Switch Media Enters Into The US Market
Australian-based Switch Media is launching its suite of highly sophisticated OTT technologies into the US market.
The company announced that it will headquarter its US operations in San Francisco and will be led by Switch Media’s US Vice-President of Business Development, Chris Moore.
The move into the North American market follows its tenth successive year of growth and a slew of major contract wins leading Australian broadcasters.
These include contracts to deliver streaming solutions and apps for Australia’s leading broadcasters over the past 12 months, including subscription TV service Foxtel, free-to-air networks SBS, ABC and Network 10.
Last month, Switch also delivered a world first for the free-to-air consortium, Freeview, for which it developed and launched an app that live-streams 19 TV channels and catch-up content from all of Australia’s free-to-air networks.
Switch Media co-founder and CEO, Christopher Stenhouse, said the move into the US market has come off the back of positive responses at the NAB in Las Vegas earlier this year.
“The US streaming market continues to explode with new players disrupting the market,” Stenhouse said. “We recently saw AT&T launch its new DirectTV service and don’t expect the level of activity slow down.
“We believe our suite of cost effective OTT products and our ability to easily integrate some, or all of them, into existing infrastructure as well as monetize clients services with our ability to upload ads ’on-the-fly’ into program content streams, will be an attractive offer in the US market.”
Moore, who was previously the head of sales for Switch Media in Australia, said there has been strong interest in the Switch Media offering among US content owners and streaming platforms, particularly for its dynamic monetization solution AdEase.
“The reactions so far have been very positive. The broadcast industry appreciates that AdEase is platform-agnostic, and its highly configurable approach to server-side ad insertion (SSAI),” Moore said.
“AdEase allows the broadcaster’s on-demand content and ‘live event’ sport, entertainment and news to side-step the ad-blocking apps and deliver a TV-like viewing experience that integrates ads with program content on any digital device.
“As a CMS platform-agnostic solution it plugs into and works with any existing systems and existing workflows, meaning content does not need to be re-ingested. AdEase can take existing video streams, detect the ad breaks and stitch ads into the stream without being detected by ad blockers.”
In addition to AdEase, the Switch Media suite of products also includes Switch Media Manager, Switch Live, Switch Live2Vod, Switch MasterApp and Switch Universal Player.
Stenhouse added: “There are opportunities with not only traditional broadcasters, but with other media services, as well as the sports, hospitality and entertainment sectors.
“We are seeing new entrants looking to leverage their own content or the rights they hold by creating their own online channels such as the National Collegiate Athletics Association direct streaming its college basketball league through to Red Bull TV launching a dedicated channel with content that reflects the brand values.”
Stenhouse said the expansion into the US market was the third market it had entered since it established in Australia in 2006, with the company also having a presence in India to serve the two billion South Asian market and New Zealand.
He said the company is considering further global expansion in the coming year as the OTT sector is expected to grow by a compound annual growth rate of 17.2 per cent, hitting $US62 billion by 2020.
Please login with linkedin to comment
birch & waiteLatest News
DMARGE Founder Unveils Creator-Led Social Media Agency Feedstar
New creator-led social media agency Feedstar to be aimed directly at Gen Zs. Well, they'd hardly want print, would they?
TV Ratings (02/05/2024): A total of 1,753,000 Aussies Witness Port Adelaide’s Defeat
Seven's AFL numbers almost double that of the NRL last night. The NRL still easily winning for ruptured ACLs.
Hotglue Cashes In With La Trobe Financial Digital Media Account
Hotglue staffers learning their cashflows from their collaterals today after nabbing La Trobe Financial's digital media.
M&C Saatchi’s Sydney Creative Lead Exits
B&T's stopping short of calling it a revolving door at M&C at the present, but there's definitely heat on the hinges.
Taylor Swift’s Music Re-Enters TikTok As Universal Pens Landmark Deal
Yes, B&T may have spent 152 hours failing to get Taylor Swift tickets, but, as you'll read here, it's all behind us now.
HAVAS Red launches inaugural Influencer White Paper
Havas Red has debuted its first influencer white paper. Unless you print it out in colour, of course.
Two Sides Global Campaign Reports Increasing Greenwashing As Organisations Focus On Sustainability
New report confirms greenwashing's on the rise. Apparently Mars' 'work, rest & play' claims also under investigation.
Aruga Launches New HQ & Changed Ownership Structure
PR agency Aruga proves Brisbane is 'so hot right now'. So hot in fact, Adelaide's had to go on anti-anxiety meds.
Delicious & American Express Partner To Launch Month Out 2024 In Sydney
Cost of living got you eating noodles prepared in the two-minute style? Why not live vicariously through this.
Aussie Ad Market Continues Decline In March
The belt-tightening in adland shows signs of a turnaround soon. Bar the belt-loosening at the all-you-can-eat buffet.
VMA Focuses On Skills And Training For Members
If there was a post-COVID hangover (bar the anti-vax ranters) it was the rise in skills shortages. Here's another one.
Nearly 90% Of Consumers Want Transparency About AI Images, Finds Getty Images Report
Study finds consumers want transparency around AI images. Couldn't care less about photoshopped magazine covers.
The National Breast Cancer Foundation Partners With VML To Boost Funds
Anyone else feel we've exhausted the office morning tea for cancer? B&T proposes the office moonshine still instead.
Perry ‘Pez’ Lazaris Named New National Hit Network Announcer
Why is it mandatory for the media to only publish the nicknames of people in radio & underworld crime figures?
Before Adland: Garry Dawson’s Journey From Teacher To Marketer
Here, the Hopeful Monsters marketer talks his shift from the classroom to the room wherever marketers congregate.
Scott Cam Urges Tradies To Prioritise Sun Protection
The Block host promoting sun protection to tradies. Also, don't try getting into the RSL after 6pm wearing high viz.
PubMatic Study: Advertising On Retail Media Is 50% More Effective Than Social Media
New study finds retail media 50% more effective than social. B&T says two-for-one Tim Tams trumps the lot.
From MOWING to life GROWING: Jim Penman launches ‘Life Coaching’ services
Can't decide on getting the hedges trimmed or finding a deeper meaning to life? You're in luck with this new venture.
Budweiser Brazil Turns Songs That Name Drop The Iconic Brand Into Spotify Ads
It's strange that Budweiser never found a market among beer-swilling Aussies. Then again, neither did the fluffy duck.
Effie Worldwide Strengthens Board With 6 New Members
B&T hopes everyone's wearing their Maseur sandals at the Effies, as it's standing room only at the next board meeting.
Special Enlist A Penguin Named Nigel In Latest Energy Campaign For Contact
Special unveils Nigel the penguin in work for energy provider Contact. Apparently Percy the peacock was booked.
Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth & George Miller Ignite Sydney For Epic Mad Max Launch
The Mad Max film franchise is Australia's cinematic gift to the world. That & Chris Hemsworth's near perfect cheekbones.
IAS Launches First-To-Market Integration With Roblox To Provide 3D Immersive Measurement
Always thought you could do with better 3D immersive measurement? Happy days are ahead here.
Fast And Furious: Top Gear Australia Launch Thrilled Motorheads, Car Entusiasts And Guests
B&T is still no closer to knowing who the new Stig is, except that she is a woman and a ridiculously fast.
TV Ratings (02/05/2024): Seven’s The 1% Club Wins The Night
The 1% club did not live up to its name when it comes to TV ratings last night.
TRA Welcomes Raft Of New Hires; Bolstering Expertise Across Markets
Insights and research agency TRA announces slew of new hires. Still no news on the return of marble wash denim, however.
CX Lavender Hires Boston Consulting Group’s Kim Verbrugghe as Chief Strategy Officer
CX Lavender announces new strategy hire and channels 'acoustic folk act at local RSL' for the publicity pic.
Opinion: Community standards, will they be the death of us?
This columnist is talking community standards. Sadly not those people who put dogs in trolleys in supermarkets.
Tegel gets heads bobbing with new free-range chicken platform
Sure, there's a lot of moral considerations when buying a chook. Yet, not as baffling as buying eggs or canned tuna.
Study: 66% of Aussie men believe masculinity is under attack
Two-thirds of Aussie blokes say masculinity's under attack. That said, sales of Solo lemon drink appear robust.
‘Equal Writes’: Canyon reveals new campaign and refreshed brand for women and non-binary writers
As this brand redesign again proves, nothing beats black on white. Well, white on black in this instance.
Icon Agency bolsters consumer and integrated offer with major hires
Icon Agency unveils new recruits. As press photo confirms office moustache competition now a lay-down misère.
Clemenger launches agricultural graduate program
Has Farmer Wants A Wife triggered an interest in dagging & hay balers? This grads program may resonate.
Levi’s Appoint UM As Global Media Agency For $217m Account
Levi's are the jeans for rockstars, models & the cool kids. Although that's not stopped dads from ruining their image.
QMS Nabs Sean Rigby From oOh!media
Things set to get spicy at the next Outdoor Media Association dinner and dance as a rival gets poached.
Bumble Reveals New Brand Identity To Usher In New Era Of Dating
It's ironic that all the dating apps market themselves as having no weirdos, freaks or mummy's boys like their rivals.