iflix Launches Special Video-On-Demand Platform In Nigeria

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

iflix, an international Subscription Video-on-Demand (SVoD) service focused on emerging markets, has announced the official launch of its services in Nigeria.

The platform announced the commencement of its operations at a recent media event held at PlayStation, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Speaking at the launch, Ngozi Madueke-Dozie, country manager, iflix Nigeria, said the subscription service is targeted at the mass market with total commitment to understand Nigerian market and provide specific tailored and relevant content.

“We are especially thrilled to launch iflix in Nigeria. We are here to offer affordability, variety, and convenience by giving our users an amazing selection of the best TV shows and movies from all over the world, to stream or download on any device of their choice for less,” Madueke-Dozie said.

According to her, Nigeria’s 151 million subscriber base is a gold mine and “iflix is here to transform the way Nigerians consume long form entertainment. We are a global company that operates locally, which allows us to leverage our world-class technology to deliver content specifically curated for the Nigerian consumer.”

iflix, founded two years ago in Malaysia and operational in over 20 countries across Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, has been dubbed as Asia’s answer to Netfilx.

Madueke-Dozie said customer support will not be a problem with iflix Nigeria as their operations in those countries automatically translates to multiple time zones and means they can respond to enquiries and complaint at any time of the day.

She however said“We are fully operational in Nigeria, investing heavily in local content and the entertainment industry. We have a local operations team based in Lagos and this allows us to feel the pulse of our users, which we reflect in our marketing and content.

iflix recently announced it has completed a $133 million funding round as it continues to deliver on its vision of bringing the world’s best entertainment to its audiences.

The funding round, which attracted significant interest from both new investors and existing shareholders, was led by Hearst, one of America’s largest diversified media, information and services companies, and also included additional new investors Singapore-based EDBI and clients of DBS private bank.

Existing shareholders Evolution Media, Sky PLC, Catcha Group, Liberty Global, Jungle Ventures and PLDT Inc. also increased their investments.

Since going live in May 2015, iflix rapidly established a clear leadership position in emerging markets, setting a new standard for delivering a world-class streaming entertainment service, passionately focused on local customer experiences.

Over the last 12 months, the company has additionally built deep integrated distribution partnerships with 27 leading telecommunications operators to bundle the iflix service with customers’ mobile and data subscriptions, all sponsored by the telecommunications provider.

And with over 220 studio and distributor partnerships, iflix offers subscribers a large selection of TV series and movies both internationally and locally available in the region.

From cartoons, Nigerian drama and films to Korean and Hollywood TV, iflix boasts of a wide range of offerings.

Subscription to iflix gives users unlimited access to content on the platform and ability to stream on up to 5 devices at once; mobile phones, laptop, tablet and or television.

Data presented shows iflix currently has five million members and five billion minutes streamed since launch.

The iflix mobile application is available on the Google Play and Apple App stores and to attract Nigerian users to the platform, the service offers subscribers one month free trial on its website or by downloading the app on their phone or tablet, giving them access to movies without contractual obligations.

After the trial, monthly subscription costs ₦799 and an annual subscription costs ₦6,392, which translates to a 33% discount off the monthly rate.