Australian telecom giant Optus owner Singtel has teamed up with Sony Pictures’ AXN Network and Warner Brothers to push video streaming service in Asia. HOOQ, the new service will work with AXN and Warner Bros. to buy, sell, produce and market movies, TV content via OTT (over-the-top content) service to a range of markets.
HOOQ will reportedly start service with approximately a catalog of 10,000 + movies and shows which will include Hollywood contents alongside domestic contents from India, China, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Korea and Japan.
The service will rollout to Indonesia, Philippines, India and Thailand, in the first quarter of 2015 and will not be only limited to credit card holders as it will have billing capabilities in the places where credit card ownership is low. This will be the first streaming service in Asia, and it’s biggest competitor Netflix have no footprint in this market so HOOQ is expected to have a smooth launch without much hurdles.
Mr Peter G. Bithos, CEO of HOOQ said: “We are starting this venture to change the way people across Asia view entertainment. Today, across developing markets, there is limited access to quality entertainment, streamed directly to the screen of one’s choice. It’s either illegal, high cost or difficult to get. We aim to fix that.”
“HOOQ will deliver a new form of entertainment that combines the best of Hollywood with the depth and richness of local Asian video content, across all devices at an affordable price,” he added.
( Source:- Singtel )
