The over-the-top (OTT) Internet service launched in January 2015 in the Philippines and is now expanding across southeast Asia, with services expected in Indonesia and Thailand later this year.

The content will provide premium Hollywood films and TV series – including Friends, Gossip Girl and the Harry Potter series – as well as local language content.

"Today, across developing markets, there is limited access to quality entertainment, streamed directly to the screen of one's choice," said Peter Bithos, CEO of Hooq. "It's either illegal, high cost or difficult to get."

US SVOD giants such as Netflix and Hulu have yet to enter the Indian market, and many existing OTT services such as Hotstar, BoxTV and Big Flix have limited English language content.

Hooq is powered by Quickplay's managed video platform, and will be available to subscribers using iOS or Android-based devices.