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Buyers Profile: Marcos Milanez, chief content officer, Rakuten TV

In this ongoing series, TBI speaks to key buyers about the shows they want and the models being used to pay for them. Here, Marcos Milanez, chief content officer at Barcelona-based, European VOD service Rakuten TV, shares his service’s focus on positive programming, growing FAST offering and considered approach to acquisitions. What kind of shows […]

TBI’s 2024 Predictions: Cédric Dufour, CEO, Rakuten TV

2024 is set to be a pivotal year for the global content industry, so TBI has enlisted some of the biggest names in the business to share their thoughts on the major trends of the next 12 months and how they’re going to capitalise on them. Here, Cédric Dufour, CEO of streaming service Rakuten TV, […]

‘TED Talks’ moves onto FAST channel after deal with Rakuten TV

Streaming platform Rakuten TV has added to its FAST channels portfolio with the launch of TED talks. The TED: Ideas worth spreading channel, which features videos from influential expert speakers on education, business, science, technology, and creativity, is now available on the platform in the UK, Netherlands, and the Nordics. TED, a non-profit organisation headed […]

Quintus Studios launches doc-focused FAST channel

German AVOD operator and distributor Quintus Studios has partnered with VOD platform Rakuten TV to launch a new FAST channel, Radical Docs. This new factual channel features a mix of real world and investigative stories, exploring the tougher side of life in some of the world’s most unforgiving locations whilst also investigating shocking untold stories. […]

Factual Round up: UKTV & ZDF pick up Scorpion TV docs; ‘Cops’ comes to social media; Rakuten TV launches ‘Seve’

UKTV & ZDF pick up Scorpion TV docs UKTV, ZDF and others have struck deals with UK-based indie distributor Scorpion TV for a slew of factual content. UKTV has acquired Children’s Ward (7 x 30-minutes) for its entertainment channel W. Originally produced by Chwarel for BBC Wales, the series explores heart-warming stories from one of the busiest children’s […]

Rakuten TV launches sports doc-focused Rakuten Stories channel

Streaming service Rakuten TV has launched Rakuten Stories, a new free, ad-supported linear channel focused on “inspirational” sports documentaries. Among its original and exclusive offerings is the docuseries The Giants, which follows the careers of Konishiki, Musashimaru, Takamiyama and Akebono – sumo wrestling legends who rose from humble beginnings in Hawaii to become the first […]

Rakuten TV preps more than 90 pan-European FAST channels

Streaming service Rakuten TV is ramping up its presence across Europe by launching more than 90 new ad-supported linear channels. The free-to-watch networks will be available across 42 European markets, with Rakuten curating global and local entertainment programming for the themed services. The line-up will vary in each territory but content will include movies, entertainment […]

ViacomCBS & Rakuten join forces to take kids’ streamer Nick+ to Japan

US-based ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI) has signed a long-term agreement with Japan’s Rakuten Group to bring Nickelodeon’s kids’ streaming service Nick+ to Japanese VOD platform Rakuten TV. Nick+ will launch on Rakuten TV on 28 April, bringing Nickelodeon shows such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Paw Patrol, Blaze And The Monster Machines, Bubble Guppies and Dora The Explorer to Japanese […]

Starzplay strikes Rakuten TV distribution across Europe

OTT operator Rakuten TV has struck a deal that will see the international streaming service from US cabler Starz become available via its platform across Europe. Starzplay will offer exclusive access to original series, acquired content and movies to viewers in Spain, the UK, Italy, France and Germany via Rakuten TV. The streamer costs £4.99 […]