When video-on-demand (VOD) services were first introduced in the early 90s, no one foresaw the extent to which it would change the landscape of television entertainment. Today, boosted by new technology and high-speed Internet, VOD services have increasingly become the world’s preferred method to consume their movie and television content.
VOD is essentially a form of subscription service that lets you watch your preferred content at the convenience of your schedule. In other words, you can now catch up with your favourite movies or television series whenever you like and wherever you are, as long as you have a good internet connection. Some of the better-known VOD services within the Cambodian market include Soyo, JaiKon TV, iflix, and Netflix.
Soyo
Soyo, which was launched in mid-July 2017, is Cambodia’s first online VOD platform. It offers a diverse range of local and international movies and TV shows that are specifically curated, dubbed, and subtitled in Khmer for the Cambodian audience. While there are selected shows that can be accessed for free, you will have to pay a subscription fee to unlock the rest of Soyo’s content. You can opt for a daily, weekly, or monthly subscription, priced at $0.19, $0.99, and $2.99 respectively. Payment can made through Sabay Coin, Cellcard, Smart, Metfone, ACLEDA, Pay & Go, and Wing.
JaiKon TV
Conversely, JaiKon TV, another local VOD service, appears to be more focused in its proffered content, partnering with major production companies from neighbouring Asian countries. This allows it to showcase a variety of authorised works from its partner studios, including GDH (Thailand), Primeworks and Kid Smith (Malaysia), Mediacorp (Singapore), TVB (Hong Kong), Sanlih (Taiwan), and iMBC (Korea). Like Soyo, JaiKon TV also subtitles and dubs most of the content into Khmer. Subscription is affordably priced at $2.99 per month.
iflix
The two local platforms are also joined by iflix, a Malaysian-based VOD service that has signed an exclusive partnership with local telco operator, Smart Axiata. iflix offers access to a wider selection of entertainment from across the globe, including Hollywood, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, China, and Thailand. Its content is not limited only to TV shows, movies, and local originals; one of iflix’s major selling points is its offering of premium live sports, which appeals greatly to football fans in particular. Smart subscribers get to enjoy a three-month free trial, after which they will have to pay a fee of $3 per month. General subscribers, on the other hand, get a one-month free trial.
Netflix
Lastly, Netflix, a United States video on demand company, brings a truly international selection of award-winning series, movies, documentaries, and stand-up specials to Cambodia. The standard subscription, which costs $9.99, lets you watch your favourite shows in high definition (HD) quality. If you prefer your movies in Ultra HD, however, just top up another $2.00 for the unlimited subscription. Both plans give you access to unlimited entertainment, and you are entitled to a free trial for one month. Netflix also lets you cancel your subscription anytime.
Ultimately, Cambodia is not short of VOD services that offer quality content, with an excellent array of local and international shows. Price-wise, the subscription fees are relatively affordable as well, making VOD services financially accessible to most Cambodians. You can download all four VOD apps from Google Play and the Apple App Store:
Soyo
Netflix
iFlix
JaiKon TV
