KUALA LUMPUR – Qalbox, the new global subscription video on demand (SVOD) officially launched on Thursday. Bitsmedia, who is behind the streaming service, is the developer of the world’s leading Muslim lifestyle mobile app Muslim Pro.
Available within the Muslim Pro app, Qalbox hosts a wide-ranging library of content, it said in a statement.
Qalbox celebrates global Muslim identities and cultures, creating a global platform for Muslim-focused titles.
The app showcases diverse representations and nuances of Muslims worldwide spanning from the Americas and Europe to the Middle East and Asia.
As a key consumer market, Bitsmedia is expanding its presence here through a strategic investment from Bintang Capital Partners and Penjana Kapital.
The investment is part of Bitsmedia’s growth capital fundraising round to support the roll out of Qalbox to a global audience. It also aims to speed up Qalbox’s content offering expansion pipeline. As part of the launch, Qalbox has signed content partnerships with local content distributors like Astro, Pixel Play, and Nads Media.
A celebration of Muslim culture
In Southeast Asia, there’s a growing appetite for over-the-top content (OTT) consumption. At least a third of the region’s population is now streaming content.
The study found that younger audiences are driving the shift across the region, with 44% of viewership coming from Millennials and Gen Zers, aged 16 to 34.
But, there is a massive gap for faith-based content suitable for tech-savvy, Muslim audiences.
Amongst Muslim Pro users, a survey found that 7 in 10 respondents struggled with having to tap into multiple sources and platforms when seeking viewer-appropriate and relevant content. Indeed, only 1% of TV characters are Muslim, despite representing a quarter of the global population.
Qalbox’s wide-ranging catalogue hopes to address this by shining a spotlight on Muslim identities and culture. The SVOD service also aims to support Muslim content creators and creatives to share their voices and stories on the platform.
Local viewers will have access to a wide variety of Muslim-friendly content from around the world.
These include stand-up comedy Maz Jobrani: Pandemic Warrior (Highpoint Productions), television series Little Mosque on the Prairie (Westwind Pictures), Emmy-nominated children’s animation series Burka Avenger (Unicorn Black Studios) as well as Quranic recitations and supplications (du’a).
Beyond globally acquired content, Qalbox will also be producing its own original content. First in its slate of original content is I am Muslim series which premieres at Qalbox’s official launch in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The short docu-series takes an intimate look at the lives of a select group of Muslim individuals from around the world with fascinating stories and intriguing lives.
Nik Emir Din, co-CEO of Bitsmedia, said, “As the world’s leading Muslim lifestyle mobile app, we’ve seen how Muslim consumers are widely under-served, and we hope to close this gap with Qalbox.
"Our varied content not only represents the diverse Muslim community, it also entertains users with a variety of global titles."
“Muslim representation in media is important, and so is empowering Muslim storytellers with a platform to tell their own stories. Given our global user base, we’re thrilled to be able to help shine a light on locally produced Malaysian shows with audiences all over the world.”
Johan Rozali-Wathooth, founder of Bintang Capital Partners, said, “The launch of Qalbox marks a major revolutionary step in Bitsmedia’s journey since Bintang made our inaugural investment in the company five years ago.
"We believe that through Qalbox, we can potentially create massive social impact by streaming content that educates and inspires Muslim communities.
"It also represents an unparalleled opportunity for us to showcase the diversity and variety of Muslim culture and lifestyles to a truly global audience. And we hope that by doing so, we can bring these communities closer together.”
Qalbox can be accessed through the Muslim Pro app with a 2-in-1 subscription, giving Muslim Pro users two offerings within a single mobile app.
Besides enjoying Muslim Pro app ad-free and being able to unlock their favourite Quran reciters, users will also have access to hundreds of hours of Qalbox’s films, documentaries, kids’ programmes and more.
In celebration of its launch here, Malaysian users can get Qalbox at a promotional price of RM4.90/month or an annual subscription plan of RM 49.90/year for a limited time only.
Qalbox is available for viewing on mobile, web app, tablets and Smart TV Chromecasting. – The Vibes, December 3, 2022
