LINE TV (CHOCOLABS)

LINE TV, a video-on-demand service owned by the Japan-based LINE Corporation, primarily operated in Taiwan and, formerly, Thailand. The platform launched in Thailand in 2015, growing into a major online video destination with over 40 million users by 2019. It later expanded its reach to Taiwan and, in 2020, to an additional nineteen territories, including markets in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the United States. The service was instrumental in elevating the popularity of the boys' love (BL) genre from Thailand, distributing these series to a global audience.

The business operated on a free-to-access, advertisement-supported model. Its content library was a mix of licensed programming from local television networks and original productions developed through partnerships with studios. The service was accessible through mobile applications, digital media players, and its website, tv.line.me. While the platform curated a wide range of genres, it carved a significant niche with its collection of Thai dramas and by becoming a key distributor for BL content.

Despite its initial success and large user base in Thailand, the company ceased operations in that market at the end of 2021. The closure was attributed to a highly competitive streaming landscape, the rising expense of content licensing, and a strategic decision to divest from business units that were not profitable. The LINE TV service, however, continues to operate in Taiwan, offering a diverse slate of content that includes Taiwanese, Korean, and Chinese dramas, variety shows, anime, and movies.

Keywords: LINE TV, video on demand, streaming service, over-the-top media, Thai drama, boys' love series, BL genre, digital content, online video platform, advertisement-supported VOD, LINE Corporation, Taiwan streaming, Asian drama, original content production, content licensing, mobile streaming, web series