Comcast's (NASDAQ: CMCSA) multiscreen publishing subsidiary thePlatform revealed that it is powering NBCUniversal's recently launched international SVOD service, hayu. The streaming service, launched in three countries in March, is using the vendor's mpx platform to deliver on-demand and live video to subscribers.
While it's not surprising that one Comcast-owned company would support another subsidiary of the cable giant -- NBCU's U.S.-based SVOD effort, Seeso, also uses mpx -- thePlatform's involvement strengthens international strategies for both thePlatform and Comcast.
"The successful launch of hayu in the UK, Ireland and Australia shows the next step in thePlatform's on-going commitment to support NBCUniversal International's aim to reach wider audiences with superbly curated content on a robust online video platform," said Neil Berry, VP and managing director, EMEA at thePlatform, in a prepared statement.
Like Seeso, which offers up a variety of new and archived comedy series, hayu focuses on a single content niche -- in this case, reality television such as Keeping Up With The Kardashians and The Real Housewives along with local and regional reality fare. It's also a lower-priced SVOD service compared to Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX) -- monthly subscription rates are £3.99 (USD $5.29) in the UK, €4.99 (USD $5.54) in Ireland and $5.99 (USD $4.57) in Australia.
Outside the U.S., thePlatform has racked up a number of wins when it comes to supporting the SVOD provider space with white-label services. The company signed on Australian subscription service Stan and Canada's shomi in March 2015, for example, as well as Starz Play Arabia in September.
It has also continued to add services to its mpx offering to attract traditional broadcasters, such as Unified Ingest capabilities and a joint effort launched at NAB called theVideoPlatform. Comcast folded thePlatform into its wholesale division as well, in a move to streamline services for Comcast's wholesale customers and offer an expanded service portfolio.
For more:
- see this thePlatform release
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