HOOQ

About HOOQ

HOOQ was a Singapore-based over-the-top (OTT) video-on-demand streaming service established in January 2015 as a joint venture between telecommunications group Singtel, Sony Pictures Television, and Warner Bros. Entertainment. The company was formed to capitalize on the growing demand for video streaming in Asia, launching progressively in markets including Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, India, and Indonesia. Peter Bithos, who previously served as Chief Operating Officer of Globe Telecom in the Philippines, was appointed as the founding CEO, bringing extensive experience in the region's telecommunications and media sectors.

The business operated on a subscription-based model, providing subscribers with access to a vast library of content. Revenue was generated through monthly subscription fees, which were kept affordable and often integrated with Singtel's carrier billing capabilities, a crucial feature in developing markets with low credit card penetration. The service targeted a broad consumer base in emerging Asian markets, aiming to provide a legal and high-quality alternative to rampant piracy. HOOQ's core offering was a catalogue of over 10,000 movies and TV series, featuring Hollywood blockbusters from its studio partners, alongside a curated selection of local and regional Asian content. A key differentiator was its hybrid model, which combined international hits with popular local programming to cater to regional tastes. The platform allowed users to both stream and download content for offline viewing, addressing the challenge of limited internet connectivity in some of its key markets.

Despite a promising start and securing over 80 million subscribers, HOOQ faced intense competition from global giants like Netflix and other regional players. The company struggled to achieve profitability due to the high costs of content acquisition and the gradual willingness of consumers in emerging markets to pay for such services. On March 27, 2020, HOOQ filed for liquidation, citing the inability to generate sustainable returns to cover escalating costs and challenges in the competitive landscape. The service officially shut down on April 30, 2020. In July 2020, South Korean e-commerce firm Coupang acquired HOOQ's software assets, which were later used to build its own streaming service, Coupang Play.