HOOQ Ramps Up Originals Slate

Asian streaming platform HOOQ is looking to deliver 100 originals by Q2 2020, today unveiling 19 new projects from across Southeast Asia.

“Across Southeast Asia we’ve seen a significant uptick in local content viewed year-on-year for the past three years,” said Jennifer Batty, chief content officer at HOOQ. “From January through September 2019 alone, more than 51 percent of total playing minutes come from SEA content. These consumption habits drive our decision to keep laser-focused on building strong partnerships with the biggest studios, networks, production companies, screenwriters and directors in order to bring our customers the best of local, regional, Hollywood movies, television shows and short form.”

The slate of new projects includes 12 series and seven movies. The platform’s portfolio of originals now stands at 59.

Indonesia remains a core focus for HOOQ, spawning 13 of the 19 new projects. The company is expanding its partnership with MD Entertainment to develop and launch movies and series—four storylines will be developed to create interconnected movies and series for launch in 2020. HOOQ will also continue to feature blockbuster movies from MD Entertainment. With Starvision HOOQ is premiering season two of Cek Toko Sebelah and a brand-new coming-of-age comedy, Yowis Ben. From Marawa is season two of the crime series Brata. Also in Indonesia, HOOQ is launching a weekly talk show, IMHO (In My Humble Opinion), in co-production with Vice Media.

In the Philippines, HOOQ is delivering the feature films Iska and Mina Anud later this year. In Singapore, HOOQ is collaborating with award-winning filmmaker Anthony Chen and his production company on a three-year first-look and co-production deal, while the winner of this year’s HOOQ Filmmakers Guild, She’s A Terrorist and I Love Her, premieres on the platform in January 2020. In Thailand, HOOQ is extending its long-time exclusive partnership with M Pictures for movies and will soon premiere the original movie The Cave and series Someone.

Peter Bithos, CEO of HOOQ, noted, “HOOQ was born and raised in the heart of Asia. We know Southeast Asia and remain 100 percent focused on creating a truly Asian video platform for our nearly 80 million subscribers. There is such a rich cultural heritage in this region with so many local stories to bring to life. Our tie-ups with like-minded partners who want to push boundaries together allow us to deliver fresh and unique stories matching the context of each market in Southeast Asia.”

Bryan Seah, head of original productions at HOOQ, added, “At HOOQ we celebrate Asian stories as well as storytellers from Asia. From award winners, to studios, to up-and-coming young filmmakers, our slate continues to show our commitment to collaborate and nurture authentic and exciting voices from our part of the world and bring the best of Asian entertainment to all our HOOQ subscribers.”