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  • Fast channels surge 14 per cent this year as news and horror fuel boom

    Fast channels surge 14 per cent this year as news and horror fuel boom

    MUMBAI: Free ad-supported television (Fast) is enjoying a blistering run. The number of Fast channels worldwide has climbed nearly 14 per cent since the start of 2025 and 76 per cent since 2023, according to fresh analysis from Gracenote, the content data arm of Nielsen.

    The firm has expanded its Data Hub to track nearly 1,850 active Fast channels, enabling direct comparisons with subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) catalogues from the likes of Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, Disney+, Netflix and Paramount+. The enhanced tool now covers more than 645,000 TV shows, films and sports programmes across SVOD and a further 197,000 across Fast.

    Fast is skewing younger than its subscription rivals. Almost half of its content has been produced in the past five years, compared with only a third for SVOD. Stretching the timeframe to 15 years, Fast jumps to nearly 80 per cent of programming, versus 68.5 per cent for SVOD.

    Television dominates both formats, but especially Fast: 93.1 per cent of its content comprises TV programming by episode count, compared with 88.8 per cent on SVOD platforms.

    Genre trends are diverging. Documentaries make up the largest Fast slice at 16.1 per cent, followed by drama (10.6 per cent) and news (9.9 per cent). Yet it is news and horror that are powering growth, up 37 per cent and 30 per cent respectively. On SVOD, sports led the charge in the past quarter with a 13.2 per cent bump, ahead of films (10 per cent) and TV (9.2 per cent). Sports on Fast dipped 3.7 per cent in the last three months but remain up 14 per cent year to date.

    Among the big streamers, Amazon bulked up most aggressively, expanding its catalogue by 12.6 per cent quarter on quarter. Paramount+ followed with a 6.4 per cent increase. Overall, SVOD offerings grew 9.8 per cent in the same period.

    Gracenote, which covers video content in more than 70 languages and 80 countries, is pitching its Data Hub as a strategic compass for distributors, producers and advertisers eager to map where audiences are headed.

  • Marco Bassetti to be bestowed with Variety Vanguard Award at Mipcom Cannes

    Marco Bassetti to be bestowed with Variety Vanguard Award at Mipcom Cannes

    MUMBAI: Marco Bassetti, the no-nonsense chief of Banijay, is set to receive the prestigious Variety Vanguard Award at Mipcom Cannes this October. Known for helming global smashes like Survivor and Peaky Blinders, Bassetti will be honoured on 13 October during a keynote conversation at the Palais des Festivals.

    The award—jointly presented by Variety and Mipcom—recognises television titans who’ve reshaped the global entertainment business. And few have done it with as much panache (and profit) as Bassetti.

    “Marco Bassetti is one of the most entrepreneurial, visionary and impactful television executives of our era who has led Banijay Entertainment to be the world’s largest production and distribution group through his championing of creativity, independence, and innovation,” said Mipcom Cannes & Mipcom Junior director Lucy Smith. “It is our privilege to partner with Variety to recognize his achievements in front of the global TV industry at Mipcom Cannes and to hear his insights on wider opportunities, developments and trends globally, which as a true vanguard, are always invaluable.”

    Variety co-editor in chief Cynthia Littleton said “Banijay has proven to be one of the most dynamic of the super indie content groups to emerge on the global stage.” She added: “Under Marco Bassetti’s leadership the company has delivered strong results and ambitious slates. We are happy to present him with the Variety Vanguard Award at Mipcom 2025 for his contributions to this ever-growing industry.” 

    Strong and ambitious are understatements. In 2024, Banijay racked up a staggering €3.3 billion in content business and posted an EBITDA margin of 15.8 per cent. While already ruling the unscripted kingdom, Bassetti now has scripted squarely in his sights—with the company eyeing €1 billion in scripted revenues for 2025. The pipeline includes Carême (Shine Fiction for Apple TV+), Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight, and a much-hyped Peaky Blinders film for Netflix.

    If that wasn’t enough, Bassetti’s been on a shopping spree: acquiring Caryn Mandabach Productions (home of Peaky), Fábrica, The Forge, and Balich Wonder Studios (FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022), plus stakes in Hyphenate Media Group, Conker Pictures, Rabbit Track Pictures, and Lenny Henry’s Esmerelda.

    The award will be the crowning moment of C-Suite Conversations—a Mipcom-Variety initiative helping top execs decode the chaos of today’s content world.

    Mipcom Cannes runs 13–16 October. And with Bassetti centre stage, the festival’s finale promises to be nothing short of blinding.

  • Airtel beams entertainment into 2000 cities with mega IPTV splash

    Airtel beams entertainment into 2000 cities with mega IPTV splash

    MUMBAI:  Bharti Airtel has fired a broadside into India’s home entertainment market, launching IPTV services that promise to turn living rooms into multimedia playgrounds across 2,000 cities.

    The telecom giant’s latest offering bundles 29 streaming apps — including Netflix, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime — with 350 television channels, all riding on Airtel’s high-speed Wi-Fi networks.

    Chief of connected homes Siddharth Sharma  declared the launch as “a new era in home entertainment where cutting-edge technology seamlessly blends traditional linear TV with streaming”.

    The telco has drawn up a handful of packages for the IPTV service based on the broadband speed and number of apps. The following are the plans:  
    * Rs 699 (40 Mbps, 26 apps)
    * Rs. 899 100 Mbps 26 Streaming Apps 350 TV Channels
    * Rs. 1099 200 Mbps 28 Streaming Apps including Apple TV+, Amazon
    Prime 350 TV Channels 
    * Rs. 1599 300 Mbps 29 Streaming Apps including Netflix, Apple TV+,
             Amazon Prime 350 TV Channels* Rs 3,999 (1 Gbps, 29 apps)
    * Introductory sweetener: 30 days free service

    Customers can activate services through Airtel’s website or stores. Existing Wi-Fi subscribers can upgrade via the Airtel Thanks App.

  • Bharti Airtel to shut down Wynk Music app: Report

    Bharti Airtel to shut down Wynk Music app: Report

    Mumbai: Bharti Airtel has decided to exit the music sector by shutting down its Wynk Music app according to media reports. Shortly after announcing a strategic partnership with Apple, the company will wind down Wynk Music over the next few months and integrate all current employees into other roles within the organisation.

    An Airtel spokesperson confirmed the closure, stating that Wynk Music will be discontinued in the coming months, and employees working on the app will be absorbed within the Airtel ecosystem.

    Since its launch in 2014, Wynk Music has built a significant user base with over 100 million subscribers. This move aligns with Airtel’s new focus on collaborating with Apple to enhance video and music streaming services. As part of this partnership, Airtel customers will have access to Apple Music, and Wynk Premium subscribers will receive special offers. Additionally, Apple TV+ will be accessible through Airtel’s Xstream service, further expanding its content offerings.

    With a diverse portfolio including Airtel Wynk, Airtel Thanks, and Xstream, Airtel serves more than 220 million active users and is aiming for continued growth in the competitive digital market.

  • Watch scream-worthy Halloween movies on Tata Play Binge

    Watch scream-worthy Halloween movies on Tata Play Binge

    Mumbai: As the moon rises high in the night sky and the darkness draws nearer, get ready to embrace the spine-tingling chills, the eerie ambiance, and the unmistakable thrill of Halloween, the most bewitching time of the year! Tata Play Binge has pulled out all the stops to curate a list of hair-raising horror movies that will send shivers down your spine and keep you on the edge of your seat throughout the spooky season. Here’s a list of top seven spooky Bollywood films that challenged the genre to give viewers a close look of the other realm. Make them your Halloween partner and explore a wickedly delightful cinematic journey on Tata Play Binge!

    1920: Horrors of the Heart on Disney+ Hotstar

    If you’re a fan of classic horror films with a modern twist, then 1920: Horrors of the Heart is the film for you. It’s a chilling tale of revenge, possession, and the dark secrets that families can hide. What really sets 1920: Horrors of the Heart apart from other horror films is its emotional core.  The director, Krishna Bhatt, creates a sense of unease and suspense, building stunning visuals and a haunting score.

    The Nun on Apple TV+

    For an absolutely spine-tingling horror experience, ‘The Nun’ directed by Corin Hardy, is a must-see. It unravels a chilling tale set in a remote Romanian abbey in the 1950s, where a priest and a novice investigate a nun’s suicide and unearth a malevolent force embodied by the demonic Sister Valak. The film boasts a talented cast, including Taissa Farmiga, Demián Bichir, and Jonas Bloquet, who elevate the suspenseful atmosphere. The Nun delivers eerie visuals and a haunting score, creating an intensely terrifying ambiance that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

    Tumbbad on Amazon Prime Video

    If you’re seeking an experience that seamlessly blends spine-tingling horror, mesmerizing fantasy, and a richness of  Indian mythology, Tumbbad is the movie you absolutely can’t miss. Considered one of the greatest works of Bollywood in horror, the Anand Gandhi directorial blends mystery, superstition and human greed to present an unforgettable journey along with Sohum Shah’s believable acting. The film also grabbed many awards like Awards of the International Indian Film Academy for Best Special Effects along with two awards at Sitges – Catalonian International Film Festival.

    Stree on Netflix

    Stree is a captivating Bollywood horror-comedy that weaves supernatural elements with humor, offering an unforgettable cinematic delight. Studded with a cast including  Rajkumar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi and many more, it stands apart for its unique blend of combining humour with the age-old story of a vengeful female spirit on the prowl. The movie is considered remarkable as its success paved the way for Bollywood to experiment further with horror comedies and also gained a sequel with Jahanvi Kapoor and Raj Kumar as the lead

    Ragini MMS 2 on Zee 5

    Ragini MMS 2 has a cult following of its own. The film is an electrifying Bollywood horror sequel that seamlessly combines sensuality with supernatural suspense, delivering a gripping and unforgettable cinematic experience. Directed by Bhushan Patel, its uncanny story flow shot through a unique cinematography established Sunny Leonne as an actor in the horror genre.

    Darna Mana Hai on Lionsgate Play

    If you’re seeking a unique and gripping horror experience, do watch Darna Mana Hai directed by Prawaal Raman. The movie features six different short stories woven into a single narrative shared by a group of friends who find themselves stranded due to a car breakdown and decide to tell each other spooky tales to pass the time. With its ensemble cast of Saif Ali Khan, Shilpa Shetty, Boman Irani, Vivek Oberoi, and more, the film received a mixed response from critics, but it garnered a cult fan following for its refreshing approach to horror storytelling.

    Insidious: Chapter 2 on Sony Liv

    ‘Insidious: Chapter 2’ directed by James Wan, is an obvious must-watch for all horror fans! The film picks up right where the first installment left off, exploring the haunting consequences of the Lambert family’s connection to the spirit world. With an exceptional cast that includes Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, and Lin Shaye, this movie maintains a relentless grip on your nerves, offering a mind-bending and eerie narrative filled with twists and surprises. You can also find ‘Insidious: Chapter 3’ on Sony Liv as well for a spooky binge.

    Don’t Breathe on Aha

    For a heart-pounding thriller, watch ‘Don’t Breathe’ directed by Fede Álvarez. It follows young burglars breaking into a blind man’s house, played by Stephen Lang, expecting an easy score. However, their plans quickly unravel as they realize the blind man is far more dangerous and resourceful than anticipated, leading to a relentless game of cat and mouse that keeps you on the edge of your seat. With intense atmosphere and stellar performances from the cast, including Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, and Daniel Zovatto, it’s a suspenseful, nail-biting and breath-holding experience.

    Wondering how to get a subscription of these OTT apps? We have Tata Play Binge for you. Viewers can avail the entire package of 22+ apps (Disney+ Hotstar, Apple TV+, ZEE5, SonyLIV, Hallmark Movies Now, MX Player, Lionsgate Play, Aha, VROTT, Sun NXT, ReelDrama, Chaupal, Namma Flix, Planet Marathi, manoramaMAX, Koode, Tarang Plus, Hungama Play, Eros Now, ShemarooMe, Curiosity Stream, Voot Kids, EPIC ON, Travelxp, DocuBay, and ShortsTV) and Games under one subscription, in one app, without having to subscribe or remember the password of every app. Sounds amazing? It is amazing!!

    Please Note: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video plans are available for Tata Play DTH subscribers only.

    Download the Tata Play Binge app to enjoy the best of entertainment across over 22 OTT platforms. Tune into Tata Play Binge, where the most haunting classics from all corners of the world unite to celebrate the spooktacular magic of Halloween.

  • Evergent launches Sports Accelerator to optimise monetisation for sports programming

    Evergent launches Sports Accelerator to optimise monetisation for sports programming

    Mumbai: Evergent, the customer management and monetisation leader for streaming and D2C sports businesses, has announced the launch of its new Sports Accelerator package, a suite of features designed to optimise monetization of live event programming for sports OTT providers. Evergent’s Sports Accelerator addresses the most challenging aspects of subscription management and monetisation for sports programming, including reducing churn between professional sports seasons, navigating couch rights and blackout restrictions, and supporting channel sales and global payment processing. The new package builds on Evergent’s existing relationships and experience with sports media leaders including the National Basketball Association (NBA), YES Network, Bally Sports, MSG Network, and Marquee Sports.

    Live sports programming is consistently one of the most popular television genres in the United States and throughout the world and it has only become more popular of late, as viewers are left with fewer original content choices due to the ongoing actors and writers strikes. Over the past year, streaming providers have also invested heavily in live sports programming, with major U.S. sports leagues including the NHL, MLB, and MLS broadcasting some games exclusively on platforms including Apple TV+, YouTube TV, and Amazon Prime.

    The new Sports Accelerator package from Evergent is purpose-built to address the seasonal, location-specific nature of live sports programming. Evergent’s seasonal subscription feature allows customers to retain subscribers across season boundaries while aligning those subscriptions to season validity dates. Additional benefits of the feature include price grandfathering across seasons to help reduce churn that would otherwise take place after a major event like the Super Bowl or NBA Finals.

    In addition to seasonal subscription management, Evergent’s Sports Accelerator package also includes the following features designed to improve monetization and subscriber retention:

    ●   Couch Rights: Evergent’s couch rights feature allows RSNs to seamlessly remain compliant with complicated geofencing rules and blackout restrictions. Evergent allows RSNs to establish and enforce couch rights for subscribers traveling beyond the RSN’s broadcasting boundaries, allowing subscribers to enjoy their subscription content while away from home.

    ●   Subscription Pause and Resume: Evergent’s flexible subscription management tools allow end users to pause their subscription for any reason, minimising the number of subscribers who churn without returning to the platform. This customer-friendly feature allows streaming companies to avoid the high costs of customer reacquisition.

    ●   Channel Sales Manager: With Evergent, media providers can sell tickets and subscriptions through a variety of channels, including the teams themselves. Media companies can create and issue coupons or vouchers through the Evergent platform, allowing them to enable, manage and track coupon use across channels in a single platform.

    ●   Favourite Teams/Players: This feature allows media companies to capture information on the subscriber’s favourite teams or players during the sign-up process, providing valuable data for personalised experiences and upselling opportunities.

    Sports media customers use these tools for customer relationship management and monetization to overcome the challenges specific to their industry. Customers such as the NBA to deploy the seasonal subscription feature to increase customer retention. Regional sports networks (RSNs) including Bally Sports use Evergent’s couch rights feature to maintain compliance with geofencing and blackout restrictions.

    “The live sports media landscape is changing, and it’s clear that media companies can no longer rely on the same playbook,” said Evergent CEO & founder Vijay Sajja. “Our new Sports Accelerator package was built with the fan in mind, simultaneously improving the user experience and reducing customer churn. We will continue to hone these features as we learn from our partnerships with some of the leading entities in sports media.”
     

  • Gritty stories depicting the realities of the entertainment industry

    Gritty stories depicting the realities of the entertainment industry

    Mumbai: Many films and shows have depicted the reality of showbiz. Some have romanticised the allure of cinema and the glamour world while others have depicted the heartbreak and disillusion that the industry inflicts upon strugglers. Here are a few such narratives that don’t gloss over the gritty realities strugglers have to face in the city of dreams.

    Heroine: Kareena Kapoor stars in a role that brings back memories of many top actors who shimmered brightly for a while but could not sustain success or find lasting personal happiness. Directed, written, and co-produced by Madhur Bhandarkar, the film also dwells upon gender politics, the role of yellow journalism, publicity gimmicks, and ageism in the industry. It also depicts how veteran actors are mistreated on sets and the way the market value of stars changes on the basis of their last release. It also stars Arjun Rampal, Randeep Hooda, Shahana Goswami, Raqesh Bapat, Divya Dutta, Helen,  Mugdha Godse, and Lillete Dubey in supporting roles. Watch it on Apple TV.

    Bombay Babes (Season 1 and 2): This iTap winner directed by Ashish Bhatia, revolves around a few young women who hope to make it big in Mumbai but then their dream auditions turn into nightmares. And their plans to carve a niche in the frenzied metro are derailed by predatorial men. How these women then join forces to avenge themselves and protect each other makes for a riveting watch. This Hindi web series stars Ruby Bharaj, Navneet Kaur, Surabhi Tiwari, Kanika Gupta and Shipra Dwivedi as the lead characters of Angel, Jenny, Dolly,  Farzeen, and Sandi respectively.  The show is an engrossing story of empowerment and self-discovery and is available on iTap.

    Fashion: Meghna, a small-town girl loses herself in the race to become the face of a top fashion brand on the city’s tallest hoarding. She becomes the most sought-after model,  trades love for success and soon loses her footing when she realises that fame is ephemeral and everyone is dispensable in the world of glamour. How she finds her own authentic self after losing everything is both a cautionary tale and a story of hope. This  Madhur Bhandarkar directorial starred Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut and Mugdha Godse in lead roles, with Arjan Bajwa, Samir Soni and Arbaaz Khan.  You can stream it on Netflix.

    Jubilee: This period drama created and directed by Vikramaditya Motwane reimagines the birth of the star system in pre and post-independence India through the events in Roy Talkies, a place where ambitious fame seekers flock to realise their dreams of stardom.  The show stars Prosenjit Chatterjee, Aparshakti Khurana, Sidhant Gupta, Aditi Rao Hydari, Wamiqa Gabbi and Ram Kapoor and begins with the search for a new actor who will be named  ‘Madan Kumar’.  In the race to be anointed as the new discovery of Roy Talkies, Binod, a projector boy does the unthinkable and becomes an unlikely star. Watch it on Amazon Prime.  

    Luck by Chance: ‘Luck by Chance’,  Zoya Akhtar’s directorial debut stars Farhan Akhtar as Vikram Jaisingh, a ruthlessly ambitious actor who lives with her disapproving aunt in Mumbai and hopes to make it big one day. A chance meeting with Neena (Dimple Kapadia), a once-famous actress leads to an audition for a solo lead in a big production and he manipulates a rival to bag the role. He then betrays his girlfriend and aspiring actor Sona (Konkona Sen Sharma) and begins a relationship with his co-star. However,  when success arrives, he realises that it alone cannot bring happiness. Glittering with guest stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and Akshaye Khanna, the film also starred Rishi Kapoor, Isha Sharvani, and Juhi Chawla. You can watch it on Netflix.

  • Apple TV+ is now available on Tata Play Binge

    Apple TV+ is now available on Tata Play Binge

    Mumbai: Starting 12 September, your OTT entertainment gets a major upgrade with Apple TV+ coming to Tata Play Binge. Tata Play Binge subscribers will get access to Apple TV+’s award-winning original series and films, in addition to 26+ other apps that are already a part of the aggregated platform.

    Commenting on the partnership, Tata Play chief commercial and content officer Pallavi Puri said, “This collaboration with Apple TV+ is a testament to our commitment to bring to our viewers the very best of content in the world. Apple TV+ features premium, high-quality series and films that are available across devices for all kinds of viewers.”

    “We couldn’t be more excited that Tata Play Binge subscribers in India will be able to enjoy the acclaimed series and movies on Apple TV+,” said Apple Entertainment Services & Beats vice president Oliver Schusser. “Apple TV+ is home to incredible shows and films from the world’s best storytellers, and we’re so glad that Tata Play Binge customers can watch on the Apple TV app across all their favorite devices, including the Tata Play Binge+ Set Top Box.”

    Apple TV+ is home to award-winning and critically acclaimed series such as Ted Lasso, Shrinking, Silo, Hijack, Foundation, Tehran, Servant, Platonic, Severance, The Morning Show, Bad Sisters, Slow Horses, Prehistoric Planet, and many more, as well as Apple Original Films like Academy Award winners CODA and The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, Ghosted, and the recently premiered The Beanie Bubble. New series titles coming soon to Apple TV+ include Lessons in Chemistry, starring and executive produced by Brie Larson; The Changeling, based on the acclaimed bestselling book of the same name, starring and executive produced by Academy Award nominee LaKeith Stanfield; The Super Models, directed by Academy Award winner Roger Ross Williams and Larissa Bills, spotlighting the remarkable careers of global icons Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington; alongside highly anticipated returning seasons of Foundation, The Morning Show, Invasion, The Afterparty, Swagger and Physical, among others.

    Apple Original Films set to make their global debut on Apple TV+ soon include Killers of the Flower Moon, the upcoming film starring Academy Award winners Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, as well as newcomer Lily Gladstone, from Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese; the star-studded spy thriller Argylle, with Henry Cavill, Sam Rockwell, Bryce Dallas Howard, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’Hara, John Cena, Dua Lipa, Ariana DeBose, and Samuel L. Jackson; historical action epic Napoleon from acclaimed director Ridley Scott and starring Joaquin Phoenix; a highly anticipated Formula One racing feature starring Brad Pitt from Joseph Kosinski, Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Plan B Entertainment, and many more.

  • Ease Live IBC launch enables sports fans to interact on all devices – including connected TVs

    Ease Live IBC launch enables sports fans to interact on all devices – including connected TVs

    Mumbai: Ease Live (an Evertz company), the interactive sports experts, today announced that it has developed the capability for its interactive platform to provide perfectly synced interactive experiences on Connected TVs, on top of its existing ability to enable TV viewers to interact with the action on mobiles, PCs and tablets. In addition, IBC will also see Ease Live (IBC: 1. B79) launch and demonstrate a new soccer pack that is integrated with leading sports data providers, and includes templates and functionality designed specifically for operators with soccer rights.

    A hand holding a phone and watching a football game on a televisionDescription automatically generated

    As an industry first, Ease Live recently launched connected TV interactivity for a major US regional sports network, which enabled fans to engage with interactive baseball overlays on Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV and Google TV as well as mobile devices.

    “That the Ease Live platform now enables sports video to be interactive on all connected screens is a huge step forward in engaging the audiences across the screens,” said OTT Advisors & managing partner Chris Wagner. “It’s really a game changer for broadcasters and operators with sports rights looking to drive fan engagement while also unlocking new ad inventory and monetization opportunities.”

    Ease Live is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution embraced by sports leagues, broadcasters, and content providers globally. This interactive graphics platform gives leagues and media companies streaming live sports and other live events the necessary tools to create, build, and provide interactivity to millions of fans and other viewers across multiple platforms in real time. The platform delivers edge-rendered graphic overlays, adding interactive experiences to existing TV, Over-The-Top (OTT) services and apps. With Ease Live, sports fans can interact with in-game statistics, participate in watch parties, polls, trivia, access instant replays and gaming – all without leaving the event.

    Ease Live has enabled streaming service operators to boost viewing duration and engagement by over 50 per cent through interactivity synced to the TV and accessed via PCs, tablets and mobile. The result is that Ease Live helps its customers create exciting new advertising inventory and monetization opportunities.

    “Interactivity on mobile and tablets drives sports fan engagement and lengthens duration of viewing, leading to increased revenue opportunities,” said Ease Live CEO Kjetil Horneland. “The new Connected TV interactivity we’re launching at IBC enables sports leagues, broadcasters and OTT service providers to make all of this possible on the primary screen in the home, the Connected TV, and control the experience through the TV remote. In addition, we are launching a new Soccer pack, that is pre-integrated with feeds from leading sports data providers. By combining ease of launch with device universality and packs for all major sports, Ease Live enables broadcasters and operators to get interactive quickly on all connected devices, while fans can get closer to the action through interacting however they choose, with the sport they love.”

  • DistroTV expands distribution, now streaming free on VIZIO Smart TVs

    DistroTV expands distribution, now streaming free on VIZIO Smart TVs

    Mumbai: DistroTV, the nation’s largest, independent, free, ad-supported streaming TV (Fast) app on Friday announced that it is expanding its content offerings to Vizio. Now millions of Vizio users can stream DistroTV’s impressive and diverse content lineup — 270 channels and growing plus thousands of hours of VOD content — for free, anytime on the VIZIO Smart TV platform.

    DistroTV features over 270 multicultural channels and is growing, with everything from news, sports, movies, music & entertainment, and lifestyle content. This includes original content and new channel offerings that cater to English, Southeast Asian / Indian and Spanish-speaking audiences, as well as a recently released channel bundle that targets the African community. It is available to stream for free in over 60 markets through its apps on streaming devices and smart TVs, as well as worldwide on the web through Distro.tv, the platform truly features something for every viewer. No registration, sign-up, or fees are required.

    DistroTV’s comprehensive streaming library includes:

    -An impressive wave of new channels available to stream for free that appeal to DistroTV’s core US, UK, and Canadian audiences which includes a total of.

    -45 sports channels, with the most diverse collection of live & linear mainstream sports, combat sports, niche sports and outdoors channels, like stadium, beIN Sports Xtra, Swerve Sports, Impact Wrestling Channel, Fightnetwork, Wired2Fish, ACL Cornhole, MotoAmerica TV and FuelTV.

    -Broad array of diverse movies & entertainment channels including CineLife by Magnolia Pictures, Kweli TV, Watch It Scream, FrightFlix, Bowery Classics, Dark Matter, CinePride and many more.

    -13 documentary channels, including Goalcast, Magellan TV, Beautiful Planet & True History.
     
    -Notable new additions to the entertainment, lifestyle & food category, including AXS TV Now, Trace Urban, Bite, Planet Eat, and GustoTV.

    -A total of 21 spanish-language channels are available in North America, such as Estrella, beIN Sports XTRA Ñ, Top Cine, Canela.TV, Trace Latina, Casa Comedy and Spanglish and more spanish language entertainment, movie, documentaries, news and sports channels.

    -36 live streaming DistroTV Desi South Asian news, entertainment, and music channels featuring WION, TimesNow, Mastiii, Epic, MirrorNow, BritAsia and much more.

    -African channel bundle, DistroTV Africa, featuring 11 entertainment and music-oriented channels available to stream for free.

    -Providing audiences in the US and Canada with home screen access to must-have apps like Apple TV+, BET+, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, FuboTV, Netflix, Paramount+, Peacock, Prime Video and YouTube TV, VIZIO users now have round-the-clock access to DistroTV.

    -VIZIO and DistroTV are aligned in their missions to provide content and access for everyone; including movies and syndicated TV shows in the sports, kids and family, news, lifestyle, gaming, and music categories, and more.

    “We are thrilled to join the VIZIO family, particularly at a time when we are continuing to grow our viewership and channel content at a rapid pace,” said DistroScale co-founder & CEO Navdeep Saini. “By expanding our distribution via VIZIO Smart TVs, we can continue to provide audiences with the content they crave, and all while maintaining our FAST no-sign up, credit card or email required model.”

    DistroScale Country Head-India Vikas Khanchandani said, “US has over 87 per cent homes with at least one Connected TV and other western countries are seeing scale as well. Vizio is one of the largest CTV players in the US market and brings access to a large viewership base within Vizio for Indian content owners. It’s an opportunity to tap into the large advertising market in the US and other western countries and simultaneously combat piracy in those markets. FAST (Free Ad Supported Television) is bringing the lean-back linear experience for users on television and is solving for content discovery with sharper defined cohorts. Distro is focussed on building a very strong South Asian bouquet of content for the diaspora audiences across the world and bring in the ad monetisation through its vast global advertising footprint.”

    “VIZIO appreciates DistroTV’s dedication to building personalized experiences for today’s streaming audience,” said VIZIO’s senior director of business development Chris Tanquary. “VIZIO strives to be a place where viewers have endless entertainment options across all categories and genres so there is something for everyone,” Tanquary added.