Rakuten TV has launched a new ad-supported version of its movie and TV digital download and streaming service, allowing customers in Europe to watch a wide range of content for free.
Located within the existing Rakuten TV app for smart TVs, mobile and streaming devices, the new free section will initially offer Hollywood and local content but will be expanded in the coming months to include exclusive content, TV series, documentary series, news and sport channels in the coming months.
Jacinto Roca, Rakuten TV Founder and CEO, said: “We are incredibly proud to take this step after having tripled our presence in Europe just a few months ago.
“Rakuten TV continues to evolve rapidly alongside consumer trends within the industry, where there is a clear trend of advertisers moving away from linear TV and towards VOD.
This is a unique opportunity for Rakuten TV which has already direct access to millions of European households through its branded remote control button of the main Smart TV brands.
“This is the mere beginning of a huge project which will see the launch of additional channels and exclusive content in the coming months”.
The service will be available in beta version, across the complete 2019 Smart TV line up, and will be rolled out to other platforms including mobile and desktop later.