Lionsgate and Hemisphere Media Group have launched PANTAYA, the first Spanish-language over-the-top (OTT) streaming service dedicated to premium content for the Hispanic community in the U.S. The service’s slate of Spanish-language classic and current films will be complemented by documentaries, concerts and other original content. In addition to exclusive, first run access to all of Pantelion’s Spanish-language releases, PANTAYA will feature monthly films released “day-and-date” with their debut in Latin American theatres. PANTAYA is available through the web and on iOS, Android and the Roku platform in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, as well as to Prime members on Amazon channels in the U.S.
YouTube is launching a new way for Canadians to discover Canadian content. YouTube Spotlight Canada will showcase Canada’s top French and English stars, alongside emerging Canadian talent. The channel will also feature themed playlists to help Canadians explore trending topics and news stories. Canada is the first country to have its own Spotlight channel with watchtime in Canada growing 30 per cent over last year. YouTube has also launched its popular Creator on the Rise feature in Canada, showcasing those videos in the Trending tab on YouTube.
VIZIO, Inc. has launched VIZIO SmartCast TV in the Canadian market, allowing viewers to access content from popular apps on their TV screens with a tap of the remote. An intuitive home screen greets viewers with content recommendations, along with apps like Amazon Prime Video, Crackle and Netflix.
As Instagram Stories turns one year old, data shows it’s boosted the app’s average usage rate to 32 minutes per day for those under 25, and 24 minutes per day for those over age 25. Instagram Stories now has 250 million daily users, topping Snapchat’s 166 million. Snapchat’s active user growth rate has fallen sharply from 17.2 per cent per quarter to five per cent.
