Taiwan+, an international audio-visual streaming platform, has obtained the exclusive worldwide premiere rights for PTV’s historical drama series "Seqalu: Formosa 1867 (斯卡羅)" outside Taiwan, which it will broadcast to the world. The launching ceremony will be held at the outdoor plaza in front of the National Taiwan Museum in the evening on August 30.
Taiwan’s indigenous singer Sangpuy (桑布伊), the winner of the Golden Melody Award, will perform live at the opening. Additionally, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), and Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) offer their congratulations to Taiwan+. Those present at the ceremony include vice president Lai Ching-te (賴清德), president of Legislative Yuan Yu Si-kun (游錫堃), Culture Minister Lee Yung-te, and ambassador of Saint Kitts and Nevis Jasmine Elise Huggins.
Taiwan+ pointed out that since the broadcast of "Seqalu: Formosa 1867," many overseas viewers have inquired about the viewing platforms. Having obtained the world’s exclusive premiere rights outside of Taiwan, Taiwan+ will broadcast six episodes at a time from August 30. The episodes will accompany English subtitles for overseas Taiwanese and international audiences, after which it will be synchronized with PTV and be available for free on Taiwan+ website, Taiwan +APP and YouTube channel. Currently, "Seqalu" is available on Public Television (PTV) and various streaming platforms.
"Seqalu: Formosa 1867" was created by Golden Bell Award winner Tsao Jui-yuan (曹瑞原) who directed "A Touch of Green (一把青)." It took nearly 3 years and more than NT$202 million spent to produce 12 episodes.
The whole play is adapted from the novel "The Flower of Ga Le (傀儡花)" by author and physician Chen Yao-chang (陳耀昌). The story of the drama series is set in 1867, where crew members of the American merchant ship "Rover" was beheaded for accidentally breaking into the Paiwan territory. This triggered the United States to retaliate by sending troops to Taiwan, and the Qing government to suppress the Paiwan tribes, now referred to as the Rover Incident. The drama is intended to help the audience recognize the local history of Taiwan.
Funded by Ministry of Culture and operated by Central News Agency, Taiwan+ is intended to serve as Taiwan's first video streaming platform geared toward an English-speaking audience. The platform aims to present the country's latest news, vibrant culture, diversity and beauty to the world.