iflix is a subscription video on demand (VOD) service focused on emerging markets. Its global headquarters are in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The site serves as a digital hosting and distribution platform for Western, Asian, and Middle Eastern TV shows and movies obtained through partnerships with over 150 studios and content distributors globally including Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Disney, Warner Bros, Paramount, NBC Universal, Fox, CBS, BBC, Sony Pictures and Discovery.
iflix is currently available in 25 countries across Asia, Middle East, and Africa including Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei, Thailand, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Pakistan, Vietnam, Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon, Egypt, Sudan, Cambodia, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Nepal, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe. As of December 2017, iflix has more than 6.5 million subscribers on its service.
Video Iflix
History
Founding and Establishment
iflix was founded by Patrick Grove, CEO of Catcha Group, Mark Britt and Evolution Media, a merchant bank focused on the media, sports, and entertainment industries.iflix was created for the rapidly growing, emerging middle-class population and their increasing demand for entertainment content. The company set out to address a certain set of conditions, which tend to exist universally across emerging markets - prevalence of piracy, inconsistent infrastructure, inconsistent quality and distribution of internet connectivity, expensive and limited mobile data, low paid television penetration, low credit-card penetration and a lack of familiarity with online payment options - through technology and commercial partnerships.
In April 2015, iflix announced the completion of a $30 million round of funding, led by leading international investment firm, Catcha Group and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), the largest integrated telecommunications company in the Philippines. The company launched its service in Malaysia and the Philippines one month later, where they additionally announced the formation of its Advisory Board, composed of Hollywood business and creative leaders. By July, iflix recorded over 100,000 subscribers, becoming Southeast Asia's fastest growing Internet TV service. Within the 12-week trial phase of its official launch in Thailand in November, iflix drew close to 200,000 subscribers.
In March 2016, iflix attracted a $45-million investment from European pay-TV giant Sky plc. In June, iflix announced its official launch in Indonesia and in August 2016, iflix announced its official launch in Sri Lanka. It announced its official launch in Brunei on September, and the Maldives in November.
In January 2017, iflix announced its official launch in Pakistan.
In February 2017, iflix announced its official launch in Vietnam. That same month the company announced a joint venture with Zain, leading telecommunications group in the Middle East and Africa, establishing iflix Arabia.
In March 2017, iflix announced its official launch in Myanmar.
In April 2017, iflix went live in 8 countries in MENA. and in October 2017, iflix launched in Nepal.
In June 2017, iflix announced the establishment of iflix Africa. iflix Africa is headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa and trades commercially as 'iflix', with launches in Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana, Sudan and Zimbabwe.
iflix launched in Bangladesh in November 2017. Robi and Airtel customers get 3 months free access when signing up.
Management
In July 2016, former CEO of StockUnlimited Christian Toksvig joined as Head of International Business Development. Founder of Iktomi Nader Sobhan joined as Head of Middle East and North Africa and in November 2017, he transitioned into the role of Strategic Advisor, working closely with Group CEO Mark Britt.
In October 2016, Marc Barnett joined iflix Group as Chief Operating Officer.
In January 2017, former head of technology for all of Walt Disney's businesses outside of the United States, Emmanuel Frenehard, joined iflix as Chief Technology Officer of iflix Group.
In March 2017, former VP, Global Television at Netflix Sean Carey was appointed the new Chief Content Officer, in place of James Bridges.
In September 2017, the company appointed Sky PLC executive, Anil Jhingan as Chief Financial and Commercial Officer.
In November 2017, iflix appointed telecommunications executive John Saad as CEO of iflix MENA.
Maps Iflix
Strategies
Localisation
iflix's local content strategy focuses on first-run local movies and original programming. iflix has greenlit a number of projects which underpin this strategy and support home-grown talent.The emphasis on localisation includes dubbing and sub-titling content, as well as engaging local content creators to produce compelling local stories through their work.
Tackling Piracy
The company says it is an alternative that is better, safer and more convenient than piracy, and that it further respects local cultural and religious standards and preferences in each market with a strategy to build and support the industry ecosystem, to generate jobs in the creative field.
Partnerships
iflix works with selected studios and telecommunications companies both regionally and worldwide, having partnerships with PLDT Group for commercial distribution and the landmark content partnerships with a number of Hollywood's studios; including The Walt Disney Company, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros, Fox, and Starz. It also announced together with Vimond Media Solutions, which plans to establish a jointly operated development centre in Kuala Lumpur.
In August 2015, iflix announced that MGM, had become an investor in the business. MGM's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Gary Barber sits on iflix's Advisory Board and the companies' extensive multi-year content licensing partnership.
In September 2015, iflix entered into an agreement with Malaysian telecommunications giant, Digi Telecommunication Sdn Bhd (Digi) to provide iflix's service to Digi customers in Malaysia.
In December 2015, iflix announced partnerships in Malaysia and the Philippines with leading telecommunications providers, Smart Communications (Smart) and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) in the Philippines and Telekom Malaysia (TM) in Malaysia. iflix will provide its service to over 70 million Smart and PLDT HOME customers in the Philippines for free. In conjunction with Telekom Malaysia (TM), all TM Unifi and select Streamyx customers are offered a free 12-month iflix subscriptions.
In April 2016, iflix announced partnership with leading telecommunications services company in Indonesia, Telkom Indonesia, and Indonesian network provider Indosat Ooredoo. On 18 November, iflix launched its services in the Maldives in collaboration with the flagship telecommunication services provider in the country, Dhiraagu,. In September 2017, iflix entered Bangladeshi market through the partnership with the third leading telecommunication service provider of the country, Robi.
In February 2017, iflix announced a joint venture with Zain, leading telecommunications group in the Middle East and Africa, establishing iflix Arabia.
In January 2018, iflix announced a joint venture with Football Malaysia LLP to develop and produce new content formats, competions and live stream matches, including Liga Super, Piala Malaysia, marquee Piala FA and selected Liga Premier matches on a dedicated "Football Malaysia on iflix" channel.
Celebrity Partners
Several notable celebrities have invested in iflix. In July 2015, Malaysian actress Maya Karin and TV host Sazzy Falak joined iflix as ambassadors and shareholders. In November of the same year, iflix welcomed Philippine celebrities Iza Calzado, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Ruffa Gutierrez, Raymond Gutierrez, Richard Gutierrez, JM Rodriguez and Karylle Tatlonghari-Yuzon as partners in the business. Thai celebrities; including actresses 'Jieb' Sopidnapa Chumpanee and 'Aom' Phiyada Akkraseranee, 'Jeab' Lalana Kongtoranin, Note Panayanggool and 'Paule' Ponphan Sittinawawit also joined the company as both investors and advisors in the curation of new content for online viewers. In September 2017, Pakistan's biggest rockstar, Ali Zafar, joined iflix as a celebrity parther. In January 2018, Myanmar Academy Award-winning actress, Phway Phway, joined iflix as a celebrity partner.
List of programs distributed by iflix
iflix has the rights to distribute certain programmes.
Licensed Content
- Mr. Robot
- The Magicians
- Medici: Masters of Florence
- Fargo
- Teen Wolf (2011 TV series)
- Vikings (2013 TV series)
- The Walking Dead (TV series)
- Legion (TV series)
- Crow's Blood
- Suits (US TV series)
- Aquarius
- Arrow
- The Good Place
- Muppets
- The Flash
- Black Sails
- Hunters
- Limitless
- The Detour
- The Legend of the Blue Sea
- Channel Zero
- Reply 1988
- Aftermath
- Goblin/Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
- Emerald City
- Encantadia (Both 2005-2007 and 2016)
- Descendants of the Sun
- Midnight, Texas
Live Sports
In January 2018, iflix launched the "Football Malaysia on iflix" channel to live stream Malaysia Super League, Malaysia Cup and marquee Malaysia FA Cup matches. iflix also streams Indonesia's Liga 1 and the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor fight in Indonesia, and the 2017 T10 Cricket League in Bangladesh.
Features
Channels
In August 2017, iflix launched Channels to showcase entertainment studios and brands, along with user's' favourite content genres. The feature includes personalised onboarding, and recommendations based on user's preferences and viewing history.
Playlists
In August 2016, iflix launched its 'Playlists' feature, consisting of curated playlists of film productions from over 150 celebrities in the Southeast Asia, as well as 'Collections' based on moods and popular themes. Notable celebrities on 'Playlists' include Afdlin Shauki, Amber Chia, Ashraf Sinclair, Michelle Ziudith and 'Ploy' Ployphan Taveerat.
Download and Watch Offline
The service also offers the option of offline viewing to its members through its 'Download and Watch Offline' feature, where subscribers can download content without a Wi-Fi connection and without mobile data to their Android and IOS devices. Content can be downloaded in either "low", "medium" or "high" quality formats.
High Definition
In March 2017, iflix rolled out its service in HD, with all new shows published on the platform available in HD.
References
External links
- iflix site
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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