Vuclip launches OTT VOD platform, Viu

While most of the content will be offered free, consumers can buy the premium content and ad-free services. FreeCharge, eBay and others support this vision and have signed on as strategic partners

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Mumbai | March 4, 2016

A PCCW media company, Vuclip, yesterday launched a new over-the-top (OTT) video-on-demand (VOD) service called Viu in India. The service is aimed at India's ever connected and always 'on-the-go' youth with fresh and high quality video content. FreeCharge, eBay and others support this vision and have signed on as strategic partners.

Offering over 17,000 hours of content in around 25 languages, Viu has forged content partnerships with top production houses and content owners such as Reliance Big Entertainment, Sony Music, Zee Digital Convergence, Tips Industries, Balaji Motion Pictures, Rajshri Entertainment, Unisys Infosolutions, Shemaroo, Anand Audio and BBC Worldwide.

The content available on Viu also includes popular English serials such as The Kennedy's, Allo Allo, Critical, Olympus, 19-2 and The Clean Break, among others. Over 3,000 hours of the latest music videos, the largest collection offered in India, and unlimited downloads and streaming of all content on mobile app are some of the highlights of the service.

Not only that, Viu is the possibly the only OTT VOD platform in India to offer English, Bollywood and local content to Indian audiences. This blend is expected to interest viewers to binge watch their favourite English shows, Bollywood movies and Hindi music on the go. Viu's services are available on multiple screens from smartphones to tablets to desktops and laptops. It is also compatible with Smart TVs.

FreeCharge will be a preferred payment wallet partner for Viu and will offer a free one-month trial subscription as well as offer cash-back deals for premium subscribers. eBay India has also signed on as a strategic distribution partner and will offer various packages and bundles related to Viu.

Nickhil Jakatdar, Founder and CEO, Vuclip, said, “Our mission is to entertain the one billion plus consumers in India by providing them with a service that they can fall in love with. We will strive hard to push the boundaries of technology, media and experiential design through our state of the art design and technology centers in US, India and Beijing and our global teams in over 10 countries.”

Keeping the Indian consumer in mind, majority of the services will be available for free. Consumers can of course subscribe to a premium portion of the service which includes an ad-free experience, as well as access to additional premium and exclusive content for Rs 99 per month.

The recently appointed Country Manager of Vuclip India, Vishal Maheshwari, commented, “We are dedicated to tailoring our offerings to Indian consumers. In a country with over 25 languages and data cost sensitive consumers, this means accurate discovery, ease of payment and ability to view videos more than once. Additionally, our Global Video Insights studies show that freshness of content, as well as variety in content catalog is considered to be the most important to Indian viewers.”

The last eight years have provided a wealth of consumer insights as well as a best in class approach to content editorial and curation for ease of discovery and consumption. Content is kept highly secure using world class digital rights management technologies integrated with industry leading service providers Verimatrix and Vualto.

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