Iflix

Founding and Establishment

iflix was founded by Patrick Grove, CEO of Catcha Group, Mark Britt and Evolution Media Capital (EMC), a merchant bank focused on the media, sports, and entertainment industries.

In April 2015, iflix announced the completion of a $30 million round of funding, led by leading international investment firm, Catcha Group and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), the largest integrated telecommunications company in the Philippines. The company launched its service in Malaysia and the Philippines one month later, where they additionally announced the formation of its Advisory Board, composed of Hollywood business and creative leaders. By July, iflix recorded over 100,000 subscribers, becoming Southeast Asia’s fastest growing Internet TV service. Within the 12-week trial phase of its official launch in Thailand in November, iflix drew close to 200,000 subscribers.

In March 2016, iflix attracted a $45-million investment from European pay-TV giant Sky plc. In June, iflix announced its official launch in Indonesia and in August 2016, iflix announced its official launch in Sri Lanka. It announced its official launch in Brunei on September, and the Maldives in November.

In January 2017, iflix announced its official launch in Pakistan.

In February 2017, iflix announced its official launch in Vietnam.

In March 2017, iflix announced its official launch in Myanmar.

Management

Former CEO of AirAsia X Azran Osman Rani was appointed as CEO of iflix Malaysia and Chief Operating Officer of iflix Group in April 2015.

Cam Walker, former Head of Content Development at Emtek was appointed CEO of iflix Indonesia in March 2016.

In April 2016, David Goldstein was appointed Head of Asia alongside Martin Johansen as Head of New Markets.

In July 2016, former CEO of StockUnlimited Christian Toksvig joined as Head of International Business Development, Founder of Iktomi Nader Sobhan joined as Head of Middle East and North Africa and former CEO of Price Check joined as Head of Africa.

Partnerships

iflix works with selected studios and telecommunications companies both regionally and worldwide, having partnerships with PLDT Group for commercial distribution and the landmark content partnerships with a number of Hollywood’s studios; including The Walt Disney Company, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros, Fox, and Starz. It also announced together with Vimond Media Solutions, which plans to establish a jointly operated development centre in Kuala Lumpur.

In August 2015, iflix announced that MGM, had become an investor in the business. MGM’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Gary Barber sits on iflix’s Advisory Board and the companies’ extensive multi-year content licensing partnership.

In September 2015, iflix entered into an agreement with Malaysian telecommunications giant, Digi Telecommunication Sdn Bhd (Digi) to provide iflix’s service to Digi customers in Malaysia.

In December 2015, iflix announced partnerships in Malaysia and the Philippines with leading telecommunications providers, Smart Communications (Smart) and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) in the Philippines and Telekom Malaysia (TM) in Malaysia. iflix will provide its service to over 70 million Smart and PLDT HOME customers in the Philippines for free. In conjunction with Telekom Malaysia (TM), all TM Unifi and select Streamyx customers are offered a free 12-month iflix subscriptions.

In April 2016, iflix announced partnership with leading telecommunications services company in Indonesia, Telkom Indonesia, and Indonesian network provider Indosat Ooredoo. On 18 November, iflix launched its services in the Maldives in collaboration with the flagship telecommunication services provider in the country, Dhiraagu,.

Celebrity investors

Several notable celebrities have invested in iflix. In July 2015, Malaysian actress Maya Karin and TV host Sazzy Falak joined iflix as ambassadors and shareholders. In November of the same year, iflix welcomed Philippine celebrities Iza Calzado, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Ruffa Gutierrez, Raymond Gutierrez, Richard Gutierrez, JM Rodriguez and Karylle Tatlonghari-Yuzon as shareholders of the company and partners in the business. Thai celebrities; including actresses ‘Jieb’ Sopidnapa Chumpanee and ‘Aom’ Phiyada Akkraseranee, ‘Jeab’ Lalana Kongtoranin, Note Panayanggool and ‘Paule’ Ponphan Sittinawawit also joined the company as both investors and advisors in the curation of new content for online viewers.

List of programs distributed by iflix

iflix has the rights to distribute certain programmes.

Acquired content

Playlists

In August 2016, iflix launched its ‘Playlists’ feature, consisting of curated playlists of film productions from over 150 celebrities in the Southeast Asia, as well as 'Collections' based on moods and popular themes. Notable celebrities on ‘Playlists’ include Afdlin Shauki, Amber Chia, Ashraf Sinclair, Michelle Ziudith and ‘Ploy’ Ployphan Taveerat.

Download and Watch Offline

The service also offers the option of offline viewing to its members through its 'Download and Watch Offline' feature, where subscribers can download content without a Wi-Fi connection and without mobile data to their Android and IOS devices. Content can be downloaded in either "low", "medium" or "high" quality formats.