by Dov Kornits
These days, the streaming space is all about capturing consumers where they are at, be it your smart TV’s interface, Apple TV, Google TV, Fire TV, Foxtel IQ, etc. Now there’s a new player in the marketplace, claiming to host 50 million global consumers on their streaming guide.
We spoke with SVP, Global Content Acquisitions and Strategy at JustWatch, Quentin Carbonell, about what to expect from JustWatch’s streaming service.
Is JustWatch the future of streaming, and why?
“I believe JustWatch has been the present and future of streaming for more than a decade now, which I say without taking any credit as I only joined the company in December last year. The product and brand that the team have been building are incredible, and being used by tens of millions of people across the globe.
“JustWatch TV is a continuation of this ambition – a unique proposal allowing users, old and new, to directly enjoy an evolving and curated selection of great shows and films, while discovering exciting titles on other streaming services. We are here to help users in a hyper-fragmented world to find what they want to watch, based on their taste across all services, while supporting the global streaming landscape to grow further.”
Is JustWatch filling a gap, and if so, how/why?
“I would say a few different gaps, as we are a central point of attention where users can (re)discover a wide variety of titles across all streaming services. We can build highly tailored hybrid recommendations, as our users engage with a variety of streaming platforms. For instance, recommending an Apple show since they liked that film on Amazon. But also, through our new streaming offering, suggest a Tubi or Crunchyroll title after you watched an anime on JustWatch TV.
“We also elevate numerous local, independent services and distributors which sometimes struggle for visibility and attention, despite having wonders on offering. Finally, we will also be showing rare titles, hard-to-find films. and ‘unstreamables’ that have fallen off the map for various reasons, despite having so many fans seeking them.”
When you say that you have partnerships in place with various companies, what does that mean exactly?
“We work with a constellation of streaming services, studios, mini-majors, distributors, sales agents and producers across the world both on the Streaming Guide and the new JustWatch TV service. For JustWatch TV, we announced working with fantastic partners such as Paramount, New Regency, and Fremantle, with many more to come. In Australia and New Zealand, we notably have quite the roster. I cannot wait for film and TV fans to discover our first batch of titles, with new ones appearing continuously.”
Coming into a company such as JustWatch, what are the learnings that you’re able to gather through the data, which would help you in terms of curation/acquisitions?
“Being in a company that has been running for more than a decade and knows so much about its audience’s taste, I cannot begin to tell you what a Chocolate Factory this is! However, it is very important for us to show – as we are already doing on the Guide – that we are not a purely data-led company and that we have been founded and are made of hundreds of TV and film fans. We continue our work of discovery, recommendation and curation across all genres and formats. We will be offering titles that data may say might not be the most obvious, but might become yours and many others’ next favourite!”
Most streamers rely on sport to drive subscriptions, is that an area that JustWatch will look into as well?
“While we are not closing the door to anything, and sports is a fascinating environment about which I know a thing or two from my previous experience, this is not a direction we will be moving into at launch. But you never know!”
Will you be offering territory by territory content, or will it always be across all territories?
“A bit of both! I was hired also due to my global experience and my ability to work with talent, producers, and sales agents on global content. We will have fully local and international content offerings mixed together, from which Australia and New Zealand will very much benefit! It is exciting to cherry-pick titles that might not have been sold in some territories but can still benefit from a great life, particularly when pushed by a trusted source of discovery like JustWatch.”
Similarly, will local content figure in your content decisions?
“Yes, of course. It will, as always, slightly vary territory by territory – and will evolve through time – but local content is absolutely important. We notably will have Inside in Australia and New Zealand that FilmInk rated pretty highly, and you featured its director Charles Williams. There will be much more to come. This is a first step, a premium addition to our existing Guide that we cannot wait to grow further together with our audience!”
Head to https://www.justwatch.com/au/justwatch-tv to check it out for yourself
blah blah blah, call this duck what it is…an aggregator…I didn’t see any mention of a commitment to local producers here either…just thought bubbles.