Viu (streaming service)
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Streaming media |
| Founded | October 26, 2015 in Hong Kong |
| Headquarters | Hong Kong , Hong Kong |
Area served | Asia, Africa, Oceania, Middle East |
| Products | OTT video on demand streaming service |
| Owner | PCCW Media Group (majority), Canal+ Group (minority shareholder) |
| Parent | PCCW Media Group |
| Website | www |
Viu (pronounced view) is a streaming service based in Hong Kong, providing over-the-top (OTT) video on demand, managed by Viu International Ltd, a subsidiary of PCCW Media Group. It operates on a hybrid revenue approach, combining subscription fees with advertising income, and features a wide selection of Asian programming with subtitles in local languages. Additionally, it offers original content through its Viu Original program, akin to exclusive productions found on platforms such as Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix.
The platform is accessible in 16 countries spanning Asia, Africa, Oceania, and the Middle East, including Australia, Bahrain, Egypt, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, New Zealand, Malaysia, Myanmar, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. As reported in December 2022, Viu had 66.4 million monthly active users and 12.2 million subscribers paying for premium services.
History
Viu International Ltd introduced the Viu OTT streaming platform in Hong Kong on 26 October 2015.
The service extended to Singapore in January 2016 and subsequently launched in India and Malaysia by March 2016. By May that year, Viu had entered the Indonesian market.
In November 2016, Viu debuted in the Philippines and quickly grew to four million users with more than 218 million video views. By February 2017, it expanded into key Middle Eastern nations such as Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The platform further broadened its reach to Thailand by May 2017, covering a total of 15 markets throughout Asia and the Middle East.
Additional expansions included Myanmar in September 2018 and South Africa in March 2019. However, Viu halted its Indian operations in December 2019 and officially terminated services there on 5 November 2021.
In June 2023, PCCW entered a strategic alliance with Canal+ Group; Canal+ invested $300 million to acquire a 26.1% minority share in Viu with an option to increase ownership up to 51%. This collaboration focuses on accelerating global expansion and co-developing original content.
By February 2024, Canal+ raised its stake to 30%, underscoring its dedication to the Asian streaming sector and positioning Viu as a central component of its worldwide growth plans. Canal+ retains the right to boost its ownership to half of the company.
In November 2024, Viu rolled out services in Australia and New Zealand.
Content
Viu provides an extensive library of Asian films and television series encompassing both popular hits and recent releases. Advert-supported viewers can watch first-run TV episodes at least three days after their original broadcast; meanwhile, subscribers enjoy early access with no advertisements after eight hours. Numerous shows also offer localized dubbing options.
Access to movies—primarily sourced from affiliated Baogu Movies or partner tvN Movies—requires an active Premium membership.
Original programming
Viu develops original productions predominantly centered on Southeast Asian markets. These works have garnered accolades such as the Asian Academy Creative Awards and Asian Television Awards. The company also produces originals tailored for audiences in the Middle East and Africa as well as previously for India.
Drama
| Title | Genre | Premiere | Seasons | Runtime | Language | Status | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Publicist | Workplace romantic drama |
|
Template:Sort | Template:Sort | Indonesian | Miniseries | ||
| Sunshine | Coming-of-age romantic drama |
|
Template:Sort | |||||
| Jibril | Suspense legal drama |
|
Template:Sort | Template:Sort | Malay | |||
| Knock Out Girl | Romantic sports drama |
|
Template:Sort | Template:Sort | Indonesian | |||
| Devoted | Neo-noir romantic thriller |
|
Template:Sort | Template:Sort | Malay | |||
| Rewrite | Romantic fantasy drama |
|
Template:Sort | Template:Sort | Indonesian |
| Title | Genre | Premiere | Seasons | Runtime | Language | Status |
|---|
| - | 'Pretty Little Liars' | Cozy mystery teen drama | | | | Indonesian, English | Ended |- | 'ms:Ganjil (Wonderers)' | Romantic fantasy drama | | | | Malay | Miniseries |- | Musical drama | | | | Filipino | Miniseries |- | Teen mystery horror thriller | | | | Thai | Miniseries |- | Coming-of-age hip-hop musical drama | | | | Thai | Miniseries |- | 'K-Love' | Romantic comedy drama | | | Filipino Miniseries |- | 'Romantic melodrama' {{dts 9 November 2022 {{sort 14 14 episodes {{sort 52 47–78 min Thai Miniseries |- | 'ms:Hilang (Buried Sins)' 'Supernatural crime thriller' {{dts 17 November 2022 {{sort 10 10 episodes {{sort 58 51–58 min Malay Miniseries |- | 'id:Mantan tapi Menikah (Married Ex-Boyfriend)' 'Romantic drama' {{dts 31 January 2023 {{sort 10 10 episodes {{sort 49 44–66 min Indonesian Miniseries |- | 'The House on Autumn Hill' 'Supernatural mystery thriller' Malay 'Miniseries' |- | 'id:Bidadari Bermata Bening (A Beautiful Angel)' 'Romantic drama' Indonesian 'Miniseries' |- | 'ms:Alter-Naratif (Electric Dust Agency)' 'Science fiction psychological thriller' Malay 'Miniseries' |- | 'id:Marriage with Benefits' 'Romantic drama' Indonesian 'Miniseries' |- | - | 'W: Two Worlds' 'Romantic fantasy thriller' Malay 'Miniseries' |- | 'Secret Ingredient (miniseries)' 'Romantic drama' '33–34 min' English 'Miniseries' |- | 'ms:Nafsu (Hell of a Night) Supernatural mystery thriller 'Template:Sort 8 Malay Miniseries |- | 'id:Alpha Girls Workplace romantic drama 'Template:Dts 5 July 2024 'Template:Sort 48 Indonesian Miniseries |- | 'ms:The Secret Mystery crime thriller 'Template:Sort 8 Malay Miniseries |
} ComedyCo-production
Exclusive international distributionViu is responsible for producing and distributing regional titles while also acquiring or co-producing various programs under the Viu Original brand for exclusive premiere or distribution rights within Southeast Asia, Middle East territories, and South Africa. Collaborations include partnerships with Rakuten Viki, Far EasTone friDay Video, KC Global Media (ONE), among others. Distinct from leading streaming services that often restrict third-party linear broadcast rights on their original content titles, most Viu Original productions are permitted to be aired by local TV broadcasters within their respective countries strictly for linear transmission purposes.
AvailabilityViu can be accessed through its official website as well as dedicated applications available on Android, iOS, HarmonyOS, and certain smart TV models. Depending on the subscription tier, users have the option to download and store selected episodes, though there are restrictions on the number of downloads permitted simultaneously. The platform utilizes a dual revenue approach, providing both complimentary and premium service levels. While all users enjoy free access to the content library, premium members receive enhanced features such as streaming in 720p and 1080p high definition along with an advertisement-free viewing environment. See alsoReferences
External links
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