MAM
HOOQ announces new partnerships at Asia TV Forum 2019
MUMBAI: HOOQ, Southeast Asia’s leading on-demand service announced a series of partnerships at Asia TV Forum 2019 held in Singapore last week, further cementing its position as the entertainment platform built in Asia, for Asia.
HOOQ is partnering with Outdoor Channel, Mediacorp, TechStorm and ONE Championship across all four markets – Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Additionally, HOOQ is also partnering with JKN Dhamx, M Channel, New18, Channel 3 Catch-up and Thairath TV in Thailand to bring even more content and HOOQ Originals to viewers across Asia.
HOOQ CEO Peter Bithos says, “HOOQ is an entertainment platform made in Asia, for Asia. We remain focused on creating a truly Asian experience for our more than 80 million subscribers. Our partners allow us to deliver relevant and unique stories to more people than ever before across Asia. We couldn’t be happier to have such amazing partners who want to push the boundaries with us.”
Partnerships are core to HOOQ’s hyper-local focus as a voice for authentic, inspiring and thought provoking local stories. These investments and partnerships come together affirming HOOQ’s commitment to growing the region. HOOQ is currently partnered with more than 20 leading companies bringing HOOQ to millions of Asians. These companies include IMDA and all3media international, AIS, Globe Telecom, Grab, Singtel, Telkom and Telkomsel and payment services OVO, Line Pay.
Across four markets – Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, HOOQ announces four new partnerships with Outdoor Channel which will bring 150 hours of free to air Catch up, One Championship will bring highlights and complete videos of upcoming fights and matches in 2020, Stormbytes will add short form content from TechStorm and Mediacorp will see the addition of Chinese content for AVOD.
In addition to the collaborations across the four markets, HOOQ has announced new or renewed HOOQ Originals in Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand.
As part of HOOQ’s long-time collaboration with Starvision, Season 2 of popular sitcom Cek Toko Sebelah releases this month. HOOQ is also launching a weekly talk show IMHO (“In My Humble Opinion”) in co-production with Vice Media. With cheeky humor, IMHO tackles the biggest stories, conversations, and topics trending in Indonesia.
Mina Anud, a HOOQ Original in partnership with Regal Entertainment and Epic Media, is a movie about a small seaside community disrupted when three tons of cocaine land on its shores.
The popular Sex Talks with Dr. Holmes is a non-fiction sex comedy series that answers questions we are too shy to ask, but are too curious to pass up. It will be back for a second season with 16 episodes. As the premier sex expert in the Philippines, Dr. Margie Holmes is one of the most popular columnists in the country. Dr. Holmes gives no-holds-barred professional advice about everyday issues, deepening ongoing conversations about love, life and lust.
In Thailand, HOOQ adds JKN Dhamx, an Indian series with Thai dubbing to its available content. M Channel will bring even more Thai-dubbed movies while Channel 3 Catch-up will bring Thai drama series. HOOQ Thailand is also adding news channels New18 as well as including catch-up content to Thairath TV.
More HOOQ Originals combined with the best partnerships in the region broaden HOOQ’s footprint and offering of relevant, high-quality content. This paves the way for viewers across Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand to have access to truly innovative and unique Asian stories like no other service has delivered.
HOOQ’s Originals slate is now at 63 original productions across the region, complementing the more than 35,000 hours of movies, television shows, sports and currently on HOOQ, available anytime, anywhere.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
