Magine beta version for Germany
August 1, 2013
The beta format of Magine, the cloud-based TV service, is now available in Germany. Interested German viewers can apply for test access at www.magine.com. A limited number of users will get a cost-free opportunity to test a totally different kind of TV viewing before the official launch in the autumn of 2013, when Magine will become available in Germany as a regular subscription service.
Magine’s CEO Mattias Hjelmstedt described the launch as “an outstandingly important milestone” for Magine. “After the start in Sweden and the beta launch in Spain, we’re very pleased that we’ve succeeded in making Magine available in three European markets within half a year’s time. We’re convinced that German viewers will be enthusiastic about Magine because we enable them to enjoy a better kind of TV viewing.”
With the start of the beta version in Germany RTL, VOX, RTL II, SUPER RTL, n-tv, RTL NITRO, ZDF, Eurosport 1, Eurosport 2, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, VIVA, DMAX (Discovery Networks) are available via Magine. Negotiations with major international media corporations are under way and the service will expand its program offering during the coming months.
Since its initial launch in Sweden in April 2013, Magine has successfully established itself there. In July the Magine app held the number one position for the most popular application in the Swedish iTunes store. Magine hosts Swedish national television broadcasters SVT and TV4, as well as international groups including Discovery Networks, Disney, CNN International, BBC, Eurosport, National Geographic, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network.
The beta version launched in Spain beginning of July 2013 where the platform hosts Chello Multicanal, Viacom Spain, Cosmopolitan and National Geographic Channel Spain amongst others.
In July, Magine founders, Michael Werner, Mattias Hjelmstedt, Erik Wikstrom, Xavier Ritort and Hakan Tranvik raised $19 million through an agreement signed with Swedish and international investors. On the strength of this fundraising round, the international roll-out of the platform will accelerate considerably and Magine predicts that the the service will be available to viewers in at least three further markets before the end of the year.