iWorld
Fox launches video streaming service in Asia
MUMBAI: After Hooq, iflix, and Netflix, Fox Networks Group Asia has entered the digital space with the launch of its video streaming service Fox+.
The streaming service app features TV series, first-run Hollywood blockbusters, hit Chinese series and movies, live sports and thrilling documentaries, all in one place, accessible from any device (on televisions, computers, tablet, smart phones) in high definition.
The app was launched on 7 March at Makati City in the Phillipines by Fox Networks Group Asia president Zubin Gandevia. Its launch in seven more countries in the Asia Pacific is slated to follow suit within the year.
The app showcase the latest TV series shown on the same day as the US, the latest movies shortly after theatrical release, both often one full year before other subscription services. It will have live sports via Fox Sports, amounting to more than 10,000 hours of content.
Fox is not just a robust content creator with movies such as Deadpool, Logan, etc, but it also claims to be the biggest content-buyer in the region. Several studios like Walt Disney will also be making available their content on the service.
The entry of Fox+ makes it the fourth streaming service in the country. A Fox+ subscription costs around approx Rs 512/month (P390) whereas its competitor Netflix starts at Rs 486/month (P370) for the basic tier while Hooq charges Rs 261(P199) and iflix Rs 169 (P129)
Fox+ will be available for subscribers of Cignal and PLDT/SMART broadband subscribers for a discounted price as the company wants to preserve the loyalty of their fans.
iWorld
Banijay Asia’s The 50 tops OTT charts with 8.1 million JioHotstar views
Reality competition becomes most watched show on JioHotstar in debut week.
MUMBAI: Fifty contestants walked into a palace, but millions of viewers showed up for the drama. Reality competition The 50, produced by Banijay Asia, has emerged as the most watched show on JioHotstar, clocking 8.1 million views in its debut week. The figure, reported by Ormax Media, places the show at the top of the OTT viewership charts and marks a strong opening for the digital reality format.
Adapted from a popular French format, The 50 brings together 50 personalities from television, digital platforms, music and reality shows inside a grand palace setting. Over the course of a 50 day competition, participants form alliances, compete in unpredictable tasks and navigate eliminations as the field steadily narrows.
Guiding the game is a mysterious figure known as The Lion, an unseen game master whose voice introduces twists, challenges and strategic turns throughout the show, adding an extra layer of suspense to the contest.
What distinguishes The 50 from typical reality competitions is its audience driven prize structure. Instead of the winner taking home the final reward, the prize is awarded to one of the winner’s registered followers through the show’s dedicated app. The mechanism effectively turns viewers into participants, allowing fans to have a direct stake in the outcome.
The contestant lineup features a mix of television actors, reality stars and digital creators, including Karan Patel, Urvashi Dholakia, Divya Agarwal, Mr Faisu and Dushyant Kukreja, each bringing their own fan following to the show.
With its blend of celebrity personalities, strategic gameplay and interactive viewer participation, The 50 has quickly carved out a strong foothold in India’s digital entertainment landscape. Its 8.1 million views in the opening week underline the growing appetite for large scale reality formats designed specifically for OTT audiences.
