Source: HOOQ. Bithos.
HOOQ, a leading premium video-on-demand service targeting the Asian market, has officially launched in Singapore. This expansion follows successful launches in the Philippines, Thailand, India, and Indonesia, bringing their reach to a potential audience exceeding 1.6 billion people.
Established in Singapore in 2015, HOOQ is a joint venture between Singtel, Sony Pictures Television, and Warner Brothers. This partnership represents a significant collaboration between major media companies to revolutionize entertainment consumption in Asia. HOOQ offers customers unlimited online streaming of a vast library of Hollywood blockbusters, popular Asian cinema, and children’s programming, accessible anytime, anywhere, and on various devices.
With a selection of over 20,000 movies and TV series, HOOQ provides a diverse range of content. Subscribers gain access to exclusive US TV series such as Supergirl, Lucifer, The Player, Ash vs Evil Dead, and Mad Dogs. Additionally, popular shows like Scandal, Mad Men, Friends, and Community are available alongside box office successes such as The Amazing SpiderMan, Crazy Stupid Love, and Pulp Fiction.
To cater to local preferences, HOOQ has partnered with over 100 studios across Asia, curating a vast collection of Indonesian, Filipino, and Indian movies and TV shows. They also prioritize children’s content, ensuring a comprehensive entertainment experience for the whole family.
Peter Bithos, CEO of HOOQ, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to offer Singaporeans the ultimate ad-free, freemium video-on-demand service. Our extensive catalog boasts the largest selection of Hollywood, Asian, and children’s content available, all for the price of a single movie ticket.” He added, “With something for everyone, we are incredibly proud to launch in Singapore, HOOQ’s home, and anticipate captivating viewers month after month.”
HOOQ’s business model distinguishes itself by combining the benefits of ad-free subscription services with aspects of freemium models, which incorporate advertising. This hybrid approach allows users to experience the platform’s premium features without any initial financial commitment. All registered users can access pilot episodes of TV series for free, even after the trial period ends. This extended sampling enables potential subscribers to make informed decisions about subscribing based on their viewing preferences.
The HOOQ app prioritizes a seamless and high-quality streaming experience. Its real-time content feed and personalized recommendation engine simplify the discovery of new and engaging content.
Strengthening its presence in Singapore, HOOQ has partnered with Singtel to provide bundled access to their services for Singtel’s prepaid, postpaid, and broadband customers. This collaboration initially targets Singtel prepaid customers, with plans to progressively include postpaid and broadband customers in the upcoming months.
“Singtel remains committed to expanding our content offerings, enhancing our customers’ entertainment experience,” stated Goh Seow Eng, MD of Home, Consumer Singapore, Singtel. “They will appreciate HOOQ’s vast library, including Hollywood hits, ethnic movies, and TV series.” He added, “As an over-the-top (OTT) video service, HOOQ complements our existing pay-TV offerings, broadening content diversity across multiple devices.”
Interested individuals can download the HOOQ app from the Apple Store or Google Play and register for a free seven-day trial. In addition to existing support for iOS, Android, Web, Chromecast, and Android Set-top Box, HOOQ will soon be available on Airplay and mobile web platforms.
Singtel prepaid customers who purchase an eligible prepaid data plan gain access to a vast selection of over 15,000 Indian, Indonesian, and Filipino movies and TV series. Prepaid data plan pricing starts at an affordable S$7 for 1GB of data over seven days.
Singtel postpaid, broadband, and TV customers can anticipate exclusive HOOQ deals on Singtel’s video platform, Cast, starting in the first quarter of 2017. HOOQ is committed to expanding its content library in the future, promising an even more comprehensive entertainment experience.