24i in FAST partnership with Amagi, SEGI.TV to be first customer

Aferian-owned video streaming UX outfit 24i has forged a partnership with Amagi, the cloud-based SaaS provider for broadcast and connected TV, to expand the ways FAST channel providers can engage with their audiences.

The pair will offer FAST providers a quick route to launch their own high-quality apps and also potentially to expand their services to offer AVOD and SVOD alongside existing live and live linear streams.

The first customer for the partnership is US streamer SEGI.TV, which will use Amagi Cloudport and Amagi Live to construct a new FAST channel that will be distributed initially via an owned and operated app for connected TVs and other streaming devices, created using 24i Mod Studio.

Launched in 2020 by Sycamore Entertainment Group, SEGI.TV aims to offer movies and television programming on the themes of equality, sustainability and community that appeal to a diverse audience.

SEGI.TV’s VOD assets and live channels will be synchronized from Amagi Cloudport to 24i’s modular SaaS video streaming platform, 24i Mod Studio. This will enable the streamer’s editorial team to manage both its content and the application user experience in 24i’s Backstage interface.

The company will be able to curate VOD collections and publish them alongside its Amagi FAST channel in 24i’s configurable streaming applications on a variety of connected devices, the pair said.

24i and Amagi said their partnership would enable other companies to accelerate their streaming innovation and deliver a broadcast-grade viewing experience. 24i and Amagi will deepen their collaboration in the coming months to deliver more business models to more devices with more advanced capabilities, including personalization, recommendations and advanced viewership analytics for owned and operated apps, the pair said.

Edward Sylvan, CEO at Sycamore Entertainment Group said: “At SEGI.TV, our goal is to provide great content, live events and sports to an increasingly diverse audience. Having a more direct connection through our own streaming apps is an important way for us to get across our values, and offer a richer experience for all. We’re excited by the opportunities for speed, reach and future growth that are offered by working with 24i and Amagi in partnership.”

Neale Foster, CEO at 24i said: “This exciting partnership with Amagi means we can help successful FAST services like SEGI.TV take the next step in its streaming journey. Our highly configurable and modular streaming platform is a quick route to a great user experience on all kinds of connected devices, but also a future-proof solution that can expand to add advanced functionality as services thrive. We look forward to helping many more of Amagi’s diverse FAST customers to grow their business in the coming months.”

Baskar Subramanian, CEO and Co-founder of Amagi, said: “Free streaming linear channels on connected TV EPGs, i.e. FAST channels have become a critical way for content owners to grow audiences and monetize more of their library. Now, 24i and Amagi are helping to accelerate the ideal experience for both content and consumers going forward. This partnership means our customers can quickly launch owned and operated apps featuring both VOD and live linear streaming experiences.”