KUALA LUMPUR (Apr 16): Azran Osman Rani, the former chief executive officer (CEO) of AirAsia X Bhd, has been named the new CEO of Catcha Group's iflix Malaysia, confirming an article published by The Edge Financial Daily today.

In a press statement, iflix said Azran, 43, is also taking on the role as chief operating officer of the iflix Group. The soon-to-be launched iflix is Southeast Asia's Internet TV service and newest addition to Australian internet and new media entrepreneur Patrick Grove's Catcha Group's portfolio of digital companies.

Azran's role in iflix includes driving the Malaysia business, as well as overall organisational design, innovation, operations and strategy for the iflix Group, said iflix.

"Having served as CEO [in AirAsia X] from its inception in 2007, he [Azran] successfully grew the groundbreaking business to become Asia Pacific's leading low cost long-haul airline, with over SG$1.1 billion in revenue," it added.

Prior to AirAsia X, iflix noted that Azran led the start-up and operational launch of Astro All Asia Networks PLC's international investments across Southeast Asia, India and Greater China, with management responsibility over its broadcasting and content investment portfolio.

Azran, who is currently also a commissioner of leading Indonesian mobile telecommunications services operator, XL Axiata, was formerly a director of Tourism Malaysia.

Azran resigned as CEO of AirAsia X on Jan 30 this year. He holds a Masters degree in Management Science and a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, both from Stanford University.

Iflix Group CEO Mark Britt said Azran is "a proven leader who has an exceptional track record for built businesses from the ground up". 

"We are extraordinarily excited to have an individual of Azran's calibre on board to spearhead the growth of the region's leading Internet TV service," he added.

Azran, in the same statement, said iflix is a game changer that will transform how Southeast Asian consumers access entertainment content. 

"I look forward to lead the charge towards capitalising on this tremendous disruptive opportunity."

Launching in key Southeast Asian markets - including Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam - throughout 2015, iflix will offer consumers more than 10,000 hours of top US, regional Asian, and local TV shows and movies. 

"Each subscription will allow a user to access the service on five devices, as well as download content to their mobile, tablet, computer, or television set, for viewing anywhere, anytime," said iflix.