected anime series to various streaming platforms and television broadcasters. In 2018, it introduced Ani-One, a brand dedicated to simulcasting new anime titles alongside distributing classic series via partner platforms. Notable clients include Netflix, Animax Asia, iQIYI, Bilibili, Dimsum, as well as multiple regional streaming services. Since October 2019, Ani-One has also provided content through its own YouTube channel. On 10 April 2021, Medialink entered into a distribution agreement with Mediacorp to offer titles on meWATCH. Subsequently, on 1 July 2021, it launched Ani-One ULTRA—a subscription service on YouTube delivering simulcasts and timeless anime for HKD 20 per month.
In 2019, Medialink broadened its scope by engaging in co-production and co-financing of anime projects to strengthen its position within the market.
Brand licensing
The brand licensing segment is overseen by Medialink Animation International, which manages rights for renowned properties such as Garfield, Popeye, Betty Boop, The Little Prince, and My Hero Academia.
Ani-Mall
Responding to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Medialink unveiled Ani-Mall in August 2020—an online retail platform offering apparel, toys, and merchandise themed around its licensed anime brands.
Ani-Kids
On 19 September 2020, the company launched Ani-Kids, an educational entertainment video-on-demand service hosted on MyTV SUPER aimed at preschool-aged audiences.
Ani-Mi
On 18 October 2023, Medialink collaborated with Bilibili to distribute and license Chinese animation (donghua) series across Southeast Asia by introducing the Ani-Mi VOD platform to enhance its regional streaming portfolio.
Movie production and distribution
Medialink has ventured into the realm of film production and distribution, partnering with mm2 Entertainment on projects such as One Second Champion and Drifting (2021). Additionally, it managed the release of the anime movie Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle across Asian territories.