Italian video-on-demand (VOD) provider Chili has launched a local service in Austria.
The online video library available to Austrian internet users currently contains more than 700 movies and 12 series. By the end of 2015, Chili wants to increase the lineup to 3,000 films and 2,000 series episodes including Austrian productions.
In contrast to competitors like Netflix, maxdome, Watchever, Sky Snap and Amazon Prime Instant Video, Chili doesn’t offer a flat-rate subscription covering the whole stock. The titles can instead be accessed individually and rented for 48 hours or bought (download-to-own).
Chili thereby follows a strategy comparable with VOD provider Wuaki.tv which launched in several European markets in 2014 and wants to expand to further 10 European countries this year including Austria.
Chili offers current movies from €3.99 for rent and from €9.99 as a download-to-own proposition. Series are available from €1.99 per episode. The titles are initially provided in SD and HD quality with Ultra HD/4K content to be added in the next months.
The OTT service can be accessed via the open internet, through apps (iOS/Android), Google Chromecast and connected TV sets from Samsung and Toshiba. Apps for connected TV sets from LG, Philips, Panasonic, Sony and HiSense will follow soon as well as an app for Windows Phone. Each account can be used on up to five devices.
Chili launched in Italy in 2012 and currently has around 400,000 customers. This corresponds with a market share of 20%, making Chili the second-largest VOD provider in its home country.
Chili which also launched a local VOD service in Poland on January 15, 2015 wants to roll out its service to the UK and Germany in April or May 2015 as the next international markets as part of its expansion plan announced in November 2014.