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| (Image Source: pikapika.ph/Viva Communications Inc.) |
In just two years since its launch amidst the threat of the global COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, Viva Communications Inc.'s online video on-demand streaming service Vivamax has managed to hit boast more than six million subscribers nationwide and across different parts of the globe and eventually become a new home for the local adult entertainment industry that launched the careers of AJ Raval, Angela Khang, Christine Bermas, Ayanna Misola, Sean De Guzman, and Franki Russell among others. As 2023 rolls in, "the coolest and edgiest online entertainment platform" has recently launched a new service that would provide subscribers access to a wide range of local and foreign series and movies, entertainment programs, and other content suitable for general audiences.
Available within the Vivamax app with a monthly subscription fee of Php49 (Php99 without ads), Viva Prime is poised to be the most essential streaming service for all audiences with fresh content comprising of local movies and TV shows, Hollywood and Asian blockbusters, variety programs, documentaries, concerts, live streams and more. It is also slated to be more than just a breeding and evolving ground for emerging artists as what is available on Vivamax can also be seen on Viva Prime while Vivamax stars may cross over towards the new platform through freshly-baked but edgier and 'advertiser-friendly' content for general audiences. This is according to Viva Communications chairman Vic Del Rosario Jr., president and chief executive officer Vincent del Rosario, senior vice president for content creation and development Valerie del Rosario, chief operating officer Ronan de Guzman and chief marketing and creative officer Paul Alexei Basinillo during a press conference held last January 19, 2023 at La Reve Pool and Events Venue in Quezon City.
Prior to the official launch of Viva Prime, Viva Communications forged a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to not only promote responsible viewership, but also to clarify public perception about Vivamax having more adult entertainment content and work on various programs and activities that would benefit the protection of the viewing public. In a media statement, the MTRCB said that Viva has committed to “practicing responsible self-regulation by ensuring sufficient age-rating advisory on its video-on-demand (VOD) content, as well as continuing its parental control feature for subscribers within its web applications.” MTRCB also said that it was committed to collaborate with Viva, Inc. to “help calibrate the latter’s rating classification for its films, advertising, and marketing materials.” The MTRCB is the national agency mandated to supervise and regulate the public exhibition of films, TV shows and publicity materials, although it has previously sought expansion of its jurisdiction to include content on streaming services. “The partnership that is forged through this MOA is rooted in our shared concern for the Filipino viewing public. As it has done in the past, the Board allows the industry to thrive through the practice of responsible self-regulation while ensuring that each Filipino household shall have access to a safe and comfortable viewing experience. My sincere thanks to Vivamax, Inc. president Vincent del Rosario and his team for making history as the first Filipino-owned and operated VOD to partner with MTRCB to promote Responsableng Panonood,” said MTRCB chairperson Lala Sotto-Antonio.
Vivamax and Viva Prime are set to deliver fresh and new content catered to their respective audiences with a formidable block comprising of one movie every Friday and one solid weekly series every Sunday that could become a weekly habit for even those new to the service. While Vivamax continues to deliver its own class of edgier and bolder content for adult audiences, Viva Prime is out to become a catalyst of responsible viewership with the likes of The Wall Philippines, Rolling In It Philippines, Mga Kwentong Epik, Puto, Encounter, Maid In Malacañang and the upcoming original series The Rain In España starring Marco Gallo and Heaven Peralejo.
