May-June 2017 NEWS & VIEWS 29
Arguably , any current discussion on the TV business and how viewing habits are evolving will not be complete without the inclusion of a rather successful company called Netflix .
“ The Internet is transforming TV distribution , with or without Netflix ,” said Robert Roy , VP of content acquisition , Netflix . “ People around the world want content on
BALI – Video-on-demand ( VoD ) service HOOQ , in cooperation with Telkomsel and Starvision , has released the big screen adaption of Ika Natassa ’ s best-selling novel , Critical Eleven .
The second HOOQ Original announced in Indonesia , and third overall , Critical Eleven is a co-production between Starvision , Servia Plus , Legacy Pictures , HOOQ and Telkomsel . It is directed by Monty Tiwa and Robert Ronny , and stars Citra Award-winner Reza Rahadian and Adinia Wirasti from Ada Apa Dengan Cinta ?
Peter Bithos , CEO of HOOQ , said : “ The partnership between HOOQ , Telkomsel and Starvision has given birth to a sensational movie set to redefine the romance genre in Asia .
“ This cinema adaption of Ika Natassa ’ s Critical Eleven , will tug the heartstrings of many Indonesians . We couldn ’ t have been more proud to have done this alongside such amazing partners , who were
❝ The Internet is transforming TV distribution , with or without Netflix … the future of TV is on the Internet and on an on-demand basis .❞
— Robert Roy , VP of Content Acquisition , Netflix
their terms . The future of TV is on the Internet and on an on-demand basis .”
Where Asia was concerned , 2016 was a breakout year for Netflix , as the video streaming service made its debut in 130 new countries , many in Asia . Having reached the milestone of 100 million subscribers worldwide , Asia is now a “ super important market ” for
HOOQ co-production hits the big screen
not only invested in making a great movie , but were also set on delivering quality romance entertainment that the people of Indonesia and Asia greatly crave .”
And in a bid to “ turn the most imaginative TV series ideas of South-east Asian filmmakers into reality ,” the HOOQ Filmmakers Guild has been launched .
As part of the project , HOOQ is calling for film producers , be they directors , producers or scriptwriters , to send in scripts and treatments for a TV series idea they have . From these , the five best scripts , regionally , will be given a funding of US $ 30,000 to be converted into a pilot episode that will debut on HOOQ .
Bithos added : “ HOOQ is built in Asia for Asia and we want to give Asian filmmakers the power to create quality entertainment that gives our customers that escape into worlds of romance , action , adventure and even heroism , all in the setting of their backyard .
Netflix , said Roy .
The key , he added , is to provide original and compelling content that will resonate with viewers , both regionally and on an individual country basis .
For instance , Netflix has signed an exclusive international licensing agreement with South Korean broadcaster JTBC for the Man x Man series , which will be simulcast on JTBC and Netflix .
And even that most challenging Asian market for Netflix is beginning to present opportunities , as a new licensing deal will see Netflix introduce original content in China via iQiyi , a Chinese video streaming service . “ We continue to explore what are the models that will make sense for people to work with us , and we want to give our consumers choice , because what drives consumption is still content ,” Roy concluded .
HOOQ has co-produced the big screen adaption of Ika Natassa ’ s best-selling novel , Critical Eleven .
HOOQ Filmmakers Guild does just that , making Asia the nation from which great TV arises !”
The project commences this June 1 and is open for entries till August 1 . Applicants must be either in film school or working as professionals in the film industry with prior film production experience . They are to submit the script and treatment for a mini-series or a full series with a maximum of 13 episodes for a single season in order to qualify .
PLDT unveils next-gen TVolution streaming box
MANILA – Philippine telecom and digital services provider PLDT has announced the next generation of its TVolution streaming box .
Working with Roku , PLDT is offering a new TVolution streaming box that comes with more than 50 streaming channels , including popular series and content from Cignal , iflix , Netflix and YouTube .
Oscar Reyes Jr , FVP and head of Home Business , PLDT , said : “ Filipinos will be the first in Asia to stream the best in entertainment using the proven Roku streaming platform .
“ More Filipinos are streaming their favourite TV shows at home . By combining the best of the Roku Channel Store with leading local streaming services , PLDT will offer the most compelling video portfolio
Working with Roku , PLDT is offering a new TVolution streaming box that comes with more than 50 streaming channels , including popular series and content from Cignal , iflix , Netflix and YouTube .
in the Philippines .”
The Roku-powered TVolution box and service is available to all PLDT Home Fibre , DS and Ultera customers starting this May for an additional monthly service fee of Php299 ( US $ 5.99 ). Subscribers can choose from “ billions of hours of free content or purchase paid content ” from different providers with minimal additional charges and no contract . Andrew Ferrone , vice-president , pay-TV , Roku , concluded : “ With so much great content available from global and local streaming services in the Philippines , PLDT ’ s Roku-powered TVolution box is a simple , costeffective way for customers to watch the best TV shows and movies right on their televisions .”