I do most of my drama watching via the Viki app on my tablet (Android, Lenovo Yoga 3). I paid the big bucks for Pass Plus as a) I seriously dislike Kocowa’s player, not to mention their search alogrythms, b) I seriously dislike the Cow’s subs, Viki subs are totally worth waiting for, and c) Viki has enough nonCow content that I would still need subscriptions to both in order to watch all my shows, and Pass Plus is cheaper than Pass + Cow.
Well, a few weeks ago, I started getting “The video failed to load, try again later” errors. Sometimes the video would play if I kept refreshing. Usually not. Updated my app; didn’t help. Checked Viki’s Help section, and got the following:
“We’ve recently partnered with Kocowa TV (a collaboration between three main Korean TV networks – KBS, SBS, and MBC) to bring the best drama viewing experience to our community. Shows that are licensed via Kocowa are served by the video platform company, Kaltura.
At times, Kaltura might have issues that result in shows being unable to load. We’re unable to take any further action on this unless fixed by Kaltura.”
Which seemed to be what was happening, as upon exploration I discovered that only Cow shows were Failing to Load. But the weird thing? I can play videos from the Kocowa app (I do have the free account there). I can play the videos from the Viki website (on both tablet and laptop). I can play the videos from the Viki app on my phone. I updated Android on my tablet to see if that would help. It wiped my tablet, but the videos still won’t play.
Am extremely frustrated and grumpy about this. It’s been weeks! I do have work arounds, but they are annoying and inconvenient. So I’ve been watching nonCow shows and catching up on Netflix shows. But, dang it, I paid to be able to watch My Fellow Citizens, and I darn well want to watch it! Through my Viki app on my tablet! Which I bought specifically to watch dramas on! grump grump grump
I have not. That’s a great idea. With the not-our-fault bit from the Help FAQs, I didn’t follow up. But they should take responsibility since they took my money, dang it.
Kocowa takes most of the money actually. I wish they come out with a subscription that excludes Kocowa content already. I’m only interested in the tvN and Jtbc dramas anyway.
When I joined, the regular pass didn’t include some premium non-Kocowa content. Did that they changed it? But I paid annually so I’m stuck for few more months.
Amilia
May 4, 2019 at 9:50 AM
Warning: this post is going to be whiny.
I do most of my drama watching via the Viki app on my tablet (Android, Lenovo Yoga 3). I paid the big bucks for Pass Plus as a) I seriously dislike Kocowa’s player, not to mention their search alogrythms, b) I seriously dislike the Cow’s subs, Viki subs are totally worth waiting for, and c) Viki has enough nonCow content that I would still need subscriptions to both in order to watch all my shows, and Pass Plus is cheaper than Pass + Cow.
Well, a few weeks ago, I started getting “The video failed to load, try again later” errors. Sometimes the video would play if I kept refreshing. Usually not. Updated my app; didn’t help. Checked Viki’s Help section, and got the following:
“We’ve recently partnered with Kocowa TV (a collaboration between three main Korean TV networks – KBS, SBS, and MBC) to bring the best drama viewing experience to our community. Shows that are licensed via Kocowa are served by the video platform company, Kaltura.
At times, Kaltura might have issues that result in shows being unable to load. We’re unable to take any further action on this unless fixed by Kaltura.”
Which seemed to be what was happening, as upon exploration I discovered that only Cow shows were Failing to Load. But the weird thing? I can play videos from the Kocowa app (I do have the free account there). I can play the videos from the Viki website (on both tablet and laptop). I can play the videos from the Viki app on my phone. I updated Android on my tablet to see if that would help. It wiped my tablet, but the videos still won’t play.
Am extremely frustrated and grumpy about this. It’s been weeks! I do have work arounds, but they are annoying and inconvenient. So I’ve been watching nonCow shows and catching up on Netflix shows. But, dang it, I paid to be able to watch My Fellow Citizens, and I darn well want to watch it! Through my Viki app on my tablet! Which I bought specifically to watch dramas on! grump grump grump
mugyuljoie is preciousss
May 4, 2019 at 10:03 AM
Viki’s customer service has been greatly lacking. Have you tried complaining to them on Twitter?
Amilia
May 4, 2019 at 10:12 AM
I have not. That’s a great idea. With the not-our-fault bit from the Help FAQs, I didn’t follow up. But they should take responsibility since they took my money, dang it.
sph_7
May 4, 2019 at 10:35 AM
Kocowa takes most of the money actually. I wish they come out with a subscription that excludes Kocowa content already. I’m only interested in the tvN and Jtbc dramas anyway.
Amilia
May 4, 2019 at 10:49 AM
Doesn’t the regular Pass exclude Kocowa? That was my understanding, but I could be wrong as that’s not the tier I have.
sph_7
May 4, 2019 at 11:28 AM
When I joined, the regular pass didn’t include some premium non-Kocowa content. Did that they changed it? But I paid annually so I’m stuck for few more months.
thatstp
May 4, 2019 at 4:00 PM
I have Viki Pass and it gets everything BUT Kocowa.