Cinedigm unveiled today it will combine 15 FAST channels and over 15,000 on-demand titles into its flagship streaming service Cineverse, set to launch at the end of August.
The ad-supported service will initially feature a lineup of over 15 free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels, showcasing both Cinedigm-owned and third-party content. Cineverse will come with an integrated program guide, allowing users to easily browse between channels.
News of the platform’s upcoming debut comes shortly after Cinedigm launched several FAST channels in June. The company brought a Spanish dubbed version of The Bob Ross Channel to Roku, and Cinedigm later launched a dedicated Elvis Presley channel for seven streaming platforms.
Though Cineverse’s current catalog is set to be free, Cinedigm plans to roll out a premium, ad-free version of the platform sometime this fall. Viewers will also have the option to rent select Hollywood movie releases.
Cineverse will first be made available on iOS, Android, Roku, Samsung and desktop devices. Cinedigm intends to release the platform on smart TVs like Amazon’s Fire TV and LG later this year.
The company also announced Cineverse will be powered by an enhanced version of Cinedigm’s Matchpoint Blueprint platform, the underlying framework behind Cinedigm’s OTT business as well as its operated third-party streaming channels.
Matchpoint leverages AI and machine learning to help streamline content preparation and delivery tasks. Specifically, things like automated ad break creation, speech-to-context conversions, content recommendations and more. The platform also provides robust analytics for key performance indicators (KPIs).
Tony Huidor, chief technology and product officer at Cinedigm, pointed out Matchpoint can deliver content at scale to over 75 different digital platforms.
"We are pleased with the achievements that have been made to-date and look forward to showing how our technology, along with some new innovative features, will enhance the user experience for all of our channels - starting with our forthcoming service, Cineverse,” Huidor said in a statement.
Cinedigm is also incorporating interactive elements into the service, enabling users to earn loyalty points for digital prizes. It’s bringing these features with the help of LiveLike, an audience engagement platform.
Cinedigm tapped LiveLike last December to update the user interfaces of Cinedigm’s Fandor and Screambox streaming services. Further attempting to boost interactivity, Cinedigm in January partnered with augmented reality (AR) company Nreal, to stream content from three Cinedigm channels via Nreal’s Light AR headset.