Streaming technology company Wurl is spearheading the launch of Amogo Networx’s free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels – offered in six total languages. The FAST channels will be made available across the U.S., Europe and Latin America on various connected TV platforms like Samsung TV, LG and Roku.
Amogo Networx is a Germany-based AVOD service touting over 6.8 million subscribers. The company initially built out its content on YouTube and features channels like “Moconomy,” a financial documentary channel, and “Artflix,” which is focused on classic movies and series.
Wurl COO Sean Doherty, Jr. stated Amogo Networx’s growth from a YouTube channel to a full-on movie channel “is a wonderful case study in the possibilities when content creation and delivery of content over the internet meet.”
“Partnering to deliver Amogo’s FAST channels will be another stone in the yellow brick road to our destination: the democratization of access to content through ad supported platforms,” he said.
Wurl has aimed to simplify the FAST creation process, having launched its Global FAST Pass solution in October. In addition to creating and managing a FAST channel, Wurl handles the global distribution and monetization of its content.
Some of Wurl’s other content partners include A&E, AMC Networks as well as Redbox, which is known for its DVD rental kiosks but also has a free live TV channel.
“Our partnership with Wurl marks a turning point as we expand globally and there is no better partner, as we launch our much anticipated FAST channels, to take us to the next level,” stated Amogo executive Peter von Ondarza.
Wurl and Amogo’s partnership comes as other companies leverage FAST to enhance their streaming experience. Distribution-wise, fuboTV last week added Crackle and Popcornflix channels to its FAST lineup. Paramount’s Pluto TV recently added five new categories to its service.
Similarly to what Amogo's doing, Australia-based VA Media is considering branching out from its long-form YouTube content and turning its attention to the broader AVOD landscape with FAST channels. VA Media CEO Mark Ashbridge recently told Fierce Video it's too premature to name potential partners its talking to, but the company is “working through one of the large-scale AVOD providers.”
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Wurl also stands to see further growth in its advertising and marketing services. Mobile technology company AppLovin acquired Wurl for about $430 million – a transaction that closed in April.
AppLovin’s goal is to extend its reach into the CTV market, which makes sense as CTV ad spend is projected to more than double over the next couple of years. AppLovin in April partnered with TvScientific to create a CTV advertising platform for video game developers.