Singtel’s video streaming service HOOQ has expanded its catalog and now includes movies from Bollywood production house Yash Raj Films. With this, HOOQ now claims to offer over 30,000 hours of Hollywood, Bollywood, regional and local content in India.
Some of the movies from Yash Raj Films include iconic classics such as Kaala Pathhar, Kabhi Kabhi and Silsila. Other movies include Rocket Singh – Salesman of the Year, Kabul Express, Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge, Aaja Nachle, Ta Ra Rum Pum, Mashaal, Noorie, and Daag.
HOOQ started its operations in India in May. It allows users to stream and download content for Rs 199 per month. HOOQ also features a content recommendation engine. Users will also be offered adaptive streaming, bandwidth indicator and offline play. Users will get unlimited access to content across 5 devices where 2 devices can be used simultaneously. In India, the carrier billing facility will be provided by Airtel, in which Singtel owns a 32.34% stake. The service can be paid for through credit cards, debit cards, net banking and Paytm wallets.
Competition
– Digital entertaiment company Hungama.com launched a new application called Hungama Play for streaming movies. The new application will feature about 3,000 Indian and English movies.
– Star India had also launched a video streaming service in beta called Hotstar.com in the same month. Hotstar seems to include all of Star India’s television and sports offerings along with offering Bollywood & regional movies from other studios.
– Other video & movie streaming services available in India include Singapore-based Spuul, Times Internet’s BoxTV, Zee Entertainment Enterprises’ DittoTV, and Reliance Group’sBigFlix among others. It’s worth noting that Yash Raj Films had a similar deal with Spuul in 2013.
– Google had rolled out its movie streaming service YouTube Rentals in India, back in March 2013. YouTube Rentals offers users a wide range of Bollywood, regional, off-beat & international movies, which they can rent or purchase for online viewing.
