PARIS, France, 5 October 2023 – Rakuten TV, one of the leading streaming platforms in Europe, has partnered with OKAST Channels to distribute and monetize new premium European-based FAST channels.
Convinced by the portfolio of premium channels proposed by OKAST, Rakuten TV will distribute a selection of FAST channels in different European territories.
OKAST Channels enables content owners to easily create, launch, and distribute FAST channel in a few weeks to key platforms, including now Rakuten TV.
Rakuten TV is known for its large local content offering and its commitment in production to various formats and topics with aiming to highlight powerful and inclusive stories. This new partnership is part of the ambitious strategy of the European consortium FAST4EU, created by OKAST, to develop a European ecosystem to address the FAST market.
OKAST will strengthen its portfolio of channels to offer local audiences in each market content that resonates with their values and culture, thus highlighting the breadth and quality of European programming.
In our continuous effort to bring the best entertainment to viewers across Europe, we are glad to partner with OKAST to expand our FAST offer with their portfolio of premium channels.
Cédric Dufour, CEO and President, Rakuten TV Europe
We’re particularly proud of being able to distribute premium channels on a key platform like Rakuten TV. As a key platform in Europe, and committed to rich and local content, Rakuten TV’s large footprint will give an unprecedent opportunity for European content to reach a bigger audience.
Cédric Monnier, CEO, Co-founder OKAST
About Rakuten TV
Rakuten TV is one of the leading streaming platforms in Europe that combines TVOD (Transactional video-on-demand), AVOD (Advertising video-on-demand) and FAST channels (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV), providing users with a universe of content and making the whole entertainment experience easier. In Spain, the company also provides an SVOD (Subscription video-on-demand) service.
The TVOD service offers an authentic cinematic experience with the latest releases to buy or rent in high audio and video quality. The advertising-supported offering comprises AVOD and FAST services. The AVOD service features more than 10,000 titles available on-demand, including films, documentaries and series from Hollywood and local studios, as well as the catalogue with Original and Exclusive content. The FAST service consists of an extensive line-up of over 500 unique channels among which 100 Owned & Operated (O&O) across Europe, including free linear channels from global networks, top European broadcasters and media groups, and the platform’s own thematic channels with curated content. Rakuten TV is available in 43 European territories and currently reaches more than 140 million households via its branded remote-control button and pre-installed app in Smart TV devices.
Rakuten TV is part of Rakuten Group, Inc., one of the world’s leading internet services companies, offering a wide range of services for consumers and businesses, with a focus on e-commerce, fintech, digital content and communications. Rakuten is the official partner for the NBA’s Golden State Warriors
Download logo and brand guidelines here: https://rak.box.com/s/2g1t15aq5u2gb2mje92taap3vgz27ky5
About M.E.I Group (OKAST.TV)
Founded in 2013 by industry veterans (formerly Canal +, France Television, NewsCorp, Ubisoft, Irdeto, Viaccess), M.E.I. Group builds the OKAST.TV cloud solution for key industry players (TV channel, producer, pure web player, etc.).
A turnkey solution, OKAST.tv makes it easy to deploy a streaming and live audio/video platform, a FAST channel, and to monetize audio, video, and live catalogs. It provides everything from streaming architecture, platform, and design to TV and mobile applications, as well as complete management of payment systems, advertising, and management software including content management, user CRM, and analytics.
OKAST.TV publishes, through its clients, over 500 OTT platforms and premium FAST channels worldwide. Its clients include the SECOM group, TV Monaco, Endemol France, Mediawan, Unifrance, THEMA (Groupe Canal+), Qwest TV, Good!Movies, INA, Au Nom De la Terre, Allindi, IDance Music, MAIF, Accenture, D-Edge, Secrets d’Histoire, Le Figaro Live, Ciné Prime, Vialma, RCS Media, Luxe TV, etc.
The company was incubated by TF1 and Audiens and already counts among its clients major American, European, and Chinese media, companies, agencies, brands, TV, web, cinema, and advertising content producers.
About FAST4EU
OKAST, SECOM Group and Kinostar have joined forces to launch the European FAST4EU Consortium. Co-funded by Creative Europe MEDIA, the consortium’s objective is to accelerate the development of the FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) model in Europe and to provide a technological and content approach adapted to the European market with the capacity to expand internationally. The channel launch support program welcomes all European players, whether broadcasters, producers, or distributors of content.