TV Everywhere and OTT
OTT services have long been associated with the delivery of on-demand content. The likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime, and HBO instantly spring to mind when you think of video streaming websites and apps. That’s not to say traditional linear TV has been left behind. Here are 5 reasons we believe linear TV has a formidable future in OTT. In recent years, in fact, we’ve seen more broadcasters and operators expanding into the OTT market, offering their customers TV Everywhere solutions that combine both linear tv channels and on-demand content.
DTVE’s recent annual survey reported 43.5% of respondents agreed that SVOD OTT services comprising both on-demand and linear channels are a very promising business model. No doubt because TV Everywhere solutions not only bolster the broadcasters existing at home offering but also expand the customer experience. With OTT, their users are no longer tied to the living room and can watch the content they want, on any device, anywhere. In fact, the same survey reported that 56.8% believe being able to watch content inside and outside of the home on multiple devices was one of the most compelling reasons to sign up to an OTT TV service in the first place.
There’s no denying though that user experience and behavior differ considerably between linear TV and VOD services. Linear services, for example, need less interaction; users only have to change channels to get instant access to live content. VOD services, on the other hand, require users to browse through a content library for much longer to find what they want to watch. Successful TV Everywhere solutions combine elements of both without being overly complex.
We’ve operated successful consumer OTT services for over seven years in Scandinavia and Germany (Magine TV, Plejmo). Our templated B2B OTT solutions are based on our proven consumer services and in particular Magine TV, which seamlessly blends linear channels with on-demand and catch-up content. Our OTT solutions are user-friendly and enable our partners to successfully monetize their VOD content and/or linear TV channels.
We focus on building OTT services that make it easy for viewers to discover great content. Our partners can independently curate their service’s start page via the Magine Console and hero select content. Their users can also create a personal list of their favourite linear channels, add content to their watchlist to enjoy later, and explore catch-up and VOD content in curated category modules.
Want to find out more about our experience and OTT solutions? Get in touch to request a demo or speak to a member of the Magine Pro team. We can help you launch your own TV Everywhere solution today!
Introducing Draken Film by Magine Pro
At Magine Pro we don’t just build OTT services for new businesses, we also work with existing OTT services that are looking to change their current platform provider. We pride ourselves in being able to improve services, tech and cost efficiency, without impacting the customer experience.
Earlier this year, we partnered with Göteborg Film Festival’s digital film service, Draken Film. Draken Film is home to more than 300 films from around the world with new movies released every week, alongside background material, interviews and inspiration. It’s simply a film festival all year round!
Draken Film sought our help to enhance their service, improve customer experience and provide better quality. Using Magine API’s we successfully integrated Draken Film’s existing web-only streaming service onto the Magine Pro platform, without downtime affecting their users. We also worked with them to build and launch new iOS and Android apps, enabling their subscribers to sign in and enjoy Draken Film on mobile devices.
Check out the case study to find out more about our partnership with Draken Film here.
Take a sneak peek at the new Draken Film app…
If you’re looking to change your OTT platform provider and want to find out more about Magine Pro solutions and services get in touch! We can help you enhance your existing services and/or launch something entirely new. You can take a closer look at our global OTT solutions and services here and check out our references.
5 reasons to outsource your OTT technology, not build it yourself
Digital TV Europe’s 2018 annual survey found that 84.9% of respondents would choose to outsource all or parts of their OTT build and management to a platform provider.
If you’re thinking of building an OTT service but you’re still on the fence about whether to do so in-house or outsource, we can help! We’ve outlined five reasons we believe outsourcing to be the best option for both big and small new market entrants.
QUICK RETURN ON INVESTMENT
Building an OTT service in-house requires considerable up-front investment. Implementing technical infrastructure and hiring experienced teams, that are capable of building and managing an OTT platform, will burden even the healthiest balance sheet. The setup costs alone represent a good chunk of capital that could be better used for content production and marketing. And even after launch, it will take some time to build a subscriber base, so it’s unlikely you’ll see a return on your investment for a good few months.
Outsourcing the build to a proven OTT platform provider, like Magine Pro, is the most cost-efficient way to create a video streaming service. Providers like us already have the tech and professional teams in place to help you build and launch your OTT business for a more manageable fixed or flexible fee. You’re certain to see a much quicker return on investment.
SPEED TO MARKET
Setting up an OTT service from scratch isn’t just costly, it’s also time intensive. It can weeks or even months to put the tech in place and build your teams, and that’s before you’ve finalised content rights or planned a launch strategy.
Speed to market should be a priority, especially if you need to start recouping some of the initial in-house investment costs. Rushing to launch a new service, however, means you risk releasing a sub-par service that’s not been effectively tried or tested. And although subscribers will sign up, they may not return.
Outsourcing to an experienced service provider relieves a lot of the time pressure. With their existing tech and support, you’re guaranteed a much quicker time to market, enabling you to focus your time and capital on launch and marketing efforts.
REGULAR DEVELOPMENT & INNOVATION
The cost of running and maintaining an in-house service can be high, particularly as your subscriber numbers will take a while to elevate after launch. And over time you’ll also need to invest more capital to cover development costs. That means leaving enough in the kitty for necessary service changes, updates or new features based on your user feedback and behaviour.
Outsourcing your OTT service build to an experienced provider means this is all taken care of as part of a fixed setup fee. You’re also guaranteed a tried and tested service that’s market proven.
PROFESSIONAL CUSTOMER & SERVICE SUPPORT
It requires experienced teams to build and maintain an OTT service as well as trained customer support agents to keep your subscribers happy and engaged. Good customer care, in particular, is essential as it builds trust and loyalty, which ultimately reduces churn and can even encourage customers to make additional purchases, such as package upgrades, later on.
As a full end-to-end OTT service provider, Magine Pro offers more than just the tech. We give our partners all the support they need to set up and maintain a great service, including guidance on marketing, sales, and customer care.
PROVEN EXPERIENCE
An experienced team will help you build a strong in-house product alongside give you a greater understanding of the industry and market. And as your service expands, your team will also need to. Building a team of engineers, marketing professionals and customer service agents come at a cost, whether you do so in-house or outsource to multiple service providers.
One experience provider who offers a full end-to-end service will already have the teams in place. Magine Pro, for example, has over six years experience operating direct-to-consumer businesses in Scandinavia and Germany. Because of this, we have close relations and a deep understanding of the content industry and consumers. We also use data generated by our analytics platform to ensure the continuous and rapid development of all our partner’s services based on our in-market consumer services.
You can find out more about Magine Pro’s global OTT platforms and services here and read more of our references. To get updates on our latest news, products, and blog posts, sign up for our monthly e-newsletter.
Customize and Curate your own OTT Service
Content drives users to sign up to video streaming services and more importantly, encourages them to come back and continue paying subscription charges every month. Consistently adding new and engaging content to your service is necessary but you can also change the way existing content is displayed to refresh your service and entice users to watch content they haven’t yet seen. In fact, Netflix frequently changes their asset’s artwork. They estimate you have less than 90 seconds to capture a users attention before they move on to another task and artwork has the biggest influence on what people choose to watch.
We provide our partners with the tools to do the same. Our comprehensive web-based management system, the Magine Pro Console enables them to independently curate and manage their own Magine Pro services. Partners can ingest VOD directly into their service via the Console and assemble content into series and category collections. It’s also possible to curate the service’s start page with featured content and frequently change artwork with immediate effect.
That’s not all; we also understand how important metadata is to discovery. Using the Console our partners can add and edit their asset’s metadata, including summaries, directors, and cast. This not only helps users discover great content in the service but also aids discovery of the service and content on the web through search engine optimization.
Our Magine Pro Premium partners, who sell direct to the consumer, can also manage their user accounts, payments, ads and subscription packages through the Console and get comprehensive insights into their user behavior, service usage, and operational analytics, enabling them to manage churn and make smart business decisions fast.
Sneak peek at the Magine Pro Console:
The Magine Pro Console is designed to give you full control and features everything you need to set up and run a successful OTT service. Find out more about the Magine Pro Console and see how it supports our Pioneer and Premium video services here. You can also request a demo today and discover how easy it is to curate and manage your own OTT service.
Magine TV takes the top spot as the best streaming provider in Germany
This week, Stiftung Warentest, a trusted German consumer organization that investigates and compares good and services, announced our consumer service, Magine TV, emerged victorious in a comparison of live TV streaming services in Germany. The comparison evaluated Magine TV, Zattoo, Waipu, TV Spielfilm Live, and Coufunk as well as the free online offerings from German broadcasters ARD and ZDF on factors like price-performance ratio, availability of stations, ease of use, picture and sound quality as well as data privacy. After testing, Stiftung Warentest concluded Magine TV to be the best provider of live TV streaming services in Germany for both free and pay TV streaming.
Magine TV was actually founded at our HQ in Sweden in 2012. In 2015, we expanded into the German market with Magine TV Deutschland. Magine TV Deutschland offers the same great service with free and pay TV packages that don’t tie users into long-term binding contracts. In fact, our commitment to provide users with great content was also mentioned in the Stiftung Warentest report, as Magine TV was the only provider in the test to offer stations from German broadcasters ProSiebenSat.1 and the RTL Group.
We continue to run our consumer services, Magine TV and Plejmo, to this day. We’ve even expanded our operations in recent years. Leveraging our technology, platform, and experience we launched Magine Pro, which provides cost-efficient and scalable live, linear TV and Video-On-Demand services for our B2B partners. Our templated OTT solutions offer the same user-friendly interface and experience as Magine TV (now powered by the Magine Pro platform) as the template was built based on our learnings. As a result, all Magine Pro partner solutions share in the success of Magine TV.
Take a closer look at the Magine TV service:
Although templated, all Magine Pro solutions are customisable. Our partners can add additional features and services and brand their platform with their own colour palettes and logos. We also provide all the tools and support they need to successfully launch, manage and grow their own OTT business.
You can find out more about Magine Pro’s OTT platforms and services here and check out our references. Get in touch if you would like to hear more about Magine TV’s recent recognition.
To get updates on our latest news, products, and blog posts, sign up for our monthly e-newsletter.
Introducing FlixOlé, the home of Spanish Cinema by Magine Pro
Last year we partnered with Dinamedia, one of the world’s largest Spanish movie libraries, to build and launch their global SVOD service, FlixOlé. FlixOlé is available to audiences around the world and is home to thousands of Spanish and international film titles, including current and old classics that have been restored and digitized. We launched their Samsung Tizen app within two weeks, followed shortly after by the FlixOlé web service, iOS, and Android apps.
In preparation for launch, FlixOlé put a solid subscriber acquisition strategy in place. Alongside marketing and digital activities, FlixOlé formed a partnership with Spanish bank CaixaBank. Customers who signed up for loans received a Smart TV and FlixOlé subscription at a discounted rate. Subscriber acquisition strategies like this are fantastic for new OTT service entrants, in fact, more than 50% of FlixOlé’s initial subscriber base was a result of this partnership and the service continues to grow.
Earlier this month, Orange Spain also announced it was also adding FlixOlé to its Orange TV offer with a first-month-free trial for all new subscribers.
Head over to the home of Spanish cinema, FlixOlé now to sign up to the service directly and start watching fantastic films. You can also check out our case study to learn more about our partnership, Magine Pro tech and the build process.
Take a sneak peek at the FlixOlé film service powered by Magine Pro:
At Magine Pro, we enable our partners to hit the ground running with a branded OTT service that’s secure and scalable. Our Premium product enables our partners to launch in global markets and monetize their content with an off-the-shelf OTT service on web and native iOS and Android apps. We also provide Apple TV, Android TV and Smart TV apps for the big screen through our Premium X offering, alongside marketing and growth support to help our partners build their subscriber base.
You can find out more about Magine Pro’s global OTT platforms and services here and read more of our references. To get updates on our latest news, products, and blog posts, sign up for our monthly e-newsletter.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Read more about FlixOlé in the press:
Put your best face forward: build a recognisable OTT brand
Branding is as important for new and small businesses as it is for the big guys with big budgets. Your branding tells your customer who you are as a company. It’s also more than just logos and slogans, it involves every part of the customer experience, from your OTT service to your website and even customer care.
Brand perception is how consumers view your brand. You can influence it, but you can’t control it. Every interaction a customer has with your company should be positive from day one. Consumers are more likely to invest in products or services that are trusted and recommended by their peers, which is why word of mouth is the most effective way to build awareness, particularly for new or small businesses that have limited marketing budgets. It takes time to build a positive brand perception though, but with commitment, a clear strategy and consistency, you’re on the right track.
For any new business, it’s essential to lay a strong foundation. Brand recognition doesn’t happen overnight, to stand out from the competition you need a clear and easy to recognise design aesthetic. Your choice of logo, colours, and fonts can impact customer perception, so make sure you put your best face forward when building your brand.
At Magine Pro we appreciate how important your branding is to your business, especially for new OTT service entrants. Our templated OTT web services and apps are customisable, enabling you to add your own logo, unique brand colours, and content. You can tailor your service entirely to you and provide customers an engaging experience from sign up.
Customise your own OTT service. You can choose light or dark themes, add your logo, brand colours, and upload as much content as you like!
We also work with you to build a positive and memorable brand experience for your customers. Leveraging our years of consumer experience, we can support you with marketing strategies and customer care. We provide 1st, 2nd or 3rd line customer support systems with our services. From experience, we know that great customer service builds trust and loyalty, reduces churns and better still increases the likelihood of positive peer recommendation.
You can find out more about our branded video services and products on our website. Get in touch if you’re keen to get up and running with an OTT service that heroes your brand and content.
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day at Magine
Last month we had the privilege of taking part in Introduce A Girl to Engineering Day. A yearly event in Sweden where tech companies open their offices for girls aged between 13-19 years to get a hands-on introduction to engineering.
The event is organized by Womengineer, whose goal it is to have equal numbers of men and women graduate as engineers by 2030. IGEDay is one step towards accomplishing it as the day aims to inspire future female engineers with practical learning experiences. Magine is extremely proud to be part of the journey, and this year we welcomed 20 girls who selected us to be their host company.
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day at Magine
“The IGEDay has been the most unexpected awesome day that I’ve had. The nerves I started the day with turned pretty fast into excitement and it was amazing to walk the girls through solving the challenges.” – Camelia Smeria, engineer at Magine
During IGEDay we ventured into the programming landscape and introduced the girls to hardware and software, programming arduinos using a visual programming language based on scratch. We also explored the importance of project management and put it into practice by designing and creating demo OTT services.
Ivett Backlund, an engineer at Magine who supported the girls during the day shares her thoughts on the experience, “It was exciting to see how fast our visitors got the technical concepts like agile, user-centric design and product ownership and it was fascinating seeing them create solutions to the services they use every day.”
Get in touch to find out more about events and career opportunities at Magine.
VIDEO: Launching a Video Service in a Saturated Market
Magine Pro recently attended the Connected Media Europe exhibition and conference at BVE in London, one of the industry’s most important events for exploring cutting-edge technologies and trends in broadcasting, video production, and distribution. BVE is a key destination for media professionals, providing invaluable insights into how to deliver content seamlessly across devices, reach diverse audiences, and drive engagement in today’s competitive media landscape.
This year’s event was packed with innovative discussions, solutions, and forward-thinking approaches to content delivery. Among the highlights was our General Manager, Matthew Wilkinson, participating in a conversation with journalist and presenter, Bridgid Nzekwu, on the challenges of launching a video service in a highly competitive market.
Watch the Interview:
Key Takeaways from the Interview
During the interview, Matthew shared his expertise in building successful OTT (Over-the-Top) services, particularly for niche content providers. He discussed:
- Targeting Specific Audiences: In a market flooded with video services, understanding and identifying your core audience is more critical than ever. Matthew delves into the importance of audience segmentation and tailoring content to meet their unique needs and preferences.
- Monetization Strategies: The conversation explored the various ways video services can drive revenue, including hybrid models that combine subscription, ad-supported (AVOD), and transactional (TVOD).
- Creating a Unique Value Proposition: For OTT services to stand out, they must offer something unique. Whether it’s exclusive content, innovative features, or exceptional user experiences, carving out a distinct niche is essential for long-term success.
- The Role of Data and Insights: Leveraging data to understand viewing behaviours and refine offerings can give providers a competitive edge.
What Makes Magine Pro Different?
As a leading OTT technology provider, Magine Pro works closely with clients to develop customized streaming solutions that meet the challenges of today’s media landscape. Our white-label streaming platform helps providers of all sizes—from startups to established networks—launch and scale their video services efficiently.
Whether you’re creating a platform for a global audience or a highly targeted niche market, Magine Pro’s tools and expertise are designed to ensure your service is profitable, engaging, and sustainable. You can learn more about Magine Pro’s professional video solutions here. We would love to hear from you if you would like to discuss our products, find out more about our services or get started.
Mobile apps designed to enhance marketing and engage your audience
Mobile apps have become increasingly popular amongst brands as they look to stay ahead of the competition and expand their digital touch points. Their versatility, ability to elevate marketing efforts and enhance the customer experience also makes them relevant to all industry sectors, including education, entertainment, and business.
If you’re looking for new and exciting ways to engage or even re-engage your audience, you’ve come to the right place. Magine Pro create branded video apps that are perfect for promoting your latest marketing campaign, product or even event. In 2017, we partnered with the Content Innovation Awards, a premier event in Cannes that celebrates innovation in content, distribution, and delivery worldwide. Ahead of the event we built and launched their branded iOS app, which enabled the award attendees to browse through the nominated candidates and view playable movies and series within the nominated content categories. The app was also designed to be updated in real-time during the ceremony as the winners in each category were announced.
As a marketing tool, the CIA app built a buzz around the awards ceremony and provided a personal interactive experience for guests during the event. As a result, the organisers were able to successfully engage with their audience pre, during and even post-event.
Here’s a sneak peek at the Content Innovation Awards app:
We not only build apps but can also partner as a technology provider. This year we partnered with The Data Innovation Summit 2018. Our proven streaming technology powered the live stream on their website for those interested in the event but unable to attend.
You can find out more about our video apps and solutions here and check out our references. Get in touch if you would like to find out how Magine Pro can help you create a video app to promote your campaign, product or event.