Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Feb 28, 2015 22:07:51 GMT -6
variety.com/2015/digital/news/japanese-owned-vod-service-wuaki-tv-expands-european-footprint-with-italy-launch-1201442129/
Japanese-owned VOD Service Wuaki.tv Expands European Footprint With Italy Launch
ROME – Wuaki.tv, the growing Barcelona-based video-on-demand and streaming service with more than 2 million European registered users, has officially launched in Italy, where Netflix is also expected to disembark soon.
Owned by Japan’s e-commerce giant Rakuten, which is billed as the Amazon of Japan, Wuaki.tv is currently VOD market leader in Spain, where it has 1.4 million users, and is also present in the U.K., where it’s been aggressively snapping up rights, and also in France and Germany.
At a Milan presser on Monday, Wuaki founder and CEO Jacinto Roca said they are planning to roll out in 15 other territories by the end of 2015.
In Italy, Wuaki has sealed deals with local distributors BIM Distribuzione, which is owned by Gaul’s Wild Bunch, Leone Film Group, and CG Entertainment, among others. They have Italo deals in place with Hollywood studios, including Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount and Sony.
“Italy is a very interesting market for us,” said Wuaki co-founder Josep Mitja in a statement. “We are sure to attract a high number of users.” Mitja underscored that besides Hollywood films and TV series they intend to serve up “the top European TV series and movies.”
Spain and Italy are the two major European markets where Netflix is still absent. But in Italy, which has 14 million broadband homes, the arrival of Netflix is deemed imminent through a pact with top telco operator Telecom Italia, believed to be in the final stages. On Friday (Feb. 20) in London, Telecom Italia chief exec Marco Patuano confirmed his ongoing talks with Netflix for the first time.
Asked by Variety about the Telecom Italia talks, Netflix head of communications for Europe simply said they are “intent on completing our global expansion over the coming two years.”
Patuano has also announced Telecom Italia plans for hefty investments to bolster broadband speed in Italy, where slow Internet is considered a major stumbling block to over-the-top content delivery.
Wuaki.tv, which touts itself as a “game-changer” in the sector, uses a hybrid business model offering customers a choice between a la carte rental or purchase of the latest movies and TV series, or a monthly subscription service.
Japanese-owned VOD Service Wuaki.tv Expands European Footprint With Italy Launch
ROME – Wuaki.tv, the growing Barcelona-based video-on-demand and streaming service with more than 2 million European registered users, has officially launched in Italy, where Netflix is also expected to disembark soon.
Owned by Japan’s e-commerce giant Rakuten, which is billed as the Amazon of Japan, Wuaki.tv is currently VOD market leader in Spain, where it has 1.4 million users, and is also present in the U.K., where it’s been aggressively snapping up rights, and also in France and Germany.
At a Milan presser on Monday, Wuaki founder and CEO Jacinto Roca said they are planning to roll out in 15 other territories by the end of 2015.
In Italy, Wuaki has sealed deals with local distributors BIM Distribuzione, which is owned by Gaul’s Wild Bunch, Leone Film Group, and CG Entertainment, among others. They have Italo deals in place with Hollywood studios, including Disney, Warner Bros., Paramount and Sony.
“Italy is a very interesting market for us,” said Wuaki co-founder Josep Mitja in a statement. “We are sure to attract a high number of users.” Mitja underscored that besides Hollywood films and TV series they intend to serve up “the top European TV series and movies.”
Spain and Italy are the two major European markets where Netflix is still absent. But in Italy, which has 14 million broadband homes, the arrival of Netflix is deemed imminent through a pact with top telco operator Telecom Italia, believed to be in the final stages. On Friday (Feb. 20) in London, Telecom Italia chief exec Marco Patuano confirmed his ongoing talks with Netflix for the first time.
Asked by Variety about the Telecom Italia talks, Netflix head of communications for Europe simply said they are “intent on completing our global expansion over the coming two years.”
Patuano has also announced Telecom Italia plans for hefty investments to bolster broadband speed in Italy, where slow Internet is considered a major stumbling block to over-the-top content delivery.
Wuaki.tv, which touts itself as a “game-changer” in the sector, uses a hybrid business model offering customers a choice between a la carte rental or purchase of the latest movies and TV series, or a monthly subscription service.