By Jonathan Easton
Verizon has announced the launch of a new ‘entertainment hub’ which will serve to aggregate subscriptions to streaming and lifestyle services.
Dubbed +play, the platform will give Verizon customers a straightforward way of accessing services via a single login.
Via the platform, users will be able to subscribe to services including: Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+, Discovery, AMC+, Netflix, Peloton, Veeps concert livestreams, WW International, Inc., A+E Networks, The Athletic, Calm, Duolingo, and TelevisaUnivision’s Vix+.
The telco said that the hub is designed to centralise subscription services at no additional cost to Verizon customers, with trials to begin at the end of March. It added that the platform “is Verizon’s answer for an easier way to manage subscriptions across any and all devices, and for a more effective way to discover new content”.
This is the latest attempt from a major operator based in the US to corner the content aggregation market, with other players like Amazon, Apple and Roku all offering similar means of streamlining streaming subscriptions.
Commenting on +play, executive vice president and CEO of Verizon Consumer Group, Manon Brouillette said: “+play is a natural extension of our core strengths. Through premium content and entertainment relationships, we have a track record as one of the largest and most successful direct to consumer platforms in the country.
“We already support the management of millions of Verizon-offered content subscriptions and +play will further enhance our Mix & Match plan proposition by scaling choice through aggregation – choice of connectivity, choice of device, and now choice of content and digital services with added perks and offers in a one stop shop.”