Bruce Tuchman, formerly President of Sundance Channel Global, AMC Global and MGM Networks and New Zealand’s Rialto Channel have launched Rialto International, a 50/50 JV to bring Rialto branded streaming services of indie content to countries worldwide.
The parties announced the new joint venture on the heels of their first rollout, which extends Rialto’s reach to Australia after striking an AVOD service pact with Samsung TV Plus.
“The sheer number of available independent titles and the prolific pace at which they continue to be produced will provide pay TV and streaming platforms with sorely needed content, even more so as the supply of major studio releases has dwindled in this age of Covid,” said Tuchman, who serves as Co-Chairman of the joint venture.
“While the supply and demand grows, you have few indie-specific channels and service providers. Rialto International will aggressively fill this void. The Rialto Channel, which began as the Sundance Channel, has a 20-year history specializing in the indie space and has garnered many awards and recognitions during that time. It is a perfect brand to take global since it will appeal to indie-loving audiences worldwide and meet the surge in demand.”
It comes as no surprise that Rialto’s pedigree is a prestigious one. Building on that legacy and following the footsteps of Rialto Channel, Rialto International’s linear and on-demand services will specialize in carefully curated programming of distinguished independent films, documentaries and television series, all with compelling stories that engage, entertain and inform. Rialto will be available across all platforms, including linear, streaming and on-demand services.
“We have reached a point where the combination of world cinema attracting a growing, broader audience and the present need for fresh content supply has placed an even greater demand for independent content, which has truly taken the world by storm in recent years, as seen by the incredible Oscar successes of such films as Parasite and Moonlight.,” added Roger Wyllie, CEO of the Rialto Channel and Co-Chairman of Rialto International
“These titles, along with a growing number of marquee films, are the kind of first-rate content that can be expected from Rialto on our network dedicated to independent stories. Audiences will always know what they’re getting from the Rialto brand – consistent high quality. And, instead of having to surf channels and platforms to find this content, they will appreciate the convenience of turning to one source for their viewing pleasure.”
Wyllie extolled: “We couldn’t ask for a better partner than Bruce. He’s highly-regarded in the international media community and has made a career of launching channels and taking entertainment brands global. I don’t know anyone who has launched more networks than Bruce as he has been behind the global rollout of channels from MGM, Nickelodeon, AMC and Sundance, reaching over 130 countries and territories around the world.”
(On the picture a still from, indie film Miss Juneteenth, available on the new streaming service)
