MGM Studio invests in iFlix
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), one of Hollywood’s acclaimed studios, has invested in iflix, forging an extensive multi-year content licensing partnership with Southeast Asia’s leading Internet TV service.
MGM will contribute premium in-demand television and film content to iFlix’s library of 20,000 movies and television episodes and MGM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gary Barber, was appointed to iflix’s Advisory Board.
“iflix is an innovative and rapidly growing service,” Barber underscored. “We are always looking at new strategic investment opportunities.”
“MGM’s substantial weight, influence and resources in the industry will be a critical advantage for us in the development and execution of our strategy as we look to solidify our leadership in the region and expand into new markets,“announced iflix Group CEO, Mark Britt.
Having recently launched in the Philippines and Malaysia, iflix will roll out its service to additional key Southeast Asian markets, including Thailand and Indonesia throughout 2015, offering consumers the largest library of top US, Asian regional, and local TV shows and movies available in the region.
Just last week, Iflix announced its partnership with GMA for local catch up TV as well as its plans to offer a download-and-play later-feature for 95 per cent of its tens of thousand hours of content soon.
Already, iflix has hauled in 153,000 subscribers in the Philippines in its 83 days of operation. “We are at 1 million minutes per day (viewing) now,” declared iflix Country Manager for the Philippines Sherwin dela Cruz.
The bulk, or 70 percent, of subscribers viewing iflix use cellular phones and tablets, predominantly on Android.
Initially, “Our first focus was the mature market – people with good internet access, those with gadgets at home who are comfortable with using video on demand,” he explained. Todate, they are ready to expand that market. “We want to serve more people.”
Iflix needs more personalized marketing, he acknowledged, plus celebrity investors – which means persuading their celebrity endorsers to cough up cash for the service as well.
Furthermore, “Our partnership with GMA is key in our commitment to providing members with the best in local and international entertainment,” dela Cruz added.
The partnership will enable iflix subscribers to view an extensive library of Philippine TV programs, popular shows, news documentaries and feature films. They can likewise view new episodes of GMA shows within seven days of their initial broadcast via Catch Up TV.
Since its launch in late May, iflix has been offering international content fast-tracked from the US, including top late-night talk show Conan, which subscribers can view on iflix just 24 hours after its initial broadcast.
Iflix has also secured first-run rights to the second installment of Fargo which premieres this October 12 in the US All new episodes will premiere exclusively on iflix less than 24 hours after its initial US broadcast.
All ten episodes of the first season, which received 18 Emmy nominations and five Golden Globe nominations, including wins for Outstanding and Best Miniseries, are now exclusively available at iflix.
Each subscription allows users to access the service on five devices, such as mobile phone, tablet, computer or television set for viewing anytime, anywhere at 129 per month for unlimited access and 99 a month for Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and Smart Communications Inc. subscribers.