Huawei expands video offering with BBC Studios, SPI/FIlmBox, ZDF and others

Telecom equipment and smartphone giant Huawei has added content from multiple providers including BBC Studios, ZDF, Filmin, SPI/FilmBox and Rakuten TV to its Huawei Video service, which is being expanded to multiple new territories.

Huawei Video is part of the Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) ecosystem and apps, which is being expanded as part of the company’s launch of its new P40 mobile phone series.

Huawei Video has struck a 300-hour multi-territory deal with BBC Studios, which will see shows including Call The Midwife becoming available via its mobile service in 26 countries.

The arrangement will see the hit hospital drama from Neal Street Productions become available to customers using Huawei mobile devices in countries including mainland China, Hong Kong and Asia.

Comedy Inside No 9, scripted series Ghosts and science series Wonders Of The Solar System are also included in the deal, which also covers Western and Central Europe, Russia, the Nordics, the Middle East, South Africa and Latin America.

Paul Dempsey, president of global distribution at BBC Studios, said: “This new agreement gives us the opportunity to create a long-term multi-territory licensing relationship with Huawei Video and we’re delighted to have a significant presence on the platform.”

Huawei is adding SPI/FilmBox’s FilmBox On Demand content to its video service in 23 countries.

FilmBox titles will be distributed on Huawei devices in markets including the UK, Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Poland, Turkey and Russia.

Huawei device users will be able to access curated and localised SPI movie titles. Other VOD content accessible to users through this collaboration include TV series, documentaries, lifestyle programming, adrenaline sports entertainment, esports and mixed-martial arts tournaments.

The move comes as Huawei announced that Huawei Video will now be available to more countries together with its new mobile flagship P40 series phones.

“We are very excited to bring the rich and curated catalogue of FilmBox On Demand to many countries across the globe through Huawei’s new VOD service Huawei Video, available on Huawei mobile devices that offer premium viewing and sound experience,” said Berkin Ecevit, sales and business development director at SPI International.

Other content partners including ZDF, Filmin and Rakuten TV.

“We’re pleased to offer our Huawei Video service so people across Europe can easily explore the thousands of videos and movies available from our partners, anywhere and anytime,” said Jervis Su, VP of mobile services, Huawei Consumer Business Group.