German media company Mediengruppe RTL Deutschland has launched a new free-of-charge, advertising-funded multiscreen video-on-demand (VOD) service.
Watchbox replaces video portal Clipfish and initially offers more than 1,000 movies and over 3,000 series episodes. The line-up is to be constantly expanded.
Editorial recommendation lists such as Hollywood stars in their first roles or Award-winning jewels of independent cinema guide viewers through the service that can be used without registration. The focus is on the genres Independent, British, Horror, Comedy, Science-Fiction, Thriller and Anime.
With “exceptional content” and “creative topic collections”, RTL wants to establish Watchbox as an alternative to fee-based streaming services.
Watchbox is accessible via smart TV (HbbTV), PC, smartphone and tablet as well as through its own channel on RTL’s catch-up service TV Now; apps are available for Amazon Fire TV, Xbox One, Apple TV, Android and iOS. Further platforms will follow.
RTL’s competitor ProSiebenSat.1 is also currently revamping its video portal. In addition to trailers for new cinema releases, series, games and DVDs, MyVideo now also contains a VOD service on which movies can be purchased and rented – in competition with the company’s own VOD platform maxdome.
