Viu (streaming media)

Last updated
Viu
Viu logo.svg
Type of business Subsidiary
Type of site
OTT Video Streaming
Available in English, Chinese, Arabic, Malaysian, Indonesian, Burmese, Thai, Filipino
HeadquartersHong Kong
Area servedHong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Myanmar and South Africa
OwnerViu International Ltd
(PCCW Media Limited)
Products Video streaming
URL www.viu.com
CommercialYes
LaunchedOctober 2015;7 years ago (2015-10)
Current statusActive

Viu (pronounced as view) is a Hong Kong-based over-the-top (OTT) video streaming provider from Viu International Ltd, a PCCW Media Group Company. [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]

Contents

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 2021 annual results, Viu had over 58.6 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.

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; as of 2022, Filipino (including Cebuano), Indonesian and Thai are the only languages offering dubbed versions of Asian drama titles.

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.

Drama

TitleGenrePremiereSeasonsRuntimeLanguageStatus
The Publicist Workplace romantic drama 22 November 201713 episodes27–47 min.IndonesianMiniseries
Sunshine Coming-of-age romantic drama 31 May 201840–44 min.
Jibril Suspense legal drama 22 October 2018 [lower-alpha 1] 1 season, 10 episodes44–58 min.MalayEnded
Knock Out Girl Romantic sports drama 12 December 201813 episodes42–48 min.IndonesianMiniseries
Devoted Neo-noir romantic thriller 28 March 20191 season, 10 episodes46–53 min.MalayEnded
Rewrite Romantic fantasy drama 15 May 201913 episodes48–51 min.IndonesianMiniseries
Black Fantasy crime thriller 17 December 20192 seasons, 18 episodes42–57 min.MalayPending
Pretty Little Liars Cozy mystery teen drama 22 April 20202 seasons, 22 episodes41–57 min.
  • Indonesian
  • English
Pending
Ganjil (Wonderers) Romantic fantasy drama 25 September 20211 season, 10 episodes46–59 min.MalayPending
Still Musical ensemble drama 26 November 20211 season, 8 episodes41–54 min.TagalogPending
Remember 15 Teen mystery horror thriller 22 February 202212 episodes47–57 min.ThaiMiniseries
Wannabe Coming-of-age hip-hop musical drama 10 May 202216 episodes49–54 min.
Finding the Rainbow Romantic melodrama 9 November 202214 episodes47–78 min.
Hilang (Buried Sins) Supernatural crime thriller 17 November 20221 season, 10 episodes51–58 min.MalayPending

Comedy

TitleGenrePremiereSeasonsRuntimeLanguageStatus
Switch Romantic fantasy comedy drama 14 August 201713 episodes20–30 min.IndonesianMiniseries
Halustik Coming-of-age romantic comedy 12 September 201845–54 min.
Salon Dark comedy thriller 17 September 2018 [lower-alpha 1] 1 season, 10 episodes41–46 min.MalayEnded
KZL Docu-comedy drama 7 November 201815 episodes19–23 min.IndonesianMiniseries
Assalamualaikum, My Future Husband Romantic comedy drama 6 November 20192 season, 23 episodes47–50 min.Pending
Keluarga Baha Don Crime comedy 11 July 20193 seasons, 30 episodes21–35 min.MalayPending
Kopitiam: Double Shot Sitcom 28 November 20191 season, 10 episodes28–34 min.
  • English
  • Malay
Pending
Star Stealer Coming-of-age romantic comedy 30 September 20201 season, 10 episodes28–36 min.IndonesianPending
Write Me a Love Song Romantic musical comedy drama 25 November 202145–63 min.
My Coach Romantic sports comedy drama 7 June 202216 episodes44–63 min.ThaiMiniseries
She Was Pretty Romantic workplace comedy drama 23 June 202248–59 min.Malay
AI.5YA Science fiction sitcom 18 August 20221 season, 10 episodes24–28 min.Pending
#lovesignal Romantic comedy short drama 7 October 202210–14 min.Cantonese
Ijab Kabut (I Have A Plan) Romantic comedy drama 10 October 20221 season, 10 episodes26–29 min.MalayPending
Real Fake Romantic action comedy 12 episodes30–39 min.ThaiMiniseries
Bad Boys vs Crazy Girls Teen romantic comedy 14 October 20221 season, 10 episodes45–50 min.IndonesianPending
K-Love Romantic comedy drama 1 season, 18 episodes23–33 min.Tagalog
Mantan tapi Menikah (Married Ex-Boyfriend) 31 January 20231 season, 10 episodes44–66 min.Indonesian

Co-production

TitleGenrePartner/CountryPremiereSeasonsRuntimeExclusive region(s)LanguageStatus
The Bridge Crime drama HBO Asia 26 November 2018 [lower-alpha 2] 2 seasons, 20 episodes42–58 min.All markets
  • English
  • Malay
  • Indonesian (season 2)
Pending
4Freaks 4Fam Comedy drama Workpoint TV/Thailand 12 February 20191 season, 15 episodes [lower-alpha 3] ~47 min. [lower-alpha 3] Thai
My Bubble Tea Romantic fantasy comedy drama AIS Play & One 31/Thailand 22 May 202013 episodes44–57 min.Miniseries
Isteri Misteri Mystery comedy TV3/Malaysia 25 November 20201 season, 10 episodes38–43 min.Southeast Asia, Hong KongMalayPending
Voice in the Rain Romantic drama AIS Play & Workpoint TV/Thailand 19 December 202016 episodes45–47 min.All marketsThaiMiniseries
Flower of Evil Romantic crime thriller ABS-CBN/Philippines 23 June 2022 [lower-alpha 4] 32 episodes39–49 min.TagalogMiniseries
Awaiting release
Unbreak My Heart Romantic drama ABS-CBN & GMA Network/Philippines 2023TBATBAAll markets except the Philippines [14] TagalogPending

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.

TitleGenreOriginal networkPremiereSeasonsRuntimeExclusive region(s)LanguageStatus
River Where the Moon Rises Period drama KBS2 15 February 202120 episodes [lower-alpha 5] ~60 min. [lower-alpha 5] Southeast Asia, Hong KongKoreanMiniseries
Doom at Your Service Romantic fantasy drama tvN 10 May 202116 episodes59–72 min.All markets
Lovers of the Red Sky Romantic fantasy period drama SBS 30 August 202159–70 min.Southeast Asia, Hong Kong
Now, We Are Breaking Up Slice of life romantic drama 12 November 202160–68 min.All markets
Again My Life Fantasy action drama 8 April 202260–75 min.
From Now On, Showtime! Romantic fantasy comedy drama MBC 23 April 202266–78 min.
Woori the Virgin Romantic comedy 9 May 202214 episodes59–63 min.
Why Her Romantic mystery drama SBS 3 June 202216 episodes59–75 min.Southeast Asia, Hong Kong
Today's Webtoon Workplace comedy drama 29 July 202262–76 min.
If You Wish Upon Me Slice of life light drama 10 August 202260–64 min.All markets
The Law Cafe Romantic legal comedy drama KBS2 5 September 202216 episodes + 1 specials60–67 min.Southeast Asia, Hong Kong
The Empire Family legal drama JTBC 24 September 202216 episodes57–72 min.All markets
Reborn Rich Fantasy suspense drama 18 November 202261–88 min.
Taxi Driver (season 2) Action drama SBS 17 February 20231 season, 16 episodesTBAAll markets [15] Season 2 ongoing
Delivery Man Romantic mystery comedy drama ENA (Genie TV)1 March 2023TBATBASoutheast Asia, Hong KongSeries ongoing
Awaiting release
The Secret Romantic Guesthouse Romantic period drama SBS 20 March 2023TBATBASoutheast Asia, Hong KongKoreanSeries order

Availability

Viu OTT video service can be accessed anytime and anywhere via Viu app at App Store for iOS devices and Google Play Store for Android devices across the region, 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. [16]

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. [17]

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 Also aired on ntv7 (Rated P13 version)
  2. Also aired on HBO & HBO GO. Previously aired on ntv7 for Season 1 (Rated P13 version)
  3. 1 2 Released in 60 4-part individual episodes, last around 8–16 min.
  4. Premiered within 48 hours before linear television broadcast (via Kapamilya Channel, Jeepney TV & A2Z)
  5. 1 2 Released in 60 half-hour individual episodes, last around 29–35 min.

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References

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  12. Laghate, Gaurav (2019-03-01). "Viu launches OTT service in South Africa". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2019-05-15.
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  14. Batey, Neil (23 January 2023). "GMA Network, ABS-CBN copro yields Filipino drama series Unbreak My Heart". C21Media. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  15. 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.
  16. "Viu". www.viu.com. Retrieved 2019-05-15.
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