Simplestream helps CBS AMC UK Channels Partnership launch its first on-demand players on Freeview Play

The CBS AMC UK Channels Partnership, a joint venture between AMC Networks International and CBS Studios International announced the launch of two new on-demand players - Horror Bites and CBS Catchup Channels UK.

Horror Bites and CBS Catchup Channels UK will be available via Freeview Play devices, rolling out from 6th December. Freeview Play viewers will be able to catch up on shows from Horror Channel, CBS Reality, CBS Drama and CBS Justice – rebranding from CBS Action on 5th of December – up to thirty days after broadcast. Viewers will also be able to access exclusive on-demand content, in the form of box sets and CBS Reality Original content such as “Donal MacIntyre’s Murder Files”, “Murder by the Sea” and “Written in Blood”.

Horror Bites and CBS Catchup Channels UK will join BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, Demand 5 and UKTV Play on the UK’s fastest growing TV catch up platform, Freeview Play which is built into nearly all new TVs.

“As the way we watch TV changes, it’s important to offer our popular programming to audiences anytime and anywhere, so this expansion onto Freeview Play is a natural next step for us,” said Tanya Gugenheim, SVP, Business Development, AMC Networks International.

“Partnering with Freeview Play means that the Horror Bites and the CBS Catchup Channels UK apps will be available on most smart TVs. We have been ably supported by Simplestream who built an end-to-end service complete with all key Freeview Play functionalities, integrated backwards EPG and intuitive user experience, which we look forward to sharing with our viewers.”

Simon Hunt, Strategy Director for Freeview Play commented “We’re committed to evolving and improving Freeview Play, so to be announcing the launch of not one, but two new catch up players is really something to shout about. As the platform continues to grow and become the new normal, we hope that the CBS AMC UK Channels Partnership, along with our other partners continue to reap the rewards of its success with audiences across the country.”

“Watching TV has become increasingly personal, with more power shifting to consumers to curate their own individual viewing experiences,” added Dan Finch, Chief Commercial Officer, Simplestream. “Horror Bites and CBS Catchup Channels UK are colourful additions to the UK’s on-demand landscape and it has been a real pleasure to support their launch.”

The CBS UK channels continue to be one of the fastest-growing channel portfolios in the UK with CBS Reality being the UK’s biggest factual entertainment channel amongst adult women and Horror Channel being the second biggest free to air movie channel amongst men 25-54.

About CBS AMC Networks UK Channels Partnership

The CBS AMC Network UK Channels make up a portfolio of six entertainment channels owned by the CBS AMC Network UK Channels Partnership established in September 2009 between CBS Studios International and AMC Networks International – UK.

The channels include CBS Reality, CBS Reality +1, CBS Drama, CBS Justice, Horror Channel and Horror Channel +1 and feature a broad assortment of drama, reality and long form content from CBS’s extensive television library and CBS Reality original productions airing on CBS Reality, complemented by entertainment programming from third party suppliers. CBS AMC Networks Channels reach viewers in more than 25 million homes throughout the UK via the Sky, Virgin Media, Freesat and Freeview platforms.

CBS Studios International is the leading supplier of programming to the international television marketplace, licensing to more than 200 markets in more than 60 languages across multiple media platforms. The division distributes programming from CBS Television Studios created for the CBS Television Network, The CW, CBS All Access and other platforms, as well as content from CBS Television Distribution, SHOWTIME Networks, CBS News, CBS Films and a library of more than 70,000 hours of programming. The Studio participates in a number of international channel ventures, including owning and operating Network 10 in Australia and also exports a diverse line-up of formats for local production. CBS Studios International has 13 offices around the world, including its base in Los Angeles and EMEA headquarters in Amsterdam. CBS Studios International is a division of CBS Corporation.

AMC Networks International – UK is a business unit of AMC Networks International, a leading producer and distributor of television channels reaching subscribers in more than 140 countries and territories, including Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America and spanning a range of genres, including movie, lifestyle, entertainment, sports, children’s and factual.  AMC Networks International is the global division of AMC Networks. For more information, visit: www.amcnetworks.com/amcni

About Freeview

Freeview is the biggest and best loved TV platform in the UK. Giving viewers access to 70 TV channels, 15 HD channels and over 25 radio stations through an aerial. The service is free from subscription, so there’s no monthly cost. Freeview launched its connected TV service, Freeview Play, in 2015 which gives viewers the choice to watch what they want, when they want in a simple way. As with all Freeview products, it’s subscription free and works with all existing broadband providers.

Freeview is managed by DTV Services Ltd, a company owned and run by its five shareholders: BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky and Arqiva.

About Simplestream

Simplestream, a London-headquartered company, are leaders in live, live-2-VOD  and on-demand TV services across all OTT platforms. Founded in 2010, Simplestream enables broadcasters, platform operators, content owners and distributors to quickly launch next generation TV services, increasing reach and revenues. Simplestream provide a simplified workflow and cloud-based solutions to industry leaders, including A+E Networks, News Corp, Sony, MTG and QVC.