US based Cinedigm has agreed to acquire the global OTT VOD service Viewster and its subsidiary platform Viewster Anime.
Viewster and Viewster Anime’s roster of fandom offerings will be immediately combined into Cinedigm’s library of channels and content, with the company taking over operation of all content, applications, and social assets belonging to both platforms. Ad sales will be handled in-house and through Cinedigm’s network of partners. Cinedigm expects the acquisition to be consummated in January 2019.
Founded in Zurich, Switzerland in 2007, Viewster quickly emerged as a competitive force in the global Video On Demand industry. Cinedigm plans to make Viewster a core part of its ad-based content strategy, integrating the platform’s eclectic entertainment library featuring over 5,000 films and series curated by a community of video creators and pop culture enthusiasts.
Viewster offerings span across a wide array of genres, spotlighting cult classics, horror, comedy, gaming, documentaries, action, and more, including Night Of The Living Dead, Fists Of Fury, Gamers: Beyond The Game, American Grindhouse, Visioneers, Maricraft, Sparkles, Honest Trailers, and Happy Tree Friends.
Cinedigm will continue to distribute Viewster Anime as a standalone brand, featuring its impressive selection of Anime films and series, ranging from classic favorites to fresh simulcasts delivered straight from Japan, providing viewers with instant access to top-tier premium full-length content. The platform offers programming in a wide variety of languages, and new content is added every week.
“Viewster and Viewster Anime are the perfect complement to the Cinedigm brand and will be integral in further cementing our impact in the fandom arena,” said Erick Opeka, President of Cinedigm Networks.
“In the OTT marketplace, there is an incredibly strong desire for the type of content that they specialize in, and this presents a great opportunity for future growth, especially in the quickly expanding ad-supported realm, where we are focusing much of our growth efforts. Viewster has built a strong and recognizable brand with a massive worldwide footprint on a number of different devices, and we look forward to continuing this proud legacy—integrating their diverse films and series into our premium programming offerings and providing even more quality content specifically designed for the Anime and fandom communities.”
Viewster and Viewster Anime are the latest offerings to join Cinedigm’s growing Digital Networks Group, which plans, launches and manages both owned-and-operated networks as well as partner networks. Currently, the company operates factual network Docurama, fandom lifestyle network CONtv, K-pop and Asian pop culture outlet Hallypop, gaming lifestyle network WHAM, family-focused Dove Channel, and combat-sports network Combat Go.
