By DTVE Reporter
Cloud-based software-as-a-service technology provider for broadcast and connected TV Amagi has strengthened its partnership with streaming platform operator Rakuten TV to provide channel distribution and monetisation services.
Rakuten TV combines transactional video-on-demand, advertising video-on-demand or AVOD, free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST), and subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) with a catalogue that includes content from Warner Bros., Disney and Sony Pictures, free films and TV shows, on-demand access to premium subscription services, and over 90 free linear channels.
For Rakuten TV, Amagi delivers a line-up of nearly 50 third-party linear channels, working alongside Rakuten TV’s primary monetisation partner Rakuten Advertising. These include BITE, Bon Appétit, Brat TV, IMG EDGEsport, Insight TV, PopSugar Fitness, Qwest TV, Talk Radio TV and XITE.
In Europe, Amagi supports premium content brands, including A+E Networks UK, Horse & Country TV, NBCUniversal International, News UK, Sofy TV, Koch Media, ADN, OFIVE TV and Viceland UK, among others, on its cloud broadcast platform.
“This partnership with Amagi is key for Rakuten TV as we continue our European expansion. It has provided access to a great line-up of third-party content across a wide range of genres,” said CEO and founder at Rakuten TV, Jacinto Roca.
“Our channel creation, distribution and monetization solutions are already the preferred choice for some of the largest OTT platforms and content brands in the market. We’re pleased to add Rakuten TV’s FAST service in Europe to Amagi’s distribution network. With our premium content partners, viewership and advertising analytics capabilities, we are confident of accelerating Rakuten’s market share in the region,” said co-founder, Amagi, Srinivasan KA.
One key feature missing at the launch of tvOS 15 – and iOS 15 for that matter – is SharePlay. SharePlay, initially announced earlier this year, will allow FaceTime users to stream titles together in sync across their Apple devices. The feature however was delayed in August, and will arrive at a later date.
