HOOQ

Indonesian news website Kompas.com reports on Monday that the Southeast Asian video streaming service HOOQ is set to shut down its platform on April 30.

Philippine telecom provider Globe Telecom, which is one of streaming service’s launching partners, also announced on its website its termination, adding “… you can still enjoy your remaining access until the service ends.”

The service has since removed their login features and its subscription content not anymore viewable from their platform.

 

The termination of HOOQ comes almost a month after Singaporean telecom provider Singtel, which is its majority owner, filed for liquidation of assets last March 27 due to insufficiency in providing growth amid escalating costs and sustainable returns.

“Global and local content providers are increasingly going direct, the cost of content remains high, and emerging market consumers’ willingness to pay has increased only gradually amidst an increasing array of choices,” said by the streaming service in an article from CNA.

“Because of these changes, a viable business model for an independent, over-the-top distribution platform has become increasingly challenged,” it added.

 

HOOQ is an over-the-top (OTT) streaming service launched in 2015, which is a joint venture between Singaporean telecom provider Singtel, Sony Pictures and Warner Bros.

Philippine telecom provider Globe Telecom became its launching partner, which initially offered the OTT service as part of its add-on services until it opened to other payment platforms a couple of years later.

Aside from the Philippines, the service is also available in Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore and India.

 

Southeast Asian anime channel ANIPLUS Asia was one of HOOQ’s content providers at launch, offered several anime shows from its content library, but has since pulled out from the platform two years later.

Philippine-based content licensor Telesuccess Productions also partnered with the OTT service, streaming several Tagalog-dubbed anime titles including Assassination Classroom, Knock Out! (Hajime no Ippo) and Mazinger Z: Infinity.

Kyoto Animation’s 2016 teen drama anime film A Silent Voice is the last anime title added to the service, which started streaming just last March 15.