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Streaming service HOOQ to shut down on April 30
Singapore-based video streaming platform HOOQ has announced that it will shut down its service on April 30.
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Video-streaming platform HOOQ will stop its service on April 30. (Shutterstock/Piotr Swat)
Video-streaming platform HOOQ has announced that it will shut down its service on April 30.
Kompas.com reports that HOOQ Indonesia’s country head Guntur S. Siboro said it would stop operations because of a stakeholder decision to file for liquidation in late March.
Founded in 2015, HOOQ Digital is a joint venture between Singapore Telecommunication Ltd. (Singtel), Sony Pictures Television and Warner Bros Entertainment. The platform operates in Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and India, among others. It introduced its service to Indonesia in April 2016.
According to Guntur, HOOQ Indonesia put on a good performance compared with other countries but in general HOOQ was unable to grow rapidly and gain sustainable profits to cover its costs.
Read also: Prepare to get hooked: 'Cek Toko Sebelah' series coming to HOOQ
In Indonesia, HOOQ had collaborated with telecommunication operators Smartfren and Telkom, as well as ride-hailing service provider Grab. In December last year, popular Indonesian comedy movie Cek Toko Sebelah (Check the Store Next Door) was adapted into a web series on the platform.
Among the streaming services available in Indonesia are Netflix, Amazon’s Prime Video, HBO GO, Viu, iflix and Vidio, with newcomers that include GoPlay and Mola TV.
On April 21, Netflix reported its subscriptions surged by almost 16 million during lockdowns amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Confined to home, millions have turned to streaming services for entertainment. (wng)
