Viacom18 to bring VOD service VOOT to the UK

India’s Viacom18 is due to launch its video-on-demand platform VOOT in the UK in November and is planning 18 original series for the service.

Viacom18 Motion Pictures will produce multi-lingual, multi-genre, web series for VOOT under the Tipping Point Films banner.

VOOT said it also plans to add news to the service’s content offering, starting with a partnership with India’s Network18.

The UK launch will mark Viacom18’s first steps at taking VOOT international, with the company describing the UK market as a “significant reach opportunity”.

“VOOT is integral to our strategy as we gear up for a future-ready Viacom18 that is screen, platform and pipe agnostic,” said Sudhanshu Vats, managing director of Viacom18.

“We are building a digital-first brand to harness Viacom18’s strengths across its brands, creative franchises and businesses in multiple Indian languages.”

Viacom18 Digital Ventures’ head of content, Monika Shergill, added: “At an execution level, we have been extremely lucky to be partnering with a galaxy of very talented and committed actors, writers and directors to bring forth our second bundle of VOOT Originals, starting with 18 multi-genre and multi-lingual series.”

VOOT has a content library of more than 50,000 hours – including Viacom18 network content, VOOT Kids programming and VOOT Originals.

The service currently operates as an ad-supported offering in India and claims to have more than 35 million monthly active users.