HOOQ announces first ever ad-free ‘freemium’ model in Southeast Asia

HOOQ, Asia’s first and largest premium video-on-demand service, today unveils its new app and the first of its kind hybrid model ad-free freemium service that allows more customers to try out the service. The SVOD service that was built in Asia for Asia takes on a mobile-first user experience to cater to the voracious demands of mobile users.

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AD-FREE FREEMIUM APP

This new hybrid model now allows customers to sample a premium service at no cost.  Pilot episodes of all TV series will now be free for all registered users even after their free trial period has ended.  Customers can now catch pilot episodes from DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl, Devious Maids, The Mentalist, Castle to Alyas Robin Hood, Walang Hanggan and #Jadine whenever they hit the service.  This extended sampling gives the customers the power to decide if they would like to continue to watch the rest of series before they pay for the subscription.

‘We are very excited to introduce this hybrid model as it gives customers more control over their purchase decision. This new hybrid model is a result of what we have learnt over the past year after studying usage patterns and speaking to numerous customers and understanding what they want in a video-on-demand service.  We believe this will be a win-win strategy for both our customers and our business as it allows the customers to try the service and the content before they decide to purchase, at the same time, we have the opportunity to re-engage customers whenever we introduce our latest titles, outside of their free trial period’, said Peter Bithos, Chief Executive Officer at HOOQ.  ‘The key driver of any video-on-demand service is their content and we are confident that our offering will keep our customers HOOQ’d month after month!’ He added.

HOOQ’s new ad-free freemium service will be available to all customers starting October.

MOBILE-FIRST USER EXPERIENCE

HOOQ fans can look forward to a new app interface that boasts a mobile first UX that has been built from extensive customer beta testing and usability research to derive a customer-centric experience, given that over 80% of customers are consuming HOOQ on their mobile devices.

Designed with the habits of the social and digital natives in mind, this new mobile-first release boasts a brand new real time content feed and personalized recommendation engine that makes discovering new favorites easier than ever.  Additionally, there is an improved search engine, wish-lists (for future viewing) and optimized content delivery for significantly faster app start and streaming start times.

The new app has been in development by HOOQ’s in-house team for nearly nine months and is backboned by a new back-end framework focused on a faster and higher quality streaming experience for the customer.  In addition to the current support of iOS, Android, web, Chromecast and Android Set-top Box, HOOQ will also be available on Airplay and mobile web as part of this launch.

‘We know that our customers are mostly enjoying HOOQ on their mobile devices so it was a natural decision that we enhanced the entire HOOQ platform to give our customers a best in class mobile-first experience.  For me, one of the most exciting new features is the real time content feed that highlights our most popular content and knowing what others are watching and which titles are trending!’  said Jane Cruz-Walker, Country Manager of HOOQ Philippines

HOOQ, a start-up venture between Singtel, Sony Pictures Television and Warner Bros., is an award winning service that empowers customers with unlimited online streaming access and an offline viewing option to top Hollywood and Filipino movies and television content, on any device including computers, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs via Google Chromecast, Android set-top-boxes and now, also on Airplay!

How to get HOOQ

It’s easy to get HOOQ!  Sign up today on www.HOOQ.tv for a free trial.  Monthly subscriptions start from Php149.00 and soon, customers can also choose from weekly subscriptions for as low as Php59.00.

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 Php149 subscription fee monthly charged to your Globe bill.  For all other subscribers, you can either pay the Php149 monthly subscription fee through credit card or charge it to your Globe bill by texting HOOQ149 to 8888.