Vidaa is teaming up with video ad delivery provider SeaChange International to expand free ad-supported content channels on connected TVs running Vidaa’s operating system and content platform, as well as other devices.
The partners said they jointly developed a streaming and ad insertion production, with Vidaa providing an interface to implement SeaChange’s Xstream platform onto millions of Vidaa-powered connected TVs. The goal is to allow any content owner or creator to quickly launch their own free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels, distributed on the “Vidaa tv” service.
Vidaa provides preinstalled smart TV OS on Hisense-branded and other connected TVs and the joint effort will also see the company expand from the connected TV space into additional devices including mobile and tablets.
Guy Edri, president at Vidaa, said in a statement that its mission is to provide a holistic experience for consumers, centered on content.
“The adoption of content services on Connected TVs is rapid and by partnering with SeaChange we will accelerate our mission to provide the best customer experience and expand our service reach beyond our own operating system and on to other connected devices,” Edri continued.
Chris Klimmer, chief revenue officer at SeaChange, in a statement highlighted the opportunity of aggregation platforms on connected TVs as content owners and TV makers look to make money from ad-supported channels.
“Connected TVs are already the central entertainment device in many households. We embrace the trend to integrate our streaming and advertising technology with Connected TVs,” Klimmer stated. “Content owners continue to use aggregation platforms on Connected TVs and other devices to create additional revenue streams via FAST channel technology. By partnering with VIDAA, we help content owners and TV manufacturers alike to monetize content through advertising.”
Aggregation platforms for the vast pool of streaming content, including free ad-supported TV, have been cropping up. Verizon earlier this year announced plans to launch aggregation platform +Play for services across customer subscriptions. Oneflix is one of the latest aggregator platforms for streaming video, launching a platform at the end of March for paid subscriptions like Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Amazon, Hulu, and many others, with smart TV apps in the works as well as access to FAST services.
Oneflix founder Habib Kamara in a statement pointed out that most people who switch from traditional TV to streaming are doing so to save money, but that added together costs of all the major streaming services “can actually end up being significantly more expensive than cable or traditional TV.”
“And while there are a couple of smaller free streaming services out there to cater to that market, nobody has really solved the problem of aggregation all the free content in one place for easy access,” Kamara continued.