Press Release
SOUTH AFRICA’S ONLINE STREAMING ENTERTAINMENT HUB VIDI LAUNCHES
Binge-watch marathon sessions of your favourite TV series and movies on demand
- it’s easy to access and affordable
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South Africa’s easy-to-access online streaming entertainment hub VIDI, which allows viewers to watch their favourite TV series and movies as and when they want
, was unveiled today.
VIDI is the first South African streaming service to offer both a monthly subscription option and/or an instant rental option across one platform. There is no programme scheduling but rather instant access to thousands of hours of entertainment.
Available across multi devices, viewers have two options:
Unlimited Subscription to a library of movies and award-winning TV series for only R149 per month. Sign up is easy with the first month on subscription offered as a trial period.
Viewers don’t require a dish or a decoder and they can cancel their subscription anytime as there are no contracts. Viewers also have the option to
Instantly Rent the latest releases just off the circuit for R27 and a selection of premier library titles from as little as R15.
The brainchild of Times Media Group, VIDI is set to become
the premier media streaming service in South Africa, offering an affordable and instant entertainment library, catering for all ages and tastes.
Viewers can watch VIDI content on multiple devices that can stream content, including PC, Mac, Laptop, Apple and Android Tablets and Smartphones. VIDI is not only an advert- free and schedule-free platform, but is also adaptive to internet speeds and can work from slow or fast internet connections.
Andrew Bonamour, CEO for TMG, says: “VIDI represents a significant step in Times Media’s evolution to a multi-platform media and entertainment company. It reflects a new entrepreneurial and innovative mindset for the group that we believe will bring long term growth and sustainability.”
“It builds on the recent diversification of the company into a range of high growth broadcast and content assets in South Africa and in West and East Africa.”
The R149 a month subscription offer allows for unlimited viewing of a library of more than 1000 hours of television series and over 100 movies and is constantly growing. VIDI also has a
Kids Playzone, with a large selection of children's content from TV series to the latest movie releases.
The Instant Rental Service offers a mix of 72 of the latest blockbusters just off the cinema circuit as well as select library titles, with new titles being added every month, ranging from R15 - R27 a title.
Adds Andrew Gill, MD of Broadcast and Content at TMG, ”We have secured some of the very best available content from the biggest names in the industry. We will be constantly refreshing our offering with new and exciting films and series”
Highlights include all seasons of this year’s top Emmy-winner
Breaking Bad, an ABC branded block including popular titles such as
Greys Anatomy, Cougar Town, Brothers and Sisters and
Missing, as well as the all-seasons 10
th Anniversary special of
Lost, which premiered in the US 10 years ago this September. VIDI will also be celebrating the 20
th Anniversary of the classic,
Friends in November.
Other TV titles include the popular and most viewed online series
Supernatural and the teen drama mystery-thriller
Pretty Little Liars. Movie fare over the following months includes the Oscar-winning drama’s
Twelve Years a Slave and
American Hustle, the highly acclaimed
Gravity, blockbusters
Divergent and
Need For Speed and the recent
Maleficent and
The Lego Movie.
To celebrate its arrival, VIDI is offering a 30-day trial membership so that South Africans can experience just what it has to offer and just how easy, affordable and accessible it is.
Your Movies. Your TV Shows. Your Way.
How to become part of VIDI?
Go to
www.vidi.co.za to register. You will need a credit card to sign up. (Certain current account/debit cards are accepted, depending on your bank.) Once you have signed up, watch instantly on your PC, Mac, Laptop, Apple and Android Tablets and Smartphones. You can also connect your device to your television via a HDMI cable for immediate big screen entertainment. “How to Guides” are available on the website to help with this process. All you need is to be connected to the internet (a minimum of a 1MB speed is required, but the higher your speed, the better the experience).
FAQs
What is VIDI?
VIDI is an affordable and easy-to-access online streaming entertainment hub created for South Africans. Available across multiple devices, viewers have two options: An
Unlimited Subscription to a library of movies and award-winning TV series for only R149 per month and/or to
Instantly Rent a combination of the latest releases just off the theatrical circuit for R27 and a selection of premier library titles from as little as R15.
Sign up for Unlimited Subscription is easy with the first month offered as a trial period. You don’t require a dish or a decoder and you can cancel your subscription anytime as there are no contracts.
Why is VIDI unique in the SA entertainment marketplace?
It is the first South African streaming service to offer a monthly subscription option and/or an instant rental option across one platform. You can binge-watch marathon sessions of your favourite TV series as and when YOU want. There’s no scheduling but rather instant access to thousands of hours of entertainment when you want, how you want.
How do you access VIDI?
Go to
www.vidi.co.za to register. Once you have signed up, watch instantly on your PC, Mac, Laptop, and Android Tablets and Smartphones via the app. The IOS App is launching soon for Apple Tablets and Smartphones.
You can also connect your device to your television via a HDMI cable for immediate big screen entertainment. “How to Guides” are available on the website to help with this process. All you need is to be connected to the internet (a minimum of 1MB speed is required but the higher the speed the better the experience).
What are the various offerings on VIDI?
There’s an
Unlimited Subscription option for R149 per month giving you access to a growing catalogue of the choicest TV series and more than 100 premium library movie titles and/or an
Instant Rental option including a combination of the latest releases just off the theatrical circuit for R27 and a selection of premier library titles from as little as R15.
Is it true that VIDI offers a 30-day trial period?
Yes, the 30 day trial is a way to experience all that the R149 monthly subscription service has to offer.
How do you pay for VIDI?
The service currently accepts credit cards and certain current accounts/debit cards may be accepted depending on your bank. Other payment options will be available shortly.
How long will it take to access a film or TV series?
Good news is that it is easy and simple and you don’t actually download anything. You will just be streaming the film or TV series you have chosen to view immediately. Connection is instant; picture quality will adjust within seconds according to your available bandwidth and your device.
How long does it remain available for viewing?
The Unlimited Subscription period is 30 days and all TV series and movies can be started, stopped and viewed as many times as it suits you over the full 30 day period, as long as you have a valid subscription and are within the content license period.
Once you have purchased an Instant Rental movie, you have 30 days to watch the title but once you begin watching, it will expire after48 hours. You can watch the title as many times as you want within this 48-hour period.
Can I pause it and come back to it at a later stage?
Yes, absolutely. VIDI automatically creates your own watch list so you can go back and watch right from where you left off, as long as the title is still within its licences window.
What happens if there is load shedding and/or my laptop/tablet/device runs out of battery while I am watching a movie or TV series?
If you have an Unlimited Subscription, the series or movie you are watching will be saved so you can automatically pick up from where you left off once you have connected to a power source. You will not have to redo your rental and will not lose your place.
On Instant Rental, the 48 hour period commences from the “push play”, if you don’t connect back and watch during that period, the rental will expire and will be deemed as a purchase.
How many Movies and TV Series are in the VIDI library?
Unlimited Subscription: More than 1000 hours of television series and over 100 movies... and constantly growing!
Instant Rental: A mix of 72 of the latest releases just off the cinema circuit and select library titles.
What do you need for VIDI?
You will need a modern internet browser – Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 or later, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Mozilla Firefox Version 2 or later, Microsoft Silverlight Player Plug-in. The Microsoft Silverlight player is used to stream your TV Series and Movies. This player protects you and studios content. Our
VIDI Set-Up Wizard will help you with this process.
Do you have content for children?
Yes, VIDI has a large and growing selection of children's content from TV series to the latest movie releases for youngsters. There’s a special
Kids' Playzone just for their viewing pleasure.
Is there any sport on VIDI?
Not yet.
Will we ever see content that has not been shown on SA screens – big or small?
Yes, VIDI has plans for some exciting new content in the coming months.
Can I watch trailers and/or learn more about a show before watching it?
Trailers are available for most titles and an account is not required to view them. At
www.vidi.co.za you can scroll through our content offering, watch trailers, view an explainer video and, in three easy steps, be connected to a world of the hottest TV series and latest movies.
Can I create my own library?
Yes, you are able to create your own watch list of all the titles you wish to view. These are kept on the home page in your own carousel for quick and easy access.
What about parental control?
VIDI has an easy-to-use parental control system which can be set on registration and which is password protected. Only content of the age limit that has been selected can be viewed.
Can I watch VIDI on my TV set?
Yes, currently all you need is an HDMI cable which you use to connect your personal computer to your TV. You select the film or series you want to watch on your device and it plays directly from your TV. We have “How to Guides” on
www.vidi.co.za to help you set up your connected television.
What are internet speed requirements for VIDI?
You need a connection that is 1Mbps or more, although higher speeds yield best results. You can test your internet connection by doing our speed test at
www.vidi.co.za or visit
www.speedtest.net.
Where is VIDI available?
VIDI is available in South Africa only.
What devices can I use to stream VIDI?
PC, Mac, Laptop, and Android Tablets and Smartphones via the app. The IOS App is launching soon for Apple Tablets and Smartphones. You can also connect your device to your television via a HDMI cable for immediate big screen entertainment.
How does VIDI charge my account?
VIDI is a monthly opt out service. If you enjoy your VIDI trial, do nothing at the end of your trial and your membership will automatically continue for as long as you choose to remain a member. VIDI membership is a month-to-month subscription which begins at sign-up. You can easily cancel anytime, online, 24 hours a day. There are no long-term contracts or cancellation fees. Just sign up to get started. Opt out is easy on
www.vidi.co.za
How do I watch VIDI on my computer?
To begin watching movies and TV Series on your PC or Mac:
1. Open an internet browser and go to
www.vidi.co.za
2. Sign up or Sign Into your VIDI account
3. Select a title to Watch.
If you do not already have Microsoft Silverlight plug-in installed, you will be prompted to download and install the free plug-in for your web browser. Just follow the instructions to get started. For detailed installation instructions and system requirements, see the Complete System Requirements for Silverlight page.
How do I connect my Android device?
Simply follow the steps below to connect your Android mobile device or tablet to your VIDI account. Note: The steps may vary slightly, depending if the device was customised by you or the device manufacturer. VIDI is compatible with Android devices running Android version 2.2 or later. If you have any trouble with the steps below, visit your Android device manufacturer's website.
1. Register on
www.vidi.co.za
2. Tap the Play Store application.
3. Tap the magnifying glass in the upper right corner.
4. Search for VIDI.
5. Tap the VIDI application in the list.
6. Tap Free and then OK.
7. The installation is complete when the notification bar at the top of the screen displays "Successfully Installed VIDI."
8. Exit the Market.
9. Find and launch the VIDI application.
10. Enter your VIDI email and password and continue. You are now connected!
How do I connect Apple mobile device?
Simply follow the steps below to connect your Apple iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch to your VIDI account. Note: The current version of the VIDI app requires iOS version 6.0 or later.
1. Register on
www.vidi.co.za
2. Tap App Store.
3. Type VIDI in the Search bar.
4. Tap Search.
5. Tap the VIDI, Inc. search result.
6. Tap Install.
7. Tap VIDI icon on the Home screen.
8. Enter an email and password.
9. Tap Sign In.
How do you connect a PC or Mac to my TV?
The cable you’ll use to connect a PC or Mac to a larger display will depend on the display output on your computer. Many newer PCs and Macs have an HDMI port, so a regular HDMI cable will be sufficient. For PCs with a DVI video output you can use a DVI -to- HDMI adaptor cable, However this won’t bring audio to your TV, You’ll have to either listen through your PCs speakers (or headphones) or run a cable from headphone jack on the PC to an audio input on you TV.
