Video on demand service iflix to launch in PHL

A subscription video-on-demand service with content deals with top Hollywood studios will soon be launched in the Philippines.

Southeast Asia-based iflix announced on Tuesday that it will offer its subscribers films and TV shows from Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution, BBC Worldwide, and Warner Bros. International Television Distribution.

Iflix Group CEO Mark Britt said that the deals are "integral pieces" in its delivering quality content to its Southeast Asian consumers.

With these partnerships, iflix will be able to give its subscribers unlimited access to shows like "Homeland", "Modern Family", and "American Horror Story" through Fox; "Doctor Who", "Sherlock" and "Orphan Black" through BBC; and "Friends" and "Arrow" through Warner Bros.

Iflix subscribers will also have access to stream Warner Bros. movies like "Superman Returns" and "Batman Begins."

"We are excited about the opportunity to work with iflix in the Philippines. The SVOD business is here to stay and being able to partner with a professional operator like iflix, getting in at the ground level is something we value at Fox," said Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution vice president for sales in Asia Brendan Zauner.

Iflix is also set to launch in other key Southeast Asian markets like Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam throughout 2015. The SVOD service promised subscriber more than 10,000 hours of films and TV shows from Hollywood, Asian, and local studios.

Each subscription will allow a user to access iflix on five devices and save content to their mobile, tablet, computer, or television set. 

PLDT also provided iflix with an initial funding of $15 million.

"PLDT looks forward to working with iflix to grow its business and introduce new media services that will fuel further the demand for broadband and mobile access in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia," said PLDT chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan in a statement announcing the deal. — BM, GMA News