Viu (streaming service)
Viu (pronounced as view) is a Hong Kong-based over-the-top (OTT) video streaming provider from PCCW Media Group's Viu International Ltd.[1] Operated in a dual-revenue model comprising subscriptions and advertising, Viu delivers content in different genres from Asia's top content providers with local language subtitles, as well as original production series under the Viu Original initiative (similar to original programming from other services like Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and Netflix).[2]
| Type of business | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
Type of site | OTT Video Streaming |
| Available in | English, Chinese, Arabic, Malaysian, Indonesian, Burmese, Thai, Filipino |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong |
| Area served | Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Myanmar and South Africa |
| Owner |
|
| Products | Video streaming |
| URL | www |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Launched | August 2015 |
| Current status | Active |
Viu is now available in 16 markets across Asia, Africa and the Middle East including Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Myanmar and South Africa.[3] As of December 2022 annual results, Viu had an estimated 66.5 million monthly active users.
History
Viu International Ltd launched the Viu OTT video service in Hong Kong on 26 October 2015.[4]
In January 2016, Viu announced its official launch in Singapore.[5]
In March 2016, Viu announced its official launch in India and Malaysia.[6]
In May 2016, Viu launches in Indonesia.[7]
In November 2016, Viu announced its official launch in the Philippines and has achieved four million users and over 218 million video views.[8]
In February 2017, Viu was available in major Middle East countries including Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.[9]
In May 2017, Viu announced its official launch in Thailand and has expanded to 15 markets across Asia and the Middle East countries.[10]
In September 2018, Viu announced its official launch in Myanmar.[11]
In March 2019, Viu announced its official launch in South Africa.[12]
In December 2019, Viu announced its suspension of operations in India without providing a date.[13] On 5 November 2021, Viu stopped its services in India.
In June 2023, PCCW and the Canal+ Group announced a strategic partnership between the two companies, under which Canal+ will invest $300 million, including an initial investment of $200 million, in Viu and gain a 26.1% minority stake in the streaming service, with the option to invest further and gain a 51% controlling stake. The partnership serves as a catalyst for international expansions for both PCCW and Canal+ as well as collaborations between Viu and Canal+ on original productions.[14][15]
Content
Viu offers a wide-range catalogue of movies and TV shows from across Asia, including popular and new titles. First-run TV episodes are available on the platform with advertisements in between, at least 72 hours after broadcast; Paid users can access episodes without advertisements, at least eight hours after broadcast. Several titles are also available separately in localized language audio dub.
Movie titles available on the platform, mostly from its sister network (now Baogu Movies) or partnered (tvN Movies), require active Premium subscription.
Original programming
Viu has begun producing their original titles, in which most of their originals was based in Southeast Asia that has already received multiple award recognitions such as Asian Academy Creative Awards and Asian Television Awards. They also produce originals for the Middle East and Africa as well, as well as previously produced their originals for the Indian markets.
This television-related list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (January 2023) |
Drama
| Title | Genre | Premiere | Seasons | Runtime | Language | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Publicist | Workplace romantic drama | 22 November 2017 | 13 episodes | 27–47 min. | Indonesian | Miniseries |
| Sunshine | Coming-of-age romantic drama | 31 May 2018 | 40–44 min. | |||
| Jibril | Suspense legal drama | 22 October 2018[a] | 1 season, 10 episodes | 44–58 min. | Malay | Ended |
| Knock Out Girl | Romantic sports drama | 12 December 2018 | 13 episodes | 42–48 min. | Indonesian | Miniseries |
| Devoted | Neo-noir romantic thriller | 28 March 2019 | 1 season, 10 episodes | 46–53 min. | Malay | Ended |
| Rewrite | Romantic fantasy drama | 15 May 2019 | 13 episodes | 48–51 min. | Indonesian | Miniseries |
| Black | Fantasy crime thriller | 17 December 2019 | 2 seasons, 18 episodes | 42–57 min. | Malay | Pending |
| Pretty Little Liars | Cozy mystery teen drama | 22 April 2020 | 2 seasons, 22 episodes | 41–57 min. |
| Pending |
| Ganjil (Wonderers) | Romantic fantasy drama | 25 September 2021 | 1 season, 10 episodes | 46–59 min. | Malay | Pending |
| Still | Musical ensemble drama | 26 November 2021 | 1 season, 8 episodes | 41–54 min. | Tagalog | Pending |
| Remember 15 | Teen mystery horror thriller | 22 February 2022 | 12 episodes | 47–57 min. | Thai | Miniseries |
| Wannabe | Coming-of-age hip-hop musical drama | 10 May 2022 | 16 episodes | 49–54 min. | ||
| Finding the Rainbow | Romantic melodrama | 9 November 2022 | 14 episodes | 47–78 min. | ||
| Hilang (Buried Sins) | Supernatural crime thriller | 17 November 2022 | 1 season, 10 episodes | 51–58 min. | Malay | Pending |
| Nenek Bongkok Tiga (The House on Autumn Hill) | Supernatural mystery thriller | 9 February 2023 | 39–60 min. |
Comedy
| Title | Genre | Premiere | Seasons | Runtime | Language | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switch | Romantic fantasy comedy drama | 14 August 2017 | 13 episodes | 20–30 min. | Indonesian | Miniseries |
| Halustik | Coming-of-age romantic comedy | 12 September 2018 | 45–54 min. | |||
| Salon | Dark comedy thriller | 17 September 2018[a] | 1 season, 10 episodes | 41–46 min. | Malay | Ended |
| KZL | Docu-comedy drama | 7 November 2018 | 15 episodes | 19–23 min. | Indonesian | Miniseries |
| Assalamualaikum, My Future Husband | Romantic comedy drama | 6 November 2019 | 2 season, 23 episodes | 47–50 min. | Pending | |
| Keluarga Baha Don | Crime comedy | 11 July 2019 | 3 seasons, 30 episodes | 21–35 min. | Malay | Pending |
| Kopitiam: Double Shot | Sitcom | 28 November 2019 | 1 season, 10 episodes | 28–34 min. |
| Pending |
| Star Stealer | Coming-of-age romantic comedy | 30 September 2020 | 1 season, 10 episodes | 28–36 min. | Indonesian | Pending |
| Write Me a Love Song | Romantic musical comedy drama | 25 November 2021 | 45–63 min. | |||
| My Coach | Romantic sports comedy drama | 7 June 2022 | 16 episodes | 44–63 min. | Thai | Miniseries |
| She Was Pretty | Romantic workplace comedy drama | 23 June 2022 | 48–59 min. | Malay | ||
| AI.5YA | Science fiction sitcom | 18 August 2022 | 1 season, 10 episodes | 24–28 min. | Pending | |
| #lovesignal | Romantic comedy short drama | 7 October 2022 | 10–14 min. | Cantonese | ||
| Ijab Kabut (I Have A Plan) | Romantic comedy drama | 10 October 2022 | 1 season, 10 episodes | 26–29 min. | Malay | Pending |
| Real Fake | Romantic action comedy | 12 episodes | 30–39 min. | Thai | Miniseries | |
| Bad Boys vs Crazy Girls | Teen romantic comedy | 14 October 2022 | 1 season, 10 episodes | 45–50 min. | Indonesian | Pending |
| K-Love | Romantic comedy drama | 1 season, 18 episodes | 23–33 min. | Tagalog | ||
| Mantan tapi Menikah (Married Ex-Boyfriend) | 31 January 2023 | 1 season, 10 episodes | 44–66 min. | Indonesian | ||
| Return Man | Romantic action comedy | 8 February 2023 | 12 episodes | 42–49 min. | Thai | Miniseries |
Co-production
| Title | Genre | Partner/Country | Premiere | Seasons | Runtime | Exclusive region(s) | Language | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bridge | Crime drama | HBO Asia | 26 November 2018[b] | 2 seasons, 20 episodes | 42–58 min. | All markets |
| Pending |
| 4Freaks 4Fam | Comedy drama | Workpoint TV/Thailand | 12 February 2019 | 1 season, 15 episodes[c] | ~47 min.[c] | Thai | ||
| My Bubble Tea | Romantic fantasy comedy drama | AIS Play & One 31/Thailand | 22 May 2020 | 13 episodes | 44–57 min. | Miniseries | ||
| Isteri Misteri | Mystery comedy | TV3/Malaysia | 25 November 2020 | 1 season, 10 episodes | 38–43 min. | Southeast Asia, Hong Kong | Malay | Pending |
| Voice in the Rain | Romantic drama | AIS Play & Workpoint TV/Thailand | 19 December 2020 | 16 episodes | 45–47 min. | All markets | Thai | Miniseries |
| Flower of Evil | Romantic crime thriller | ABS-CBN/Philippines | 23 June 2022[d] | 32 episodes | 39–49 min. | Tagalog | Miniseries |
Exclusive international distribution
In addition to producing and distributing local titles, several Viu shows have been acquired and co-produced, partly or wholly, by Viu for exclusive first-run release or distribution (under the Viu Original label) in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and South Africa in deals with partners in other regions such as Rakuten Viki, Far EasTone Friday Video, KC Global Media (ONE), among others.
Unlike major streaming platforms, which prevent third-party linear channels from securing broadcast rights of most co-produced shows, most Viu Original-labled titles may be screened by local television channels in their respective countries, provided that the networks' local rights for such titles are for linear television broadcast only in their respective country jurisdiction.
| Title | Genre | Original network | Premiere | Seasons | Runtime | Exclusive region(s) | Language | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Where the Moon Rises | Period drama | KBS2 | 15 February 2021 | 20 episodes[e] | ~60 min[e] | Southeast Asia, Hong Kong | Korean | Miniseries |
| Doom at Your Service | Romantic fantasy drama | tvN | 10 May 2021 | 16 episodes | 59–72 min | All markets | ||
| Lovers of the Red Sky | Romantic fantasy period drama | SBS | 30 August 2021 | 59–70 min | Southeast Asia, Hong Kong | |||
| Now, We Are Breaking Up | Slice of life romantic drama | 12 November 2021 | 60–68 min | All markets | ||||
| Again My Life | Fantasy action drama | 8 April 2022 | 60–75 min | |||||
| From Now On, Showtime! | Romantic fantasy comedy drama | MBC | 23 April 2022 | 66–78 min | ||||
| Woori the Virgin | Romantic comedy | 9 May 2022 | 14 episodes | 59–63 min | ||||
| Why Her | Romantic mystery drama | SBS | 3 June 2022 | 16 episodes | 59–75 min | Southeast Asia, Hong Kong | ||
| Today's Webtoon | Workplace comedy drama | 29 July 2022 | 62–76 min | |||||
| If You Wish Upon Me | Slice of life light drama | 10 August 2022 | 60–64 min | All markets | ||||
| The Law Cafe | Romantic legal comedy drama | KBS2 | 5 September 2022 | 16 episodes + 1 specials | 60–67 min | Southeast Asia, Hong Kong | ||
| The Empire | Family legal drama | JTBC | 24 September 2022 | 16 episodes | 57–72 min | All markets | ||
| Reborn Rich | Fantasy suspense drama | 18 November 2022 | 61–88 min | |||||
| Taxi Driver (season 2) | Action drama | SBS | 17 February 2023 | 1 season, 16 episodes + 2 specials | 63–127 min | All markets[16] | Renewed[17] | |
| Delivery Man | Romantic fantasy comedy | ENA (Genie TV) | 1 March 2023 | 1 season, 12 episodes | 59–61 min | Southeast Asia, Hong Kong | Pending | |
| The Secret Romantic Guesthouse | Romantic period drama | SBS | 20 March 2023 | 18 episodes | 60–65 min | Miniseries | ||
| My Perfect Stranger | Romantic fantasy drama | KBS2 | 1 May 2023 | 16 episodes | 60–67 min | |||
| Awaiting release | ||||||||
| My Lovely Liar | Romantic mystery comedy drama | tvN | 31 July 2023 | 16 episodes | TBA | All markets | Korean | Miniseries order |
Availability
Viu OTT video service can be accessed anytime and anywhere via Viu app at App Store for iOS devices, Google Play Store for Android devices across the region, on the Huawei App Store or visit www.viu.com to watch on the web, it also can be accessed through Apple TV devices. Registered Viu free or premium subscriber can download videos and watch offline on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, as well as save viewing progress, bookmark programmes and receive notifications on new episodes.[18]
Viu's service is run in premium subscription and ad-supported freemium model. Viu premium subscribers are able to enjoy full 1080p HD quality videos, unlimited download without any ads interruption. Meanwhile, Viu freemium users will continue to have access to platform's huge catalogue of content for free.[19]
See also
Notes
- ^ a b Also aired on ntv7 (Rated P13 version)
- ^ Also aired on HBO & HBO GO. Previously aired on ntv7 for Season 1 (Rated P13 version)
- ^ a b Released in 60 4-part individual episodes, last around 8–16 min.
- ^ Premiered within 48 hours before linear television broadcast (via Kapamilya Channel, Jeepney TV & A2Z)
- ^ a b Released in 60 half-hour individual episodes, last around 29–35 min.
References
- ^ "Keeping up with the Koreans: PCCW to offer OTT for TV series content in Hong Kong and beyond". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
- ^ "PCCW Media's Viu OTT play nets over 1.2 million downloads in Hong Kong". Ooyala. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
- ^ "Viu no service page list of countries". Viu. 26 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
- ^ "PCCW launches streaming video service in HK". ComputerWorld Hong Kong. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
- ^ "PCCW Media signs the first landmark pan-regional agreement with top four Korean broadcasters and announces regional expansion of Viu OTT service in Asia with Singapore launch". PCCW.
- ^ "PCCW Media's Viu OTT video service expands to India and Malaysia further to its launch in Hong Kong and Singapore". PCCW.
- ^ "Vuclip launches OTT Service- Viu in Indonesia". Exchange4media. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
- ^ "Viu achieves 4 million users across Asia in first year of launch. Service further expands to the Philippines". PCCW.
- ^ "Viu launches in Middle East". Rapid TV News. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
- ^ "Viu launches in Thailand". PCCW.
- ^ "Viu launches in Myanmar". Rapid TV News. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
- ^ Laghate, Gaurav (1 March 2019). "Viu launches OTT service in South Africa". The Economic Times. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
- ^ Roy Choudhury, Anirban (16 December 2019). "Viu to shut India operations". afaqs!. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
- ^ Shackleton, Liz (21 June 2023). "Canal+ Takes 26% Stake In Leading Asian Streamer Viu; Talks Growth & Content Collaboration". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ Frater, Patrick (20 June 2023). "France's Canal+ Buying Strategic Minority Stake in Viu, Successful Asian Streamer". Variety. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ^ Frater, Patrick (15 March 2023). "'We 12' Mirror Boy Band Movie Among Projects as Viu and Makerville Expand Production, Live Events Activities". Variety. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
The show has been the most watched in terms of hours consumed compared to all titles available at that time simultaneously in both Southeast Asia and the Middle East and Africa on Viu, in the first ten days of its availability.
- ^ Ziwei, Puah (17 April 2023). "K-drama 'Taxi Driver' to return for Season 3". NME. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ^ "Viu". www.viu.com. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
- ^ "Viu launches premium subscription in Singapore with Singtel". PCCW.com.
External links
- Official website