Vidgo, a fledgling virtual MVPD that recently announced an overhaul to its own streaming TV service, will be the first to bundle Cinedigm’s upcoming flagship Cineverse AVOD offering into its content lineup, the companies announced Wednesday.
Cinedigm said its Matchpoint platform, which powers Cineverse, will act as a while-label platform to deliver the AVOD experience for Vidgo’s subscribers.
Cinedigm’s Cineverse brings the company’s streaming services and free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels under one umbrella, with the app officially debuting on September 15. Distribution on Vidgo is coming this fall, bringing the Cineverse library of over 10,000 on-demand titles and portfolio of FAST channels. At launch, those include Fandor, Screambox, RetroCrush, The Bob Ross Channel, The Dove Channel, AsianCrush, El Ray Network, Bloody Disgusting, and Comedy Dynamics, among others.
According to the announcement, Cineverse will be integrated directly into Vidgo’s mobile apps, connected TV apps and website, and available to subscribers at no additional cost. Vidgo launched in 2018 as a low-cost option for entertainment, news, and sports content. When the vMVPD first launhed, watching on-demand content was not an option on the pared down Vidgo streaming TV service.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Vidgo to offer the first bundling of our new flagship streaming service Cineverse with a top vMVPD,” said Cinedigm SVP of Revenue Daniel Schneider, in a statement. “Cinedigm remains focused on reaching new audiences and expanding distribution of our branded enthusiast channels and broad catalog of content across all genres.
Cinedigm executives during the company’s most recent earnings call said that its first focus is on third-party carriage deals with hardware manufacturers and other platforms for Cineverse, which were currently in discussion, followed by building up users and advertising KPIs and impressions.
“We believe in the Freedom to be Entertained and Cinedigm’s channels are just that – freedom to select from a broad range of titles, themes and fun,” said Derek Mattsson, Vidgo CEO, in a statement.
As for Vidgo content, the company recently announced a revamp of its vMVPD service to cater to its base of customers focused in more rural areas, with a greater focus on sports and news at an affordable price.Vidgo disclosed it will carry around 80% of all college football games on TV.
As NextTV reported, Vidgo has also doubled down on right-leaning content, as it will give former Fox News personality Bill O’Rielly his own weekly show. Vidgo also carries the controversial One America News Network (the only remaining nationally distributed pay TV service to do so per NextTV), which has been previously dropped by DirecTV and most recently Verizon Fios.