Kumu (streaming service)

Kumu is a Filipino video sharing and e-commerce social networking service owned and developed by Kumumedia Technologies, Inc. The social media platform is used to livestream curated programs created by app users and partner brands and as an e-commerce platform for app users and partner brands who want to sell their merchandise online.[1] It was founded in 2017 and launched on Android and iOS devices in February 2018 that caters mainly to the Philippine market and overseas Filipinos.[2] In October 2020, the app topped the download charts of both the Apple App Store and Google Play in the free apps category.[3][4] The app aims to become a "super app" that combines the functionalities of other apps like YouTube, TikTok, Shopee, Instagram and Facebook Messenger into one.[5][6]

Kumu
Developer(s)Kumumedia Technologies, Inc.
Initial releaseFebruary 2018 (2018-02)
Stable release
7.0.6 / 17 December 2020
Operating systemiOS, Android
Size177.4 MB (iOS)
62 MB (Android)
Available inEnglish
TypeSocial networking
Video sharing
E-commerce
LicenseProprietary software with Terms of Use
Websitehttp://www.kumu.ph/

History

Kumu was developed by Roland Ros, Rexy Dorado, Andrew Pineda, and Clare Ros, who are Filipino entrepreneurs based in the United States and have worked in fields of technology and social enterprise.[1][3] It was initially developed as a messaging app with a livestreaming feature targeted toward millennial and Generation Z Filipino users.[6][4][7] The app's name was derived from the Tagalog word "kamusta" (or kumusta), meaning "How are you?", which is a common greeting among Filipinos.[1]

Kumu's livestreaming feature proved to be more popular among its users and the developers eventually shifted their focus on this functionality as well as introducing other features.[6][4] Registered users can also earn through brand sponsorships in their livestreams, similar to revenues that YouTube users can earn from ads on their videos. Kumu content creators can earn at least ₱20,000 (or about US$400) through livestreaming. With over 25,000 livestream broadcasts each day, Kumu has 3 million registered users each clocking an hour of daily average usage.[8]

Aside from user created livestreams, Kumu also livestreams its own curated shows, mainly game shows such as “Game Ka Na Ba” and “Quiz Mo Ko.” It has also partnered with various celebrities and brands to promote products through livestreaming. These include former actor and now Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, journalist Ces Drilon, TV host Boy Abunda, TV executive and actress Charo Santos, Sydney Crespo, Ruby Ibarra, Mica Javier, Apple Chiu, Brent Manalo, as well as Star Magic Philippines, and Cornerstone Entertainment Group.[5]

With the sudden popularity of podcasting amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Kumu added a podcasting feature in February 2020 to attract more users and content creators to use to app. The feature allows audio streamers to accommodate guests and co-hosts in ‘public’ and ‘friends only’ options; as well as ‘mute’, ‘kick’ or ‘block’ listeners.[9][10][11]

In April 2020, Kumu announced that it had secured around $5 million in Series A funding which will be used to develop new features and grow its operations. Openspace Ventures, an early investor in Indonesian unicorn start-up Gojek, along with Kickstart Ventures, ABS-CBN, Gobi-Core Philippine Fund, and returning investors Summit Media and Foxmont Capital Partners all participated in the funding round.[12][13][8]

In October 2020, Kumu also partnered with Philippine media conglomerate ABS-CBN to launch the ninth season of reality TV show Pinoy Big Brother: Connect amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The app hosted online auditions for the reality show, which attracted over 100,000 new users, and it also currently livestreams activities inside the Big Brother House when the show premiered.[14][15]

Features
  • Pinoy Tambayan – An online community powered by artists, educators, and everyday Filipinos, where people from around the world can share their stories through their own livestream channels.
  • Live Pinoy Games – Authentic, positive, inspirational, and fun live games that also give users a chance to win some cash and cool prizes. Partnered with famous brands like Lazada, Grab and many more.
  • Kumunity - An online community of Filipino users where they have the freedom to talk about anything under the sun by posting on their profile or using the messenger functions, as well as share posts and videos to Facebook, Messenger, Whatsapp, Instagram, Twitter and SMS.
  • Live Commerce - The app's e-commerce feature. Kumu has partnered with hundreds of local known brands and Filipino talents to show off products on livestream. The app also offers weekly discount coupons and free delivery all through out the Philippines.
  • Messenger - The app's messaging function. Users can chat with celebrities and users and create group chats.

References
  1. De Mesa, MM (3 September 2018). "This Homegrown App Is All Set to Become a Creative Playground for Pinoys". www.spot.ph. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  2. Owen, Charlene (1 September 2018). "This Free and Feel-Good Streaming App Can Help You Earn Extra Cash". www.femalenetwork.com. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  3. Rodriguez, Mia (20 October 2020). "Local App Tops the Charts on Both Google Play Store and Apple App Store". www.spot.ph. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  4. Pascual, Jam (9 December 2020). "How did Kumu get so huge?". www.rappler.com. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  5. Ichimura, Anri (21 October 2020). "This Filipino App Is Now #1 in the App Store. Here's Everything You Need to Know About Kumu". www.esquiremag.ph. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  6. "How Roland Ros, Founder Of Kumu Raised $6M To Build The #1 Grossing Social App In the Philippines?". www.asiatechdaily.com. 14 July 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  7. Yang, Cathy (7 November 2019). "Pinoy app 'Kumu' grows by tapping Millennial and GenZ need for 'authenticity'". news.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  8. Lewis, Sharon (15 April 2020). "Filipino Live Streaming Startup Kumu Raises US$5M Series A". www.jumpstartmag.com. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  9. "Livestreaming platform Kumu expands into live audio with new podcasting feature". www.bworldonline.com. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  10. "Digital: Filipino Social Media and Livestreaming App Kumu Introduces New Radio/Podcast Feature for Streamers". www.adobomagazine.com. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  11. "'Pinoy Big Brother' opens online auditions on Kumu". www.rappler.com. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  12. Shu, Catherine (14 April 2020). "Filipino live streaming app Kumu raises $5 million Series A led by Openspace Ventures". techcrunch.com. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  13. Neo, Kristie (14 April 2020). "Filipino live streaming app Kumu raises $5 million Series A led by Openspace Ventures". www.dealstreetasia.com. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  14. "'Paano ka ba mapapansin?' Lauren Dyogi shares tips as PBB receives almost 100K online auditions". push.abs-cbn.com. 24 October 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
  15. " "PBB Connect" kick-off trends as Big Brother drops explosive revelations". www.abs-cbn.com. 9 December 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2020.
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