Cathay Launches New Video Streaming Service Which Lets You Borrow Movies Like You’re At NLB

Online streaming services have evolved into a highly competitive industry.

Even with Netflix firmly in the lead, tech giants and entertainment conglomerates like Apple and Disney remain undeterred to pursue their share of the market.

Most recently, Cathay Cineplexes joined the race with a new video streaming service, Cathay CineHome.

Movie Rentals Made Digital

Cathay CineHome was announced in June by Cathay Cineplexes.

It is officially launched today (Sep 11) after much anticipation.

Basically movie rentals gone digital, the service is hosted on a dedicated site.

It features titles that have recently ended their run in the theatres. This allows viewers to engage the service without eclipsing box office sales.

Apart from that, there will also be online or straight-to-video movies.

Borrow Movies Like You Borrow Books From The National Library

Cathay CineHome currently requires no membership fees or monthly subscriptions. A one-time rental entitles consumers to 14 days of unlimited viewing.

Library titles, which tend to be older, cost $5.98. Meanwhile, new titles are at a flat rate of $7.98.

The platform is accessible through digital devices like smartphones, tablets and laptops. Simply download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

It comes embedded with Chromecast and AirPlay capabilities. Viewers can cast videos to smart TVs directly for better viewing experiences.

More Films to be Available

Movies from September that are already available on the site include:

• Ah Boys To Men 3: Frogmen
• Bring Me Home
• Little Q
• Pee Nak 2
• Sheep Without A Shepherd

Cathay CineHome will continue to update its archive, with films like AChoo, Mr Zoo, Impetigore, In My Heart and Unhinged due to be added.

Furthermore, they are offering six complimentary movies this month:

• Love Again
• Little Q
• Midsommar
• Unstoppable
• How to Train Your Dragon
• 4Love

Interested consumers can seize the opportunity to test the platform out for future references.

Growing Local Streaming Scene

The Covid-19 pandemic largely motivated Cathay Cineplexes to expedite the portal’s launch.

In line with the government’s effort to contain the spread of the virus, the cinema closed its doors from March 27 to July 13.

Previously, local streaming services were scarce and limited. The pandemic cumulated sufficient demands for new platforms to emerge.

Prior to Cathay CineHome, some other cinema operators and distributors had launched similar sites. Examples are Shaw Organisation’s Kinolounge and The Projector’s Projector Plus.

In a statement, chief executive Mr Chang Long Jong of mm2 Asia Group, which owns Cathay Cineplexes, said: “Many people have fond memories of movie outings with family and friends at Cathay Cineplexes. Cathay CineHome is continuing that tradition online.”

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