PCCW’s Netflix rival hits new markets

The Viu OTT service has launched in India and Malaysia.

The streaming service is run by PCCW and launched in the Hong Kong telco’s domestic Hong Kong market, and in Singapore, earlier this year.

The Indian version of Viu will have international and Bollywood content and music videos, and has licensing deals with distributors including Sony Pictures Television, BBC Worldwide and CBS Studios International.

There will also be an original local talkshow What the Duck, a ten episode cricket-themed series fronted by local celeb Vikram Sathaye.

The basic Viu service is free, and there is also a premium version, which is ad-free and has a wider selection of content. Samsung mobile phone owners in India can access a free three-month trial of the service.

In Malysia, Viu will offer Korean drama from major broadcasters SBS, KBS, MBC and CJ E&M, as well as Chinese, Bollywood, Tamil, Indonesian and Malaysian programmes.

Janice Lee, managing director of PCCW Media Group, said: “Viu has been very well-received in Hong Kong and Singapore and it consistently tops the charts in free app downloads.

“The quick deployment and launch of Viu in Malaysia and India following hot on the heels of our Singapore launch in mid-January bears testament to our commitment to become the pre-eminent provider of mobile video entertainment service in Asia.”

PCCW said an Indonesian launch for Viu is also in the offing.