HOOQ—the largest Video On Demand service in South East Asia premiered its first foray into Hollywood Originals with Crackle’s The Oath with all 10 episodes Thursday last week in the US and Friday in the Philippines.
Chief Content Officer of HOOQ, Jennifer Batty said, “This marks a truly significant milestone for HOOQ Originals. While we continue to blaze a trail for homegrown Asian content and talent, we are now proud to strengthen our offering and bring in the best original content that Hollywood has to offer. With established producers of gritty visual stories like Joe Halpin and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson on the team and not to mention hard hitters like Ryan Kwanten and Sean Bean, we’re confident that we’ve got a winner here. I can’t wait for you all to see it!”
Set in Los Angeles, this hard-hitting crime drama dives deep into a world of gangs made up of those sworn to protect and defend. The Oath chooses to tread where most cop dramas don’t, shedding light on corruption and “police gang” culture by examining secret societies that are nearly impossible to join. Only a select few make the cut but, once inside, members will do what they must to protect each other from enemies not only on the outside but also from within.
Created by Joe Halpin (Hawaii Five-O, Secrets and Lies), the characters and relationships in The Oath are informed by his first-hand experience working as a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy in South Central for 18 years, 12 of which was as an undercover officer.
Chief Executive Officer of HOOQ, Peter Bithos said, “At HOOQ, we have always dedicated ourselves to bringing our subscribers the best that Asia and Hollywood have to offer. With The Oath now joining our family of HOOQ Originals, we’re proud to continue bringing the kind of stories that our customers love and continue to expect from us. This is the first of many to come.”
The Oath stars Ryan Kwanten (True Blood), Cory Hardrict (American Sniper, Gran Torino), Katrina Law (Training Day), Arlen Escarpeta (The Magicians), J.J Soria (Animal Kingdom, The Fosters), and Game Of Thrones alum, Sean Bean.
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson (Power) and his G-Unit Film & Television Inc., Todd Hoffman and Dennis Kim of Storied Media Group, Anne Clements (StartUp) and Halpin are the producers. The series is directed by Jeff T. Thomas (Blindspot, Wayward Pines) and Luis Prieto (Kidnap, StartUp). The Oath is distributed by Sony Pictures Television.
Content and Programming Head of HOOQ PH Jeffrey Remigio said, “The Oath and other Hollywood Originals in the future simply widens the scope of choices for our users. But we continue to boost our catalogue with new titles, especially our local content.”
Sheila Paul, HOOD Country Manager, is happy that in the TV-on-demand sector, HOOQ “thus far, is still the leader. While there are no survey data to support my claim, our number of subscribers and users (which she can’t disclose, too) attests to our popularity.”
She added, “There is truly something for everybody this March on HOOQ’s TVOD service.” Patricia Paredeselucidated further, “Lovers of animated films can enjoy Pixar’s Coco and comic book fans can rejoice as HOOQ brings you the absolute best that the Marvel and DC Cinematic Universe has to offer with Thor: Ragnarok and Justice League. Those looking to make a trip to a galaxy far, far away can eagerly await the arrival of Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi and, finally, for the nostalgic lovers of 90s cinema, the highly successful Jumanj: Welcome To The Jungle would be a winning choice.”
Sheila Paul furthered, “It will be a very exciting month for movie buffs at HOOQ! We are very excited to bring these movies fresh from the cinema that the whole family will enjoy. They’re perfect viewing on road trips this summer and when you’re just chilling at home.”
It’s easy to get HOOQ’d. Customers can simply download the HOOQ app from Apple Store or Google Play, sign up or log in, to access HOOQ’s extensive library of Hollywood and Asian hits. Globe customers can get to try HOOQ for up to 90 days on selected mobile and broadband plans. Find out more and sign up today for a complimentary trial at www.hooq.tv.
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Once controversial beauty titlist Mariel de Leon is now ready for her close up.
Last week, accompanied by her mom, actor Sandy Andolong, at a coffee shop in Quezon City, Mariel signed a management contract with LVD Management. Leo V. Dominguez, head of the management group, was there, of course.
Mariel said, while waiting for the contract signing, “My beauty queen days are over. I have to start a new chapter in my life.”
She added that logically, after her experience before the cameras in Ang Panday with Coco Martin for the Metro Manila Film Festival, she decided she wants to be an actor, like her mom and father Christopher de Leon.
“No, I wasn’t forced by either of them,” she clarified. “I found the experience enjoyable, so I told myself, ‘Why shouldn’t I try it full time.’ There’s nothing wrong with that, right. And I hope the movie audience would accept me like they did with dad and mom.”
“Acting is less stressful,” she admitted, “than preparing for a beauty contest. That I learned when I was doing Ang Panday.”
Mariel also admitted she got stressed at the time she was bashed by netizens when she posted on Instagram her thoughts on certain issues. In other words she got trolled, although it even made her even more determined to stand by what she believes in and not be alarmed by critics.
“Of course, na-stress ako do’n kasi parang it was my first time to be exposed to that life, kasi growing up, sheltered child ako, so parang after Binibini, tapos biglang the world opened up or something.
“Pero ngayon, okay na ako. Kasi I realized na lahat naman may mga basher, kahit ’yung non-
showbiz, meron din. You can never please anyone. So parang just live your life and do what you want.
“But I’ll still express that this time, I’ll be more careful with my words, but it won’t
stop me from being myself,” she said.
Mariel is one of the stars of Latay produced by BG Productions and directed by Ralston Jover with Lovi Poeand Allen Dizon.
She also wishes she could be in a teleserye, if given the chance, but firstly, she’d like a guest appearance in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.
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SKY subscribers now have new reasons to stay glued on TV as it adds new channels across the sports, news, and lifestyle genres to its line-up including LIGA, Fight Sports HD, EDGEsport HD, TLC HD, and Euronews.
Select SKYcable and SKYdirect subscribers will get access to three new sports channels including Liga, which airs the ASEAN Basketball League, and the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, among others.
Other channels include Fight Sports HD, a 24/7 live sports network that airs epic boxing bouts on “MEGA Fights;” and EDGEsport HD, the home of the Festival International Des Sports Extremes (FISE) World Series, which brings together top athletes in the most popular action sports such as skateboarding, BMX, mountain biking, wakeboarding and inline skating among others.
Meanwhile, the popular lifestyle channel TLC HD that houses hit shows like Cake Boss, Say Yes to the Dress,and The Kings is in the lineup of select plans, as well as worldwide news channel, Euronews, that offers a comprehensive perspective on current events by putting to light diverse viewpoints on issues.
Fight Sports HD, EDGEsport HD, TLC HD and Euronews are available in selected plans to SKYcable subscribers in Metro Manila.
Meanwhile, Liga is available nationwide in standard and high definition in selected SKYcable plans, in One SKY Premium and Lite plans, and all SKY direct plans.
For more details, visit mysky.com.ph.