BroadbandTV Corp
![]() | |
Private | |
Industry | Internet Video |
Founded | 2005 |
Founder | Shahrzad Rafati |
Headquarters | 1205 Melville Street Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
Key people | Shahrzad Rafati - (CEO) |
Owner | RTL Group (51%) |
Website |
www |
BroadbandTV Corp is a global media company and smart broadcaster founded by CEO Shahrzad Rafati in 2005. The company is currently the fastest growing and the largest multi-platform network (MPN) worldwide,[1] with head offices in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
In addition to its network, the company provides end-to-end channel management and technology solutions for independent content creators and media companies to grow their presence on YouTube. Current clients include the NBA, FremantleMedia, Sony Pictures and A&E.
In fall 2014, BroadbandTV opened offices in New York City, New York, to host the company's branded entertainment division, which brokers deals between content creators and brands.[2] Further expansion has seen offices open in Brazil, India, France, and most recently Japan.[3]
Investments, Partnerships & Acquisitions
Windfall
In July 2015, BroadbandTV partnered with BMG, Bertelsmann's music publishing and rights subsidiary, to form Windfall - a joint venture promising up-and-coming music talents a comprehensive solution for producing, distributing and profiting from their content across a range of digital platforms. This includes using BMG’s music publishing, rights management and distribution expertise, and BroadbandTV’s online video production, distribution, and monetization tools.[4]
Outspeak
In June 2015, BroadbandTV partnered with The Huffington Post to create a network of citizen video journalists called Outspeak. The new network combines BBTV’s 5.2 billion monthly views and The Huffington Post’s 214 million monthly unique visitors.[5] Partners are eligible to have their content distributed across The Huffington Post’s site and YouTube channel and select creators will have the opportunity to develop their channels into original content series on Outspeak.[6]
YoBoHo
In April 2015, BroadbandTV acquired YoBoHo, which operates the HooplaKidz children's brand on YouTube, along with their 8,000 video library generating over 3 billion YouTube views annually. HooplaKidz is the largest preschool and K-12 educational digital-first producer on YouTube with more than 1.5 million subscribers. All 55 YoBoHo employees joined BroadbandTV.[7]
SocialBlade
In summer 2015, BroadbandTV partnered with leading YouTube analytics website SocialBlade "to supply data and services to its community of users".[8] SocialBlade previously offered partnership through Maker Studios’ entry-level partnership program, Maker Gen.[9]
FremantleMedia
TV production firm FremantleMedia partnered with BroadbandTV to identify and manage user-uploaded content on YouTube for more than 200 shows, including American Idol, The Price Is Right, America's Got Talent, Baywatch, and The X Factor.[10] In September 2014, BBTV signed a multi-year original content agreement with FremantleMedia North America's digital studio, Tiny Riot "to produce original programming in the entertainment, gaming, and music genres."[11]
The NBA
In August 2014, BBTV renewed its existing YouTube rights-management deal with the NBA to manage fan-uploaded content on the site.[12] The NBA channel is the largest professional sports channel on YouTube, boasting over 5.6 million subscribers and more than 2.2 billion page views at the time of the renewal.[13]
RTL Group
In June 2013, BroadbandTV received a $36 million private placement from RTL Group. At the time, this marked the largest private placement into an internet media company in Canada since 2007.[14][15]
Network Brands
- TGN - gamer network on YouTube.[16]
- Opposition - Hip Hop music network on YouTube. Partners include Twista, Logic (rapper), Jahlil Beats, and the website WorldStarHipHop.[17]
- WIMSIC - electronic music network on YouTube.[18]
- HooplaKidz - kids and family digital first producer on YouTube.
- Outspeak - Citizen Journalist network launched in partnership with The Huffington Post.
- Windfall - A strategic alliance with BMG.
- Controle Dois - gamer network on YouTube dedicated to the Brazilian audience.
Affiliate Brands
- TCN - automotive YouTube network.[19]
Technology Brands
BroadbandTV's suite of VISO technology for online video includes:
- VISO Catalyst - for enhancing engagement and optimization on uploaded videos.[20][21]
- VISO NOVI - for detecting and managing fan-uploaded content related to its clients’ properties.
- VISO Magnetics - for connecting brands and advertisers to influential content creators and millennial audiences.
References
- ↑ Spangler, Todd."BroadbandTV Claims No. 1 MCN Spot, Topping Disney’s Maker Studios" Variety
- ↑ Gutelle, Sam. "BroadbandTV Expands To The US With A New Office In New York" Tubefilter
- ↑ Blattberg, Eric. "From war zone to boardroom: The improbable rise of BroadbandTV's Shahrzad Rafati" Digiday
- ↑ Spangler, Todd. "BMG, BroadbandTV Create ‘Windfall’ for Aspiring YouTube Music Stars" Variety
- ↑ Reuters. "BroadbandTV, Huffington Post to launch citizen journalism network" Business Insider
- ↑ Spangler, Todd. "Huffington Post Launches ‘Outspeak’ Digital Video Network with BroadbandTV" Variety
- ↑ Spangler, Todd. "RTL’s BroadbandTV Acquires YoBoHo, YouTube Kids Multichannel Network" Variety
- ↑ Patel, Sahil. "BroadbandTV Cuts Exclusive Deal with YouTube Analytics Site Social Blade" The Video Ink
- ↑ Social Blade. "SocialBlade Announces Partnership with BroadbandTV" SocialBlade
- ↑ Spangler, Todd. "FremantleMedia Claims Rights to YouTube User-Uploaded Clips" Variety
- ↑ unknown."BroadbandTV Inks Multi-Year Original Content Deal with FremantleMedia" The Video Ink
- ↑ Patel, Sahil. "BroadbandTV and NBA Renew Deal for YouTube Rights Management" The Video Ink
- ↑ Salas, Jesus. "NBA and BroadbandTV Renew Their Deal" Sport Techie
- ↑ Parry, Jacob."BroadbandTV Inks $36-Million Deal with RTL Group" BC Business
- ↑ Barrett, Jessica. "Major European media firm invests in Vancouver’s BroadbandTV". Vancouver Sun.
- ↑ Reuters. "BroadbandTV Acquires YoBoHo; Becomes One of the Top Kids and Family Networks on YouTube" Reuters
- ↑ Brouwer, Bree. "BroadbandTV Debuts Hip-Hop-Centric Network ‘Opposition’, Hits 3 Billion Monthly Views" Tubefilter
- ↑ Spangler, Todd. "BMG, BroadbandTV Create 'Windfall' for Aspiring YouTube Music Stars" Variety
- ↑ TCN. "BroadbandTV collaborates to launch TCN; one of BBTV's first sub-networks." Peter Danihel
- ↑ Gutelle, Sam. "BroadbandTV Agrees To Manage FremantleMedia Shows On YouTube" Tubefilter
- ↑ Patel, Sahil. "BroadbandTV and NBA Renew Deal for YouTube Rights Management" The Video Ink