iflix eyes local content amid intense competition

“After our first anniversary celebration in Thailand, we will continue to build our brand awareness in line with the expanding distribution network in terms of sales and payments to make it more easy and simple for our customers,” Artima Suraphongchai, country manager of the regional VOD provider, told The Nation last week.

Besides strengthening its relationship with the leading global entertainment content providers, the company is also emphasising more on partnering with local leading TV production houses to provide exclusive offers to its members.

Recently, the company signed an agreement with the rights manager of GMM Thai Hub’s movies for its blockbuster films Suck Seed, Pee Mak, May Nai Fai Rang Frer, Bangkok Traffic Love Story, ATM: Er Rak, Error, Seven Something and The Billionaire.

Artima said that apart from films, the company was also interested in local TV series.

“We are in talks with several local TV production houses in seeking further collaboration as well as content acquisition to enhance our exclusive service,” she added.

Currently, the company has an exclusive agreement with Kantana Motion Pic, a member of the country’s leading entertainment giant Kantana Group. Under this deal, iflix will have the rights to provide 13 episodes of “The Graveyard Story’s uncut version” to its members.

“The Graveyard Story” was originally produced by new generation executives of Kantana for airing on Channel 7 every Wednesday night but iflix members would get exclusive access to the horror TV series as a catch-up service via its mobile application and website under a single monthly package, priced at Bt100.

In the remaining months, the company will also add a new exclusive line-up of international films and TV series from over 150 studios and distributors. The new line-ups include “The Last Ship-seasons 1-2”, “And Then There Were None- season 1”, “Younger- seasons 1-2”, “Descendants of the Sun”, “Roommate (Season 1-2)”, “Five Enough”, “Moonlight Drawn By Clouds” and “Uncontrollably Fond”.

She added that Thailand was ranked in the top three in the region along with the Philippines and Indonesia. Currently, there are 5 million registered members with a combined 10 million minutes of viewing per day.

Meanwhile, iflix’s members in the Kingdom watch an average 165 minutes each day, ranked as No 2 in this region after the Philippines with 184 minutes per day. 

Most Thai members prefer watching iflix content on their mobile devices with 57 per cent, followed by 43 per cent on website. The most favourite genre was drama, followed by comedy and Korean series.

iflix Group co-founder and chief executive officer Mark Britt said: “After the launch of iflix in Thailand last year, I am hugely proud of everything the team has achieved as well, as the overwhelming response and demand we have received from consumers.”

 

 

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