Entertainment

Is Viu Free? 10 Facts About Viu & Viu Premium That You Probably Didn’t Know

2018-02-12 , 12:01 pm

Unveiling Viu: The Free App Revolutionizing Asian Entertainment

You might be asking, “what is Viu?” and even more importantly, “is Viu free?” Hold tight, because we’re about to delve into everything you need to know about this revolutionary streaming service, including the benefits of Viu Premium.

Do you recall the time when K-drama enthusiasts constantly prowled the internet, desperately seeking subtitles for their favorite shows? Those days have transformed thanks to apps that reliably deliver subtitled content. Among them, Viu (together with many other streaming services like Netflix and Disney+, of course), which debuted to immense success, is a real game changer. Now, let’s find out why!

Viu: Redefining the Streaming Landscape

In 2015, Viu entered the streaming scene, quickly amassing popularity in 2016. Viu Singapore was launched on 11 January 2016, around the same time Netflix made its entry.

Most Singaporeans learned about it through the enormously popular K-drama, Descendants of the Sun, as it was (then) the only official source to stream it.

The Diverse Content Spectrum on Viu

Besides being a treasure trove for K-dramas, Viu offers a wide variety of shows, movies and more. It’s not just about Korean content;

Viu is expanding to include content from Hong Kong, Thailand, and other regions. Attention, TVB fans – Viu might just be your new go-to!

A Hong Kong Phenomenon Goes Global

Operated by the Hong Kong firm PCCW Media, Viu was launched on 26 October 2015, quickly branching out to Malaysia and India by March 2016. The expansion continued with Viu Indonesia in May and Viu Philippines in November of the same year. Each version of Viu caters to the unique tastes of its specific market, offering tailor-made content.

Viu Secures the Largest Content Deal in Asia

Viu began 2021 with a bang by securing a content deal with Korean cable TV firm JTBC, gaining access to over 80% of their content. This unprecedented deal, according to Rapid TV News, grants Viu access to a significant volume of content from major Korean broadcasters including KBS, MBC, SBS, and CJ E&M. In Southeast Asia, Viu arguably provides the most extensive collection of K-dramas and K-variety shows.

Viu Free vs. Viu Premium: A Detailed Comparison

“So, is Viu app free to use?” you ask. Well, yes and no. Viu does offer free usage with some limitations. With Viu Free, users have to wait for 72 hours after a show’s initial airing in Korea. However, with Viu Premium, from $86.21 a year (or about $7.18 per month), you can enjoy priority viewing just 8 hours after release.

Viu Free allows access to dramas and variety shows, whereas Viu Premium grants an all-access pass to all available content. For those despising ad interruptions, Viu Premium offers limited ads, making your viewing experience smoother. Also, Viu Premium members can relish Full HD resolution and TV connectivity via Chromecast or AirPlay, providing a seamless experience.

Is Viu Safe and Where Is It Available?

Yes, Viu is indeed safe and widely accessible. Currently, it serves Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and various countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

Viu: A Multilingual Haven

Viu adjusts subtitles according to your region. For example, Hong Kong viewers will have Traditional Chinese subtitles, while the Philippines viewers get English and Tagalog subtitles. In Singapore, Viu offers four languages, allowing you to choose between Simple or Traditional Chinese subs.

Dive into K1 Headlines & Trailers on Viu

Viu also hosts K1 Headlines, which includes K1 Features, K1 Entertainment News, and K1 Breaking News. You can watch trailers of upcoming shows and enjoy exclusive content featuring your favorite K-stars.

Download Options: Viu Free vs. Viu Premium

Viu Free users can download one video at a time, while Viu Premium allows unlimited downloads, perfect for non-stop K-drama marathons.

Viu’s Secret Lifestyle Section

Many users aren’t aware of Viu’s lifestyle section. This little-known corner hosts lifestyle videos, often produced by YouTubers, offering a diverse range of entertaining content.