FEATURES
Will Singtel's Cast hook HOOQ? We're fishing...
28 July 2016
HOOQ, one of Singapore telco Singtel's growing slate of OTT services, is preparing to come home.
The domestic debut follows launches in the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and India.
No Singapore dates have been confirmed (at least not publicly) and it’s not clear how – or even if – HOOQ will co-ordinate with Singtel’s other content assets.
Our question: Will HOOQ, a JV with Sony Pictures Television and Warner, be part of Singtel’s new Cast mobile platform, an aggregator app that offers its own SVOD packages along with third-party apps such as PCCW’s OTT platform Viu?
Probably, but no one is saying anything for now.
The official line is that HOOQ has not yet launched in Singapore and that there's nothing to talk about.
So far, the HOOQ team seems to be operating entirely separately from Singtel’s other OTT/mobile/Go platforms, such as Cast.
All we know for sure right now is that HOOQ is looking for a Singapore country head who will, among other things, drive P&L in a market of 5.5 million people and “build a roadmap to create new avenues of growth” as well as “explore alternate revenue streams”.
Another thing is for sure: Singtel's other content bosses are not waiting to be HOOQed.
The telco unveiled OTT video portal Cast and its suite of entertainment services earlier this month with three of its own content packages (Korean, Asian, Kids) and Korea-centric Asian service Viu.The packs cost about US$4 each.
Was any mention made of HOOQ? Nope.
Do we think someone up high at Singtel will insist that HOOQ get a seat at the Cast table? Probably.
Is there room in Singapore for another video app? Depends. If there's enough of a broadband sweetener, maybe. Marketed right, anything is possible.
Then it will be down to the content. What's HOOQ offering in Singapore? No word yet. The platform has "The Flash" on its website along with the "we're not in your country yet" message, so they must have rights.
How much else have they acquired from Warner Bros for Singapore? No o...
HOOQ, one of Singapore telco Singtel's growing slate of OTT services, is preparing to come home.
The domestic debut follows launches in the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and India.
No Singapore dates have been confirmed (at least not publicly) and it’s not clear how – or even if – HOOQ will co-ordinate with Singtel’s other content assets.
Our question: Will HOOQ, a JV with Sony Pictures Television and Warner, be part of Singtel’s new Cast mobile platform, an aggregator app that offers its own SVOD packages along with third-party apps such as PCCW’s OTT platform Viu?
Probably, but no one is saying anything for now.
The official line is that HOOQ has not yet launched in Singapore and that there's nothing to talk about.
So far, the HOOQ team seems to be operating entirely separately from Singtel’s other OTT/mobile/Go platforms, such as Cast.
All we know for sure right now is that HOOQ is looking for a Singapore country head who will, among other things, drive P&L in a market of 5.5 million people and “build a roadmap to create new avenues of growth” as well as “explore alternate revenue streams”.
Another thing is for sure: Singtel's other content bosses are not waiting to be HOOQed.
The telco unveiled OTT video portal Cast and its suite of entertainment services earlier this month with three of its own content packages (Korean, Asian, Kids) and Korea-centric Asian service Viu.The packs cost about US$4 each.
Was any mention made of HOOQ? Nope.
Do we think someone up high at Singtel will insist that HOOQ get a seat at the Cast table? Probably.
Is there room in Singapore for another video app? Depends. If there's enough of a broadband sweetener, maybe. Marketed right, anything is possible.
Then it will be down to the content. What's HOOQ offering in Singapore? No word yet. The platform has "The Flash" on its website along with the "we're not in your country yet" message, so they must have rights.
How much else have they acquired from Warner Bros for Singapore? No one is saying.
How much did HOOQ get from Sony Pictures Television, which is also part of the JV. Again, no one is telling.
We'll keep you posted with updates as they happen.
26 July 2016
Previous
Next
