By Stuart Thomson
Telefónica has teamed up with Rakuten to launch the Rakuten Living App as part of the Movistar+ pay TV service offering in Spain.
Movistar Fusion customers in over 1.4 million homes with the operator’s UHD set-top will be able to access the app, which connects online entertainment with offline events.
The Rakuten Living App will enable consumers to discover a variety of live events and leisure experiences in various cities at a glance directly on their TVs, according to the pair.
While it is being launched in Spain, consumers will be able to browse and buy tickets for events both in Spanish cities like Madrid, Malaga, or Barcelona, and in major European cities including London and Berlin.
The app is integrated with voice management through Aura, Telefónica’s AI-powered digital assistant. Customers can access and browse Rakuten content with the Movistar+ voice-enabled remote control by saying “Open Rakuten” or via their Movistar Home device by saying “OK Aura, open Rakuten”.
The app connects users to their Rakuten account on the shopping and affiliate platform Rakuten.es, enabling them to book tickets and to collect Rakuten Points while doing so, providing credit for their next purchase, as well as accessing Rakuten TV movie rental or Rakuten Kobo book.
Rakuten.es is a membership programme for consumers that enables them to shop, collect points and to redeem them for gift cards, fan tokens of their favourite sports club, recent movie releases, books or other selected experiences with various Rakuten partners.
By clicking on the image of an event on the TV screen, further information like price, date, time, and location is provided. Consumers will also see a description of the event, minimum age for participants, and the sanitary measures proposed to the event in accordance with local Covid-regulations.
After selecting the date and the number of tickets, a QR code is generated on the TV screen that directs consumers to the secure payment on the Rakuten.es website.
Managing director of Rakuten’s shopping and affiliate platform Cédric Dufour said: “Our goal is to create an innovative, customer-centric membership program unlike any other in the region. Key to this is the right mix of great value, unique offers and exclusive features for consumers. That’s why we are proud to collaborate with Telefónica. The innovative Rakuten Living App allows Movistar+ viewers to shop directly from their TV and connect their digital experience with a variety of live events and leisure activities. That’s the perfect connection of online and offline, while customers further profit from Rakuten benefits, such as collecting Rakuten Points.”
Director of digital home at Telefónica’s Digital unit, Antonio Guzmán said: “Our customers can learn, be entertained, exercise or shop through Movistar+ TV, all from the comfort of their sofa. We are very happy to have Rakuten on board, it enriches our platform and customers will enjoy discovering and booking all kinds of exclusive activities”.
