HBO Max and Viu Join Forces to Bring Exciting Streaming Offerings to Southeast Asia
In a groundbreaking move, HBO Max has announced a partnership with Asian streaming giant Viu to offer a unified subscription package in five Southeast Asian territories by the end of the year. This collaboration between Warner Bros. Discovery’s flagship streamer and PCCW’s regional platform marks a significant cross-platform alliance in the Asia Pacific region. Customers in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand will soon have access to both services through a single payment plan starting in Q4.
The deal will bring together HBO Max’s Hollywood catalog with Viu’s extensive Asian programming library, offering subscribers a diverse range of content. Warner Bros. will contribute major film releases like “A Minecraft Movie” and “Sinners,” as well as popular series such as “Friends” and HBO originals like “The Last of Us” and “The White Lotus.” On the other hand, Viu will provide access to Korean dramas, Chinese series, and locally produced content from Southeast Asia, including reality hits like “Running Man” and “2 Days 1 Night.”
James Gibbons, Warner Bros. Discovery’s Asia Pacific president, expressed excitement about the new partnership, citing the success of similar bundling strategies in other regions. He believes that the collaboration will provide strong entertainment value for consumers in Southeast Asia and drive subscriber growth and retention. By combining two world-class collections in a single subscription, local fans will have even more choices when it comes to premium Hollywood movies, series, and standout Asian content.
For Viu, the alliance with HBO Max represents a strategic move to enhance its competitive position in the face of global streaming rivals expanding into Asian markets. CEO Janice Lee sees the partnership as a step forward in meeting viewers’ evolving tastes and enhancing Viu’s entertainment options. By offering a bundle subscription that combines HBO Max’s Hollywood content with Viu’s Asian favorites, the platform aims to provide more choices in shows, easier access to diverse content, and greater value to subscribers.
Both companies will sell the bundle directly through their websites, allowing customers to access content from each service independently. While platform features and device compatibility may vary between the two services, additional pricing and launch details will be announced in the coming months. Viu, which operates on a freemium model across multiple regions, received a strategic investment from French media company Canal+ last year as part of its growth initiative.
Overall, the partnership between HBO Max and Viu is set to bring a wealth of entertainment options to viewers in Southeast Asia, offering a unique blend of Hollywood and Asian content in a single subscription package. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting collaboration as it unfolds.
