By Stuart Thomson
Canal+-owned channel provider SPI International has signed a distribution deal with content and platform aggregator ScreenHits TV for SPI’s free, ad-supported television (FAST) channel Filmstream, which broadcasts world cinema and independent feature films.
The channel is now live via the ScreenHits TV app in the UK, USA, Germany, Colombia, Mexico and Argentina, with more territories to be added in the near future.
Filmstream currently broadcasts a curated slate of movies from directors such as Hitchcock, Kurosawa, Fellini and others. The channel plans to expand its line-up with Hollywood blockbusters and popular hits in the future and is a part of SPI’s expanding portfolio of FAST channels spanning all genres.
ScreenHits TV allows subscribers to integrate and manage TV/online streaming services while permitting them to see what is trending. It also gives them the ability to share recommendations and viewing habits with friends.
“Filmstream is a true game changer for world cinema enthusiasts with its catalog of timeless movies and we are pleased to expand its reach with ScreenHits TV worldwide across the USA, parts of Europe and Latin America,” said MD Western Europe and Africa at SPI International, Georgina Twiss.
“At SPI, we work toward delivering well-curated free streaming TV, such as Filmstream, to maximize our audiences’ entertainment experience while reducing their decision fatigue. FASTs have become an integral part of our digital growth strategy in the past year and it brings us great pleasure to collaborate with like-minded partners like ScreenHits TV which prioritizes the ease of discoverability for quality content,” said CMO & CDO at SPI International, Haymi Behar.
ScreenHits TV CEO-Founder Rose Hulse said, “FAST TV channels are rapidly becoming a cornerstone of streaming as this business evolves, and we have evolved along with it. As a portal dedicated to making life easier for consumers, our goal is to seamlessly integrate the SVOD and FAST Channels into a fluid and integrated UI, ensuring the consumer gets to the content they want to watch quicker, with as few clicks as possible. We are extremely selective about which news and entertainment FAST channels we add to our service to ensure they complement the SVOD platforms. Filmstream’s outstanding library of cinema gems and independent feature films from around the world fits perfectly with our vision.”
