PCCW (SEHK:0008) – HONG KONG, November 29, 2016 – PCCW Media’s OTT video service, Viu, has achieved four million unique users just one year after its launch. Reputedly a game-changing video platform for Asian premium content, Viu is launched in the Philippines today as part of its regional expansion, offering viewers easy access to content on the web and on mobile while on-the-move.
Regional success with rapid growth and strong traction in Asia
Viu is now present in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Indonesia and the Philippines. Viu recorded over 218 million video views in the third quarter of 2016, doubling that of the preceding three months. Viu’s users have demonstrated high engagement by consuming on average 1.2 hours per day. On average, 12 videos are viewed by each user every week.
Ms. Janice Lee, Managing Director, PCCW Media Group, said, “As OTT takes root and continues to develop rapidly in Asia, Viu continues to stride forward with the launch of its service in the Philippines, a vibrant market with over 30 million viewers who regularly watch videos online*. We are confident that our Philippine launch will replicate the growth and success we have experienced in the region.”
Extensive content genres and unprecedented quick delivery during Viu’s exponential growth
Viu has an extensive premium content lineup including Korean content from the top four Korean broadcasters (SBS, KBS, MBC, CJ E&M), as well as Japanese, Malaysian, Indonesian, Chinese, Taiwanese, Hollywood and the recently-added Thai content+ to satisfy preferences of local viewers in different markets.
Viu has brought new excitement to the market with its unrivalled quick delivery of local subtitling, especially for its Korean content, as fast as four hours after its telecast in Korea, and many user-friendly features, thus establishing Viu as the leading Asian premium content platform popular with online users in Asia, and now Viu users in the Philippines can enjoy the same.
Apart from premium drama and entertainment shows, in order to satisfy fans, Viu also produces K1 Headlines, offering fans exciting Korean lifestyle, entertainment and celebrity bite-sized news exclusively provided by Dispatch, a top entertainment site in Korea.
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Viu launches in the Philippines in response to great receptiveness to OTT video consumption shown by local online viewers
The Nielsen Global Video-On-Demand Survey shows 45% of online consumers in the Philippines watch VOD at least once a day. Moreover, 82% of online consumers said they like to catch up on multiple episodes at one time so Viu’s download feature will fulfill this very need.
“Apart from online streaming, Viu’s download feature is particularly suited for the Philippine market, enabling users to view content offline by downloading to mobile and connected devices with a convenient and hassle free experience,” said Ms. Lee.
Viu freemium – a suitable business model for monetization in the Philippines
As a freemium video service#, Viu is an effective channel for advertisers looking to reach out to consumers in the Philippines as they are the most receptive to online advertisements in Southeast Asia**. A recent research also revealed that 51% of respondents who watched VOD agreed that advertisements in VOD content give them good ideas for new products to try and 66% said they did not mind getting advertisements if they can watch free content++. Video advertising revenue in the Philippines is expected to grow at a CAGR of 32% from 2016 to 2021##.
For video OTT service subscription, revenue from OTT in emerging markets, including Indonesia, the Philippines, etc, is expected to grow to US$19 billion by 2019^.
Easy entertainment in the Philippines – web to mobile anytime, anywhere for FREE
Viu offers viewers in the Philippines free, fast and convenient access to the latest authorized Korean dramas and variety shows provided by the top four Korean broadcasters, SBS, KBS, MBC and CJ E&M, along with hugely popular Japanese content.
To enjoy Viu anytime anywhere, simply download the Viu app for free from iTunes or Google Play, or visit http://www.viu.com to watch on the web.
– # –
* Google Research
+ In specific markets only.
# Viu today launches the free service, and the premium service will be coming soon.
** Digital TV Research, March 2016
++ Global Video-On-Demand Survey, March 2016
## Statista.com
^ OTT Video in Emerging Markets: Monetization Strategies and 5-Year Revenue Opportunity, Pyramid Research
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About PCCW Media
The media group of PCCW is a leading, fully integrated multimedia and entertainment group in Hong Kong.
The media group operates the leading pay-TV service in Hong Kong under the Now TV brand delivering both self-produced and licensed content to its customers using advanced IPTV technology. Now TV offers more than 190 linear channels of local, Asian and international programming. Its premium content can also be accessed on-demand and on the go via Now Player app. It is also a leading producer of Chinese language news, financial news and sports programming in addition to Asian infotainment content which complements its wide portfolio of licensed movie and international television content.
The media group is also engaged in the provision of over-the-top (OTT) video service under the Viu brand in Hong Kong and other places in the region. In addition, MOOV is a hugely popular lossless music digital streaming service in Hong Kong.
Moreover, the media group operates one of Asia’s leading directories businesses under the Yellow Pages brand.
About PCCW Limited
PCCW Limited ( SEHK: 0008) is a global company headquartered in Hong Kong which holds interests in telecommunications, media, IT solutions, property development and investment, and other businesses.
The Company holds a majority interest in the HKT Trust and HKT Limited, Hong Kong’s premier telecommunications service provider and leading operator in fixed-line, broadband and mobile communication services. HKT meets the needs of the Hong Kong public and local and international businesses with a wide range of services including local telephony, local data and broadband, international telecommunications, mobile, and other telecommunications businesses such as customer premises equipment sale, outsourcing, consulting, and contact centers.
PCCW also owns a fully integrated multimedia and entertainment group in Hong Kong, PCCW Media. PCCW Media operates the largest local pay-TV operation, now TV, and is engaged in the provision of over-the-top (OTT) video service under the Viu brand in Hong Kong and other places in the region.
Also wholly-owned by the Group, PCCW Solutions is a leading information technology outsourcing and business process outsourcing provider in Hong Kong and mainland China.
In addition, PCCW holds a majority interest in Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited, and overseas investments including the wholly-owned UK Broadband Limited. To learn more about PCCW, please visit www.pccw.com.
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For further information, please contact:
| Ivan Ho
PCCW Tel: +852 2883-8747 Email: ivan.wy.ho@pccw.com |
Marina Leung
Magnus Muses Limited Tel: +852 3951 0222/ +852 9203 6203 Email: Marina.leung@magnusmuses.com
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Issued by PCCW Limited.