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StarzPlay continues international expansion

Starzplay, the streaming service from Starz, is celebrating a collection of partner launches in the second half of 2020 including a new presence in the Nordics with NENT/Viaplay. In addition, Starzplay has expanded in key markets this month with Vodafone in Italy, Sky in Switzerland and Molotov in France, with more still planned. Starzplay says […]

December 16, 2020

HBO Max app on Xfinity X1 and Flex

WarnerMedia and Comcast have confirmed the rollout of the HBO Max app on Comcast’s Xfinity X1 and Xfinity Flex, providing Xfinity customers with access to HBO Max’s full portfolio of original series and programming in one integrated experience. X1 and Flex customers will be able to access the HBO Max app over the Internet by […]

December 16, 2020

Research: Increasing US demand for 1st-run movies online

Research from analyst firm Parks Associates finds 25 per cent of US broadband households now prefer an OTT subscription service to watch new movies, while 24 per cent still prefer movie theatres to experience first-run movie titles. “Covid-19 has upended the traditional content-windowing process, and consumer research shows this paradigm shift is impacting consumer attitudes,” […]

December 15, 2020

Analyst: Nordics attractive for new SVoDs

An unusually diverse range of content interests means the Nordics provide ample growth opportunity for new US studio-led streamers and other new international services such as BritBox that can leverage demand for UK and US content, according to consultancy firm Ampere Analysis. Scandinavians show strong interest in both local and international content, a trait which, […]

December 15, 2020

Study: US users bundling 7 video services

2020 has seen an accelerated transition of viewing from traditional channels to free and subscription streaming video services, as consumers had more options to choose from and more time at home under Covid restrictions, according to The NPD Group’s new TV Switching Study, which tracks changes in the ways US consumers view and buy digital […]

December 15, 2020

Vevo hits 1bn weekend daily views

Premium music video service Vevo has reached weekend daily highs of one billion global views, a record milestone, according to its annual year-end lookback. This year, Vevo has been hyper-focused on its distribution strategy and expansion into the home via an array of OTT partners, including Samsung TV Plus, VIZIO and Netrange. Through these partnerships, […]

December 15, 2020

Greenfly, Grabyo integration and partnership

Brand advocacy specialist Greenfly and cloud video platform Grabyo have revealed a partnership and technology integration between their cloud-based software platforms that will enable more video clips to be published on social media networks, building brand engagement and loyalty for both parties. The solution combines Grabyo’s cloud-native video production platform and publishing tools for clipping […]

December 15, 2020

Sky, Amazon partnership

Sky and Amazon have agreed a new long-term partnership that will see Prime Video launch on Sky and NOW TV devices across Europe from December 14th, while the NOW TV and Sky Ticket apps will also come to Fire TV devices. The partnership means customers in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy will now […]

December 14, 2020By Colin Mann

Forecast: SVoDs set for challenging 2021

Households living under lockdown have binged content like never before, driving significant uptake of both incumbent and newly-launched SVoD services. But having already exhausted the pool of new households to sell to, SVoD services must brace themselves for a much slower 2021, advises Maria Rua Aguete, Senior Director, Media and Entertainment at analyst firm Omdia, […]

December 14, 2020By Colin Mann

Disney+ nears 87m subs; price hikes coming

The Walt Disney Company has detailed next steps in its global streaming expansion at its 2020 Investor Day, with new details on the future of its direct-to-consumer services Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+, a first look at its upcoming international general entertainment content brand, Star, and previews of all-new content. Bob Chapek, CEO at The Walt […]

December 11, 2020By Nik Roseveare