SINGAPORE — Hot on the heels of Netflix’s arrival, another streaming service has been launched here today (Jan 11), targeted at fans of Korean dramas.

Viu is an over-the-top multi-screen video service from Hong Kong media group PCCW that offers the largest library of Korean dramas and variety shows in Singapore. It also promises the latest programmes, subtitled in English and Chinese, available as soon as eight hours after their initial telecasts in Korea.

Viu has a landmark pan-regional deal with Korea’s top four broadcasters, SBS, KBS, MBC and CJ E&M that gives them an exclusive window and rights to 95 per cent of their latest dramas and variety shows. Currently featuring about 10,000 hours of content, the service plans to offer more Asian titles as their library expands.

Available programmes include Remember – War Of The Son, Six Flying Dragons, Oh My Venus, Running Man and We Got Married. New shows premiering this month and the next include Moorim School and Descendants Of The Sun.

Janice Lee, managing director of PCCW Media Group said: “With smartphone penetration exceeding 80 per cent in Singapore, where 66 per cent of Singaporeans regularly download and/or stream video content, Viu fulfils their desire to catch the latest Korean content.”

With the app, users can download shows to watch on the go, as well as bookmark shows. Their bookmarks and viewing progress will be synchronised across multiple devices.

The basic tier is available for free, and in the works is a premium service that will be launched in partnership with SingTel. Details are still being worked out, but “there will be distinctive differences” between the premium and basic tiers, said Goh Seow Eng, managing director, Home, Consumer Singapore, SingTel. He added that while pricing has not yet been determined, it will be “a very low” monthly subscription. The service will be available to all SingTel customers. “All you have to do is subscribe to be a post-paid mobile customer, a broadband customer, or a TV customer,” Goh said.

Viu launched in Hong Kong in October last year and, by December, the app had more than 500,000 downloads. Plans to launch the service in Malaysia, Indonesia and India were also confirmed.