Viu launches SVOD in Singapore with Singtel

Viu launches premium subscription in Singapore with Singtel

HONG KONG — PCCW Media’s OTT video service, Viu, has launched premium subscription service in Singapore with telco partner, Singtel, the largest telecommunications company in Singapore, offering viewers unlimited downloads of their favourite content.

Hailed as Southeast Asia’s first unlimited downloads* OTT video service, Viu leverages on the quality network of Singtel to provide Viu premium subscribers with priority viewing of a vast library of content, such as the current Korean hit drama, Uncontrollably Fond, which premiered on July 6 and is aired with English subtitle right after Korean telecast for Viu premium subscribers. The fast turnaround with subtitles, first-ever in the region, is also available on Viu at the same time frame in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Viu premium subscribers also get to watch the latest Korean dramas and variety shows from the Big 4 Korean broadcasters and Japanese dramas as fast as 8 hours after telecast in Korea, enjoy 1080p HD quality and exclusive content window of the latest content with very limited ads. Meanwhile, Viu freemium users will continue to have access to Viu’s huge catalogue of Asian content for free. All users can also enjoy Viu’s user-friendly functions such as multi-screen access, download-to-stream capability and multi-device synchronization when streaming, providing users with a truly seamless viewing experience on-the-go.

Initially launched as a freemium OTT service last October, Viu has seen tremendous growth in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, India and Indonesia. In Hong Kong, Viu app downloads already surpassed 1.6 million while in Singapore, it has recorded over 500,000 downloads in the short span of four months following its January launch**. Meanwhile, Viu is well-supported by a host of advertisers in the region including leading brands such as P&G, Nestle, Kao, Wyneth, Samsung, LG, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, KFC, FedEx, IKEA, Expedia, Emirates and more. More importantly, users are actively engaged, averaging 1.82 hours^ of viewing time daily on the mobile app.

Riding on its success in appealing to a vast segment of Singapore’s netizens, Viu is now available for users to upgrade to Viu premium at the attractive monthly fee of SGD 6.98. By partnering with Singtel, Viu premium launch is primed for success with Singtel’s vast subscriber base who get preferential bundled package deal at only SGD 4.98 along with other exclusive promotional offers, such as additional 1GB data at SGD 3.

“This strategic tie-up between Viu and Singtel is a win-win for consumers as they can enjoy the best Asian entertainment content at the most competitive offering across the best network in Singapore. With the rise of digital content, we are seeing a rapid shift in the way media content is being consumed, especially by millennials. By sharing the same vision to bring the most compelling content to viewers anytime, anywhere on any mobile device, Viu and Singtel are strategically aligned to focus on adapting to meet the needs of today’s viewers,” said Ms. Janice Lee, Managing Director of PCCW Media.

“86% of Singapore netizens regularly stream or download video content, of which 60% are watching dramas+. These numbers show the immense potential in the OTT video streaming market where we are spearheading change in the way consumers engage with and consume digital content,” added Ms. Lee.

Regional partnerships with telcos and top broadcasters

To assure viewers of a stable viewing experience, Viu has forged strategic telco partnerships with networks such as CSL in Hong Kong, Singtel in Singapore, Telekom Malaysia Berhad, Maxis, Digi and U Mobile in Malaysia as well as Telkom Indonesia in Indonesia.

Ms. Lee said, “The strategic partnerships we have built with top broadcasters and leading telcos all over Asia to deliver the best Asian content at the fastest speeds on quality networks has enabled Viu’s growing success. The recent airing of Descendants of the Sun has shown us that what consumers want today is fast, convenient access to digital content, and Viu was able to cater to that mass demand by being the first platform with such a large library of authorized Korean content where fans could catch it in Singapore.”

Industry recognition

Viu has built a relevant and personalised experience with exclusive unique innovative content based on the a freemium model and its achievement is duly recognized in the industry, garnering the Gold Award for Best Mobile App at the HKICT Awards 2016, Telecom Asia’s 19th Annual Award for Best OTT Video Service this year, and most recently named Asia Pacific Telco Digital Service Provider of the Year by industry research group Frost & Sullivan at its Asia Pacific ICT Awards 2016.

“We will continue to leverage our research to gain insights to our viewers’ preference so that our content and features are uniquely tailored to their needs thus enabling continued relevance to our viewers,” added Ms. Lee.

* Based on the research in Nov 2015 among the legal OTT video platforms with services in the countries included in ASEAN Economic Community, namely Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Brunei Darussalam. Downloading contents via 3rd party software from the OTT video platform is not included.
** Figures from Google Play Developer Console and iTunes Connect
^ Acorn study commissioned by PCCW Media Group
+ Based on Singapore user tracking data on Viu in May 2016