• SPI/FilmBox launches AI-powered VOD service
  • Platform to merge linear and on-demand experiences
  • AI employed to curate content based on genre, mood & territory

FilmBox Plus

FilmBox: Launching VOD platform merging linear and on-demand experiences

Source: FilmBox

SPI/ Film Box has launched a new content streaming service called FilmBox Plus.

The multi-platform service merges linear and on-demand experiences through artificial intelligence (AI)-powered linear channels and an extensive selection of video-on-demand (VOD) content.

SPI said the new service is an evolution of FilmBox Live, which has been active for over a decade. It is expected that FilmBox Plus will launch globally by the end of this year and will replace FilmBox Live in its entirety.

According to the firm, FilmBox Plus will be a feature-rich content streaming service and offer AI-powered linear channels ranging from movies, TV series and thematic programming.

FilmBox Plus aims to combine the “lean back” viewing experience with the ease and flexibility of the on-demand option.

The service features enhancements to further personalise the user experience through AI-powered linear channels, specifically curated by FilmBox Plus editors and AI technologies.

Curation may be made according to mood, genre or special occasion and can be configured for different territories.

Users will be able to subscribe to the service directly or through a partner platform and devices.

SPI chief operating officer Guney Yasavur said: “The convergence of traditional and digital pay-TV environments has created new viewer behaviours and expectations. The operators will need to cater to these demands if they want to thrive.”

FilmBox Plus has been designed to work on multiple screens and platforms natively and aims to provide a sleek, user-friendly and intuitive interface.

The service is intended to integrate easily into operator set-top-boxes and offers and supports various business models such as subscription (SVOD), advertisement (AVOD), and transactional (TVOD/pay per view).

Yasavur added: “FilmBox Plus offers a centralised content solution for both the operators and the end-user: The service integrates easily into operator set-top-boxes and offers and enhances the overall viewing experience of the end-user by providing highly-personalized and consistently relevant content through AI-powered technologies.”

At the end of last year, SPI/FilmBox has announced new content distribution deals to deliver eight of its popular channels across Africa with Azam TV, MTN Group and Ethiopia’s habeshaview.