Jacinto Roca


Rakuten TV mulls wider European expansion

Video-on-demand service Rakuten TV is mulling plans to expand its footprint across more European countries. Speaking exclusively to TBI’s sister title Digital TV Europe, Rakuten TV CEO Jacinto Roca (pictured) said “we have the intention to launch but we don’t have concrete plans yet”. Roca said that heading into next year, the firm might consider […]

Wuaki becomes Rakuten.tv as FC Barcelona deal kicks off

On-demand TV service Wuaki has changed its name to Rakuten.tv, following a global rebranding exercise by its parent company, and, according to Spanish press, has set a goal of doubling its subscriber base over the next two years. Rakuten.tv is currently available in a dozen European markets. Wuaki, originally a Spanish on-demand outfit, was acquired […]

Viki adds Malaysia scripted pack

International online video platform Viki has acquired nearly 100 hours of Malaysian scripted programming after a deal with Primeworks Distribution. The Rakuten-owned site will now exclusively offer popular Malaysian titles such as I Miss You 200% (Rindu Awak 200%), drama series Ariana Rose, and season one of Autumn in My Heart. The agreement marks the […]

Wuaki.TV founder upped to parent firm role

The CEO and founder of Wuaki.TV, Jacinto Roca, has been named executive officer at the SVOD platform’s parent company, Rakuten. This new role will see him coordinating Rakuten’s digital video operations in several regions, though he will remain as CEO of Wuaki, a spokesman confirmed. The expanded role will include strategically aligning the expanding Wuaki […]

Wuaki launches kids SVOD in France

Japanese-owned streaming and download service Wuaki is teaming with French media group Lagardère and launching a kids SVOD service in France. It will team with Lagardère kids channel Gulli, using its brand and content for a €3.99 (US$4.50) a month SVOD streaming service. Gulli shows such as Pokemon, Power Rangers, Naruto and Littlest Petshop (pictured) will […]

Wuaki poaches iTunes exec for OTT

OTT video-on-demand provider Wuaki.tv has hired former Apple iTunes executive Sébastien Janin to head international business development. Janin has worked for iTunes, where he was responsible for launching and managing the roll out of the iTunes film service in Europe and Latin America, for the last eight years. For the last two years he has […]

Wuaki.tv launches in Italy

Movie and TV streaming service Wuaki.tv has launched in Italy, marking its fifth country launch to date. The rental and purchase VOD service said that Italy marks the latest step in its ongoing expansion plan, and that it aims to be in 15 European countries by late 2015. Wuaki is already also available in Spain, […]

Wuaki makes hire, plots Euro expansion

Movie and TV streaming service Wuaki has appointed former Samsung executive Sidharth Jayant as global product director, as the firm looks to continue to expand into new European markets. Jayant will head up product development across a range of platforms and devices – including smart TVs, games consoles, Android and iOS tablets, smartphones, Chromecast sticks, […]

Wuaki follows Netflix with France launch

Wuaki.tv, the streaming video service owned by Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten, has launched in France just two weeks after the launch of Netflix in the country. Wuaki.tv will be available on the interent, game consoles, tablets, PCs smart TVs and via the Chromecast HDMI dongle in France. Unlike Netflix, Wuaki.tv has until now adopted a […]

LA Screenings 2014: Jacinto Roca, Wuaki.tv

As buyers flock to Los Angeles for the May Screenings, TBI speaks with key players about what’s on their 2014 shopping list. Which channel or channels or service are you buying for? We are attending on behalf of Wuaki.tv, a video-on-demand movie and TV streaming service currently available to Spanish and UK audiences.   How […]