Launched in 2021, Rlaxx TV is a German-based AVOD platform that is giving ad-based streaming majors competition in Europe and several countries. The service already has more than 100 channels on its interface and continues to sign alliances to expand.
In an interview with Prensario, Teresa Alonso López, VP and Content Partnerships, recounted the platform’s strategy, alliances achieved and the next steps in the international market.
The service stems from Foxxum, a company that has been successfully distributing solutions for smart TVs for more than 11 years, and after the pandemic wanted to start monetizing the viewing time on all the CTVs they control worldwide: ‘We began to see the opportunity to give additional distribution to all content partners who have super interesting content catalogs but whose strategy does not have their own D2C service. With Rlaxx TV we want to be that platform that helps bring content to all those homes worldwide’, explained Alonso López.
Rlaxx TV was born to be viewed on Smart TVs, due to its alliances with TV manufacturers and platform aggregators, but today it is also available on iOS/IPad OS, Android, web, Fire TV, Apple TV and Android operating systems TV.
‘Rlaxx TV covers that synergy of the AVOD model perfectly since we represent precisely that: the fusion of FAST channels and the experience of watching On-Demand content. Most of our channels offer the ability to fast forward, pause, fast rewind, watch later, or skip through the electronic program guide in time to select another program. Along with the a la carte section. We are going to start testing the performance of the pure FAST channels (live streams) but also maintaining the flexibility of the two worlds (AVOD and FAST) is something that we would very much like to continue promoting’, the executive said.
The main interface of the OTT is divided on the one hand into its Live TV offer, Program Guide (the guide to consult all the movies, series and programs to be broadcast) and OnDemand (where the exclusive content is on demand, which can be seen whenever).
Last year, the service crossed the path of 100 channels in its more than 28 markets where it is available, of which South Africa and Poland were the last countries to be added, whose audience can access content from Comedy Dynamics, Thrill One and Gusto TV as well as some channels, that are more specific to certain regions. In South Africa for example, viewers will also have access to channels like TidPix, Nollywood Capital TV and Afroland TV, which focus on local African content.
Next steps include the debut of Rlaxx TV in the United States and offer a selection of local channels and in turn to offer content to the diaspora of German and Spanish-speaking viewers. ‘We really don’t just focus on the strategy in Germany. We want to be a global niche-premium content service. Direct competition is really any type of service that entertains the user. What we are all looking for in pleasing users to earn that viewing time. For this we want to work on a stronger commitment to channels and local content’ concluded Alonso López.
