Viva Entertainment Group Inc (OTTV)

[powerbattles]

New Venture Creates Bigger Hispanic Cross-Platform Player.

Consumers are accessing content in all new ways and as media companies respond, they’re forming alliances that previously wouldn’t have existed. The latest example comes courtesy of Oi2 Media, the Hispanic-targeted radio and digital syndication company, which has signed an agreement with digital media tech company Viva Entertainment Group to develop a new digital video venture.

“People in today’s world consume information and entertainment via multiple channels and media outlets,” Oi2 Media chief executive Anthony Hernandez says. “We see the trends in fragmentation in consumer habits and feel a compelling reason to be there when and where our audience and consumer is, no matter on what platform.”

Under the terms of the joint venture—in which Oi2 will hold a controlling 51% stake—the two companies will work together to create new digitally delivered over-the-top television content powered by Viva’s backend technology platform. As part of the venture, Viva will also provide Oi2 TV with a string of live TV channels for a subscription-based service that will be marketed via the Oi2 Media app. “With an integration team and sales force of several dozen, we’re targeting the launch for midsummer,” Viva CEO Johnny Falcones says.

Oi2 Media’s radio syndication and services unit works with brands such as Fox Deportes Radio and ESPN Deportes Radio. Among the company’s commitments in the new partnership will be to market the new digital TV product to listeners. “The introduction of concepts such as Oi2 Visual Radio and other new elements that combine pictures with sound is where we need to be,” Hernandez says in the announcement.

Oi2 Media currently has more than 1,700 radio affiliations in 33 countries—including with more than 1,000 local stations—working with broadcasters on content creation, advertising sales and streaming distribution. “With Oi2’s vast platform of hundreds of audio and live TV channel offerings, plus on-demand audio and video content, it positions us to grow our direct reach to consumers everywhere,” Hernandez says.

http://www.insideradio.com/free/new-venture-creates-bigger-hispanic-cross-platform-player/article_8bc7db3a-5b4e-11e6-b7b8-7fad0e033952.html