A String of “Firsts” in Video-on-Demand

CEBU, Philippines - Asia’s first and largest premium video-on-demand service, HOOQ, announced its first venture into original content production, the first ever digital release of “Ghostbusters” and “Ghostbusters II” with bonus materials and deleted scenes, and the first-of-its-kind pricing structure for emerging markets – the weekly “sachets.”

HOOQ is an award winning service that empowers customers with unlimited online streaming access and an offline viewing option for top Hollywood and Filipino movies and television content, on any device including computers, smartphones tablets and smart TVs via Google Chromecast.

“We are so proud to be the number one paid video-on-demand service in the country with over 180,000 subscribers!” says HOOQ Philippines Country Manager Jane Cruz-Walker.  “We hold true our promise of bringing the best of local and Hollywood entertainment to our customers.  Now, we take that promise up a notch by venturing into original content production. And we are honored to partner with such an acclaimed Filipino brand as Erik Matti’s ‘On The Job’ [online series].”

The production of Matti’s original mini-series based on the multi-award winning movie “On the Job” is a collaboration among HOOQ, Globe Telecom and Reality Entertainment. The six-episode story revolves around a hard-hitting topic in Philippine society. The movie is slated to kick off this month. 

Award-winning director/producer Erik Matti says, “Creating a mini-series exclusively for a video-on-demand service like HOOQ will allow us to explore unique stories that will be sure to pull in viewers who will want to get more immersed in this compelling world we’re building.”

The award-winning film starring Piolo Pascual, Joel Torre and Gerald Anderson received a two-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013.  It was also screened at the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival in South Korea where it won the Jury Prize, with Joel Torre receiving the Best Actor award.

Globe Senior Advisor for Consumer Business Dan Horan shares, “This new venture strengthens our commitment to provide the best content for our customers whether they are at home or on mobile. We have now taken the next big step to actually co-produce all original materials. This collaboration stands as a strong indication of greater efforts that we will be undertaking in the near future and we can’t wait to get started!”

HOOQ is releasing “On the Job” in the Philippines and in its international markets such as Thailand, India and Indonesia. 

At the same time, fans of the iconic “Ghostbusters” and “Ghostbusters II” will be able to access interviews, extra footage and deleted scenes from the two movies – for the first time on a SVOD platform – all exclusively on HOOQ.

A new “Ghostbusters” will be starred by an all-girl group made up of some of the funniest ladies in Hollywood today, including Melissa MaCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones.  In signing up for a new HOOQ account up to June 24, customers get a chance to watch the world premiere of the new “Ghostbusters” with its stars, this July. “Ghostbusters” and “Ghostbusters II” are currently available on HOOQ

Another first: More Filipinos will soon be able to enjoy HOOQ via bite-size weekly “sachets,” which will enable customers to have access for seven days to the largest catalog of Hollywood and local titles. It’s the first time such a price plan has been introduced in video-on-demand, inclusive of Hollywood content.

“From the beginning, we have been committed to tailor our service to the emerging markets,” says  HOOQ Chief Executive Officer Peter Bithos. “We understand the challenges of the emerging markets unlike any other and our goal is to ensure that everyone across Asia can access entertainment at an affordable price. With the option of a weekly pricing, now many more millions of customers can get HOOQ’d.” 

To get HOOQ, customers may sign up for a 7-day free trial via www.HOOQ.tv.  Globe Postpaid customers can get up to 45 days of free trial with Globe GoSURF 99 and below, and up to 90 days of free trial for all mobile customers availing of GoSURF 299 and up. 

Broadband customers also get HOOQ for free on Globe Home Broadband.  Once the trial period expires, GoSURF customers can continue enjoying HOOQ at a minimal subscription fee monthly charged to their Globe bill. Non-GoSurf subscribers may either pay the monthly subscription free through credit or charge it to their Globe bill by texting HOOQ149 to 8888. (FREEMAN)