Global streaming service Viki.com is launching a Chinese version of its website and apps aimed at viewers in both China and overseas.
The Chinese site, which will have both traditional and simplified versions, will stream films and TV shows from around the world, including nearly 350 shows from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Viewers will also be able to access new and library programming from Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia.
The fan-subbed streaming service has also tied up with Xiaomi, China’s largest smartphone manufacturer, as its video streaming partner in select international markets. Viki will provide the localised Chinese site on the Xiaomi mobile browser and make its licensed content available in Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brazil. Further markets will be added in the near future.
“As the Chinese entertainment industry establishes itself as an entertainment powerhouse globally, Viki is uniquely positioned to stream its TV shows and movies to a new audience of fans around the world, as well as the growing Chinese diaspora,” said Viki CEO Tammy H. Nam.
“More than half of our viewership of top Chinese shows such as My Best Ex-Boyfriend and the recent historical hit Nirvana In Fire comes from the US, subtitled in nearly 20 languages, thanks to our amazing crowdsourced community of fans. We expect to create global hits for many more Chinese shows in 2016.”
Owned by Japanese ecommerce giant Rakuten, Viki has recently signed licensing deals with several Chinese companies including Huana Baina Film & TV (HBN), Sohu, iCNTV and Huace Film & TV. It also has a co-production deal with China’s Jetavana Entertainment for its first original series, Dramaworld, to be released in spring 2016
Two newly-licensed Chinese TV series will premiere on Viki later this month: romantic drama Beautiful Secret, starring Victoria Song and Peter Ho, and spy thriller The Disguiser, starring Hu Ge, which is part of a trilogy including Good Times and Nirvana In Fire.