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]

Viu
Type of businessSubsidiary
Type of site
OTT Video Streaming
Available inEnglish, Chinese, Arabic, Malay, 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
Owner
ProductsVideo streaming
URLwww.viu.com
CommercialYes
LaunchedAugust 2015 (2015-08)
Current statusActive

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.

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[lower-alpha 1] 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
  • Indonesian
  • English
 Pending
Ganjil (Wonderers) Romantic fantasy drama 25 September 2021 1 season, 10 episodes 46–59 min Malay Ended
Still Musical ensemble drama 26 November 2021 1 season, 8 episodes 41–54 min Tagalog
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
Bidadari Bermata Bening (A Beautiful Angel) Romantic drama 31 March 2023 49–58 min Indonesian
Alter-Naratif (Electric Dust Agency) Science fiction psychological thriller 25 May 2023 1 season, 8 episodes 45–51 min Malay
Get Rich Teen drama 5 July 2023 16 episodes 46–53 min Thai Miniseries

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[lower-alpha 1] 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
Kopitiam: Double Shot Sitcom 28 November 2019 1 season, 10 episodes 28–34 min
  • English
  • Malay
 Pending
Star Stealer Coming-of-age romantic comedy 30 September 2020 1 season, 10 episodes 28–36 min Indonesian Ended
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
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
Love Me Again Romantic workplace comedy 23 March 2023 6 episodes 45–47 min
Marriage With Benefits Romantic comedy drama 4 June 2023 1 season, 10 episodes 38–60 min Indonesian Pending
From Saga With Love 21 September 2023 1 season, 10 episodes 25–30 min Malay Season 1 ongoing
I Do(n't) Love Him Romantic comedy drama 18 October 2023 1 season, 10 episodes 45 min Indonesian Season 1 ongoing

Co-production
Title Genre Partner/Country Premiere Seasons Runtime Exclusive region(s) Language Status
The Bridge Crime drama HBO Asia 26 November 2018[lower-alpha 2] 2 seasons, 20 episodes 42–58 min All markets
  • English
  • Malay
  • Indonesian (season 2)
 Pending
4Freaks 4Fam Comedy drama Workpoint TV/Thailand 12 February 2019 1 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 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[lower-alpha 4] 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[lower-alpha 5], 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-labeled 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 Language Status
River Where the Moon Rises Period drama KBS2 15 February 2021 20 episodes[lower-alpha 6] ~60 min[lower-alpha 6] Korean Miniseries
Doom at Your Service Romantic fantasy drama tvN 10 May 2021 16 episodes 59–72 min
Lovers of the Red Sky Romantic fantasy period drama SBS 30 August 2021 59–70 min
Now, We Are Breaking Up Slice of life romantic drama 12 November 2021 60–68 min
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
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
The Law Cafe Romantic legal comedy drama KBS2 5 September 2022 16 episodes + 1 specials 60–67 min
The Empire Family legal drama JTBC 24 September 2022 16 episodes 57–72 min
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 Renewed[16]
Delivery Man Romantic fantasy comedy Genie TV/ENA 1 March 2023 1 season, 12 episodes 59–61 min 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
My Lovely Liar Romantic mystery comedy drama tvN 31 July 2023 61–71 min
The Escape of the Seven Revenge drama SBS 15 September 2023 1 season, 17 episodes TBA Season 1 ongoing
Twinkling Watermelon Coming-of-age romantic fantasy musical tvN 25 September 2023 16 episodes TBA Miniseries ongoing
A Good Day to Be a Dog Romantic fantasy comedy drama
11 October 2023 14 episodes TBA
Awaiting release
The Matchmakers Romantic period comedy drama KBS2 30 October 2023 TBA TBA Korean Miniseries order
Moon in the Day Romantic fantasy drama Genie TV/ENA 1 November 2023
Maestra: Strings of Truth Music Mystery tvN December 2023

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.[17]

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.[18]

See also

Notes
  1. 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. 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. Some of the below-listed series are either labelled as Viki Original or co-distribute with Kocowa, which handled the series distribution from three major broadcasters
  6. Released in 60 half-hour individual episodes, last around 29–35 min.

References
  1. Rachelle, Marie. "Best Korean Movies on Viu Vu To Watch in 2023". Streaming Freak. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  2. "PCCW Media's Viu OTT play nets over 1.2 million downloads in Hong Kong". Ooyala. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  3. "Viu no service page list of countries". Viu. 26 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  4. "PCCW launches streaming video service in HK". ComputerWorld Hong Kong. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  5. "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.
  6. "PCCW Media's Viu OTT video service expands to India and Malaysia further to its launch in Hong Kong and Singapore". PCCW.
  7. "Vuclip launches OTT Service- Viu in Indonesia". Exchange4media. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  8. "Viu achieves 4 million users across Asia in first year of launch. Service further expands to the Philippines". PCCW.
  9. "Viu launches in Middle East". Rapid TV News. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  10. "Viu launches in Thailand". PCCW.
  11. "Viu launches in Myanmar". Rapid TV News. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  12. Laghate, Gaurav (1 March 2019). "Viu launches OTT service in South Africa". The Economic Times. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  13. Roy Choudhury, Anirban (16 December 2019). "Viu to shut India operations". afaqs!. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  14. Shackleton, Liz (21 June 2023). "Canal+ Takes 26% Stake In Leading Asian Streamer Viu; Talks Growth & Content Collaboration". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  15. Frater, Patrick (20 June 2023). "France's Canal+ Buying Strategic Minority Stake in Viu, Successful Asian Streamer". Variety. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  16. Ziwei, Puah (17 April 2023). "K-drama 'Taxi Driver' to return for Season 3". NME. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  17. "Viu". www.viu.com. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  18. "Viu launches premium subscription in Singapore with Singtel". PCCW.com.
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