SBT Taps Amagi for First FAST Channel Launch

SBT and Amagi logos
(Image credit: Amagi)

NEW YORK—Amagi has announced that the Brazilian broadcaster Sistema Brasileiro de Televisão (SBT) is using solutions from Amagi and AD Digital to launch, distribute, and monetize its first FAST channel, TV Zyn, on free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) platforms. 

The channel, which focuses on the teen demographic, was first launched on Samsung TV Plus in June, and it will be launched on other FAST platforms in the coming months, SBT reported. 

"SBT takes another important step in its digital transformation strategy with the launch of its first FAST channel," said SBT CTO Roberto Grosman. "The partnership with AD Digital and Amagi was fundamental for this movement."

 Popularly known as the channel of the Brazilian family, SBT reached 199 million viewers and 67 million households. The network currently has 114 affiliate broadcasters across the country, with 24 hours of diversified programming, with a share of 10% in Greater São Paulo and 9% in Brazil. 

Through an ongoing partnership with SBT, Amagi is providing the technology backbone for the group's pay-TV distribution model, the companies said. 

As part of that alliance, SBT has chosen to deploy Amagi's key cloud solutions for channel creation, distribution, and monetization: Amagi CLOUDPORT and Amagi THUNDERSTORM. Amagi CONNECT will enable SBT channels — TV Zyn and SBT International — to connect with a plethora of platforms in the global CTV-led FAST universe and to boost viewership and ad revenue using its content. AD Digital joins the partnership as an accelerator on FAST channel initiatives.

"It's wonderful to see celebrated TV networks such as SBT taking their premium channels to the next level," said Amagi co-founder and chief revenue officer Srinivasan KA. "We're eager to help them to build an engaged and loyal audience in the FAST universe using our best-in-class content distribution and monetization solutions."

"SBT is one of the most important communication groups in the Brazilian market; it is a company that has been constantly seeking innovation and going through transformations inside our digital ecosystem," added AD Digital senior vice president Daniela Souza. "We at AD Digital are very happy to be able to contribute to this new movement that has been having huge growth year after year in the North American and European markets and with this acceleration that we are now seeing in the Latin American market."

Amagi delivers linear channels in over 40 countries around the world, with the majority of clients from the American market. Amagi's customer list includes ABS-CBN, AccuWeather, A+E Networks UK, Cinedigm, Cox Media Group, Crackle Plus, Fremantle, Gannett, Gusto TV, NBCUniversal, Tastemade, The Roku Channel, and numerous other global companies.

More information about Amagi and its streaming TV solutions is available at www.amagi.com

George Winslow

George Winslow is the senior content producer for TV Tech. He has written about the television, media and technology industries for nearly 30 years for such publications as Broadcasting & Cable, Multichannel News and TV Tech. Over the years, he has edited a number of magazines, including Multichannel News International and World Screen, and moderated panels at such major industry events as NAB and MIP TV. He has published two books and dozens of encyclopedia articles on such subjects as the media, New York City history and economics.