RAKUTEN-TV
Rakuten TV, one of the leading video-on-demand platforms in Europe, today announced the launch of its first AVOD - ad-supported video-on-demand - channels within the platform. This new business model will allow viewers to watch a wide range of content for free.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191015005048/en/
The free section of Rakuten TV will launch with an initial offer including Hollywood and local content to be expanded to additionally include exclusive Rakuten content, TV series, documentary series, news and sport channels in the coming months - with a combined linear and on-demand offer.
Among the exclusive content, Rakuten TV will present on its AVOD channel Matchday - Inside FC Barcelona , the new documentary series about FC Barcelona from the inside, offering previously unseen and exclusive scenes from the players’ private lives. Narrated by John Malkovich, Matchday – Inside FC Barcelona is a creation of Barça Studios, FC Barcelona’s own production house, in collaboration with Kosmos Studios, Rakuten, Inc. in association with Rakuten H Collective Studio and Producciones del Barrio.
Expanding its business model proposition, Rakuten TV will be the first to combine TVOD and AVOD products across Europe, meeting the changing needs of viewers. The free ad-supported channels will enrich the original proposition of Rakuten TV - Your Cinema at Home - offering Smart TV viewers the best cinematic experience with the latest new releases in the best audiovisual quality. Thanks to the presence of a remote control button providing direct access to the app on major Smart TVs, Rakuten TV content will be just a click away for over 30 million households across Europe.
In a time when the streaming industry is increasingly changing and exploring avenues such as AVOD, Rakuten TV is proud to pioneer this trend in Europe as the main VOD platform combining different business models - TVOD, AVOD and SVOD - which are oriented around meeting all audience needs.
Jacinto Roca, Rakuten TV Founder and CEO, stated: “We are incredibly proud to take this step after having tripled our presence in Europe just a few months ago. Rakuten TV continues to evolve rapidly alongside consumer trends within the industry, where there is a clear trend of advertisers moving away from linear TV and towards VOD. This is a unique opportunity for Rakuten TV which has already direct access to millions of European households through its branded remote control button of the main Smart TV brands. This is the mere beginning of a huge project which will see the launch of additional channels and exclusive content in the coming months”.
The service will be available in beta version, across the complete 2019 SMART TV line up, and will be progressively rolled out in other platforms including mobile and desktop.
Advertising sales will be managed by Rakuten Marketing, a subsidiary of Rakuten Inc. Nick Stamos, Rakuten Marketing CEO, stated: “Advertisers and agencies are eager to be among the first to showcase their brands in this exclusive and groundbreaking advertising platform. As VOD is emerging as a powerful media channel, our clients have been anticipating this launch from RakutenTV, so we are very excited to bring this new proposition to market across Europe.”
Rakuten Viber, Rakuten’s instant messaging service, will also be involved in the project, leveraging its community of 2 million Barça fans to promote Matchday.
Nielsen will be the data partner (DMP-data management platform) used to target advertisements at a digital level
This news comes alongside a renewed platform design for Rakuten TV, with a more attractive look & feel, a more intuitive user interface and a simpler user journey. Within the new interface, viewers will discover the new channel offering featuring ad-supported content inside the ‘free’ section implemented within the header menu.
The announcement took place during the conference “AVOD on the Rise” at MIPCOM 2019, where Founder and CEO of Rakuten TV, Jacinto Roca, spoke about the AVOD industry and its evolution with other top players in the entertainment field.
Rakuten TV
Rakuten TV is one of the leading Video On-Demand platforms in Europe. It offers a TVOD service (Transactional VOD) providing viewers a true cinematic experience with the latest new releases in the best audiovisual quality. It also includes an AVOD (Advertising VOD) section, Rakuten TV Free, in a blend of thematic channels embracing Hollywood classics, local, exclusive and themed content, all for free.
Rakuten TV is available in 42 countries and forms part of Rakuten, Inc., one of the world’s leading internet services companies, offering a wide variety of services for consumers and businesses, with a focus on e-commerce, fintech and digital content. Rakuten, headquartered in Japan, is also known for its partnerships with FC Barcelona, the NBA, the Golden State Warriors, Davis Cup and Spartan Race.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191015005048/en/
Link:
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Germany’s Largest Public Insurer Versicherungskammer Selects Clearwater Analytics for Scalable Investment Operations2.7.2025 09:00:00 CEST | Press release
Clearwater Analytics (NYSE: CWAN), the most comprehensive technology platform for investment management, today announced that Versicherungskammer Group has selected Clearwater Analytics’ platform to power their middle, back office and risk functions. This decision is based on a comprehensive operating model review that began in 2024, followed by a structured selection process to identify a strategic partner. The rigorous assessment underscored the need for change, as market developments and demographic shifts demanded more agility, transparency, and efficiency. By adopting Clearwater’s modern, cloud-based platform, Versicherungskammer will gain real-time, advanced data analytics to strengthen investment decision-making and drive improved performance. This will allow Versicherungskammer to focus on its core competencies in capital investment in the future. “Partnering with Clearwater marks an important shift in our investment operations strategy and is central to our goal of future-proo
Ant International Launches Alipay+ Voyager, a Built-in End-to-End AI Travel Companion for Digital Wallet and Super App Users2.7.2025 08:12:00 CEST | Press release
Alipay+ Voyager converts Alipay+'s agentic travel AI solutions into one multi-task interface for e-wallet and super app usersOTA and travel merchant partners such as Agoda, Fliggy and Trip.com offer seamless, end-to-end traveller experience through Alipay+'s global partner apps, from trip planning, trip booking to product and service discoveryAlipay+ plans to further deepen and expand its AI offerings for fintechs and super apps as a global wallet gateway for connectivity and growth. With launch partners including Agoda, Fliggy and Trip.com, Ant International introduces Alipay+ Voyager, an AI travel companion integrated into digital wallets for the travel industry to simplify and enhance travel experiences for global consumers. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250701160496/en/ A sample user interface of Alipay+ Voyager, which users can access via digital wallets Alipay+ Voyager combines Ant International's agen
Access Advance Welcomes Global Technology Leaders as Licensees and Licensors to New Video Distribution Patent Pool2.7.2025 02:00:00 CEST | Press release
Access Advance LLC ("Advance") today announced the inaugural roster of licensees and licensors for its Video Distribution Patent ("VDP") Pool, marking a significant milestone in the program's rapid market adoption since its January announcement. The participation of major global companies heavily involved in video codec technology demonstrates strong industry support for the comprehensive licensing solution covering HEVC, VVC, VP9, and AV1 codecs. The VDP Pool has successfully attracted a group of licensees/licensors including ByteDance, Kuaishou, NTT Docomo, and Tencent. This represents the beginning of what Access Advance expects to be widespread adoption among content streaming providers seeking simplified codec licensing. The licensees’ participation provides immediate access to the wide-ranging patent portfolio while benefiting from the fixed tiered pricing structure designed to scale with business size. "We're pleased to welcome ByteDance, Kuaishou, NTT Docomo and Tencent as our
Intralot S.A. to Acquire Bally’s International Interactive Business in a Transaction that Creates a Global Gaming Technology and Services Company in Lottery and Digital Online Gaming Markets1.7.2025 21:10:00 CEST | Press release
Intralot S.A. to Remain Listed on the Athens Stock ExchangeTransaction Enterprise Value of €2.7 Billion Intralot S.A. (ATSE: INLOT) (“Intralot”) and Bally’s Corporation (NYSE: BALY) (“Bally’s”) today announced that their respective Boards of Directors approved their entry into a definitive transaction agreement (“Transaction Agreement”) pursuant to which Intralot will acquire Bally’s International Interactive business (the “International Interactive Business”) in a cash-and-shares transaction that values the International Interactive Business at an enterprise value of €2.7 billion (the “Transaction”). The consideration for the acquisition of the International Interactive Business will comprise a combination of cash paid by Intralot and newly issued shares delivered by Intralot to Bally’s, as more specifically detailed below. As part of the Transaction, Intralot expects to refinance part of its existing debt facilities and Bally’s also expects to repay secured debt from the cash proceed
Valeo Foods Group Acquires Melegatti Cakes Expanding the Italian Bakery Portfolio1.7.2025 18:21:00 CEST | Press release
Valeo Foods Group, one of Europe’s leading producers of quality sweets, treats and snacks, has successfully acquired the assets of an Italian panettone, pandoro and croissant producer, Melegatti 1894 S.p.A.This acquisition is another step forward in Valeo Foods Groups’ strategy to expand its baked sweet treats portfolio, and reinforces Valeo’s commitment to bringing authentic Italian confections and established regional brands to a wider international audience. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250702677156/en/ Melegatti Founded in 1894 in Verona, Melegatti has a strong reputation for artisanal cakes - particularly pandoro, panettone and filled croissants - traditional recipes, and a rich Italian heritage, Melegatti has a proud legacy founded on family values, craftsmanship, and a passion for quality. “We are excited to welcome Melegatti into the Valeo Foods Group,” said Ronald Kers, Group CEO. “This acquisition
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom