Fox makes major OTT move in Asia

Fox International Channels is launching several of its key services over the top in Asia.

The OTT move will see the Fox, Fox Sports (fka ESPN Star Sports) and National Geographic launching as streaming services in the region.

The channels will go OTT in China, Japan, Malaysia and the Philippines in the first wave of launches.

FIC has teamed with Avex in Japan, Tencent and its OTT partners in China, Astro in Malaysia and Cignal in the Philippines, and will make its channels and content available via these partners’ SVOD, streaming and catch-up services.

Zubin Gandevia (pictured), president of Fox International Channels Asia Pacific and the Middle East, said: “We are excited to be partnering with Avex, Tencent, Astro and Cignal. It is our mission to work with our platform partners to grow their subscriber base.

“The online, on-demand opportunity is the new frontier and we hope our innovative new products will help our partners tap into a new segment of consumers who do not have pay TV today.”

CK Lee, vice president, sports business at Malaysian pay TV operator Astro said: “This deal enables us to reach out to new fans through over the top.  We are delighted to further strengthen our relationship with FIC.”

Noel Lorenzana, CEO of Cignal-backer Mediaquest added: “This partnership is a milestone and something to look forward to in the content, pay TV, broadband and mobile space. It’s also a show of leadership for PLDT, Smart, Cignal and FIC.”