The latest Tamil content is just a click away.
Comprising nearly a quarter of Sri Lanka's population in addition to the 60+ million people living in their home state of Tamil Nadu in South India, Tamilians possess one of the oldest and largest ethno-linguistic cultures in the world. With a rich history dating back to the time of Ancient Rome, Tamil culture carries a distinctive identity quite unlike any other the world has to offer. Central to this identity is the vibrant Tamil film industry, known as Kollywood. The "K" comes from the neighbourhood of Kodambakkam where the industry is based. For decades, the only way to experience the magic of Kollywood has been to pack your bags and fly there, but thanks to Lebara Play (that's Lebara, the mobile carrier), now you have a far simpler option.
Featuring the latest Tamil TV shows and movies, Lebara Play is a streaming service unlike any other. Forget Game of Thrones and Rogue One; on Lebara Play you'll find the likes of Mo, a horror-comedy about con artists whose fake exorcisms inadvertently summon real ghosts, and Jallikattu, a documentary on Tamil Nadu's traditional sport of bull taming. For both expats and anyone interested in expanding their cultural awareness, Lebara Play is the go-to destination for Tamil movies and TV in Australia.
How does Tamil TV work on Lebara Play?
Unlike other streaming services such as Netflix, Lebara Play doesn't offer entire TV shows on-demand. Instead, it operates much the same as ABC iView, streaming 40+ channels of live content you can tune into just like you would regular TV. Don't fret if you forget the broadcast schedule and miss your favourite show, though; Lebara Play keeps the latest episodes of all its shows available for seven days after they have been broadcast, giving you a chance to catch up on anything you missed.
How much does Lebara Play cost?
Lebara Play operates on a subscription model similar to other streaming services like Foxtel Now. Two packages are available: Tamil Movies, and Tamil TV + Movies. As the names suggest, Tamil Movies includes access to Lebara Play's entire movie catalogue, while the Tamil TV + Movies package adds in 40+ TV channels along with the 7-day catch-up functionality.
On a pay-as-you-go basis, the Tamil Movies package will set you back $7.90 a month. The Tamil TV + Movies package costs $16.90 a month, but if you subscribe for a full year, the price drops to $169, effectively giving you two months for free. Both packages also offer a 15-day free trial, ideal for those uncertain whether the service is right for them. On the flip side, if you want to go all-in on Tamil video, $199 will get you 12 months of Tamil TV + Movies along with a Lebara set-top box for watching Lebara Play content on your TV.
What devices are compatible with Lebara Play?
Lebara Play supports most mobile devices, computers, and streaming setups, along with its own dedicated set-top box.
For Android users on phones and tablets, the Lebara Play app provides on-the-go access to the Lebara movie library as well as the full range of Tamil TV channels. The latest version of the app requires Android 4.0.3 and up.
Apple users can enjoy the same freedom with the iOS version of the Lebara Play app as long as they're running iOS 7.0 or higher.
On the PC front, the Lebara Play web video player is compatible with all three major operating systems: Windows (Windows 8 or newer), Mac and Linux. To start watching, you'll need the latest version of either Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari or Internet Explorer along with an up-to-date installation of Adobe Flash.
If you want to watch Lebara Play content on your TV, you have a couple of different options. For Google Chromecast owners, you can stream the Lebara Play library to your TV through Google Chrome or your Android device. On iOS, the Lebara Play app supports AirPlay to compatible Apple TV boxes.
For the keenest Tamil TV watchers, Lebara's set-top box offers direct access to all Lebara Play content over your broadband Internet connection. Plugging into your TV through HDMI, the box supports both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections, making it a simple task to hook up and start watching.
How many devices can I register with Lebara Play?
Lebara Play lets you register as many devices as you want to your account. Provided you're in a country where Lebara Play is available, you can watch its entire library wherever you go, on however many devices you choose. You can even pause a movie on one device and resume it on another, continuing from where you left off without interruption.
The one caveat to Lebara Play's multi-device support is that only two devices can be streaming video simultaneously and only one of those can be a Lebara set-top box.
How much data does Lebara Play use?
Lebara does not provide specific information on the amount of data its streaming algorithms use, nor is there any recommendation of minimum Internet connection speeds for stable viewing. However, judging by other streaming services, you can expect to use around 1GB of data per hour when streaming in Standard Definition (SD), and around 1.5-3GB per hour for a High Definition (HD) stream.
What content is available on Lebara Play?
With over 1500 Kollywood movies already available and more added each week, Lebara Play packs plenty of entertainment for your viewing pleasure. From the time-travelling antics of Indru Netru Naalai to the romantic adventure of Raja Mandhiri, there's something to suit all tastes within the ever-expanding library. Coupled with the hours upon hours of live TV content spread across 40+ channels, it's safe to say Lebara Play will satisfy even the most avid of Tamil videophiles.
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