TVtibi, a global OTT provider focused on the a la carte model, said an agreement with Backlight TV/Innova TV Networks will enable it to offer a free, live stream of the coming Saturday (September 12) college football game between the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Crimson Hawks and the Kutztown University Bears.
The game will be offered free on a global basis on TVtibi, as well as Flipps TV, IPoint TV, and ChannelMaster TV and other OTT platforms. TVtibi has secured the ad-insertion rights for it, according to TVtibi president and CEO Matthew Beck.
TVtibi (its parent company is called Ready, Set, Sync!) recently launched an OTT a la carte service in beta mode that features a curated mix of content, including a movie service called Classic Cool. TVtibi launched initially on Windows 8.1, Windows RT and Windows 10, and plans to launch apps for iOS and Android later this year. TVtibi execs discussed their strategy and plans last month in this Next TV story (subscription required) that appeared in the August 10 issue of Multichannel News and Broadcasting & Cable.
Last month, Andrew Goldman, a pay TV industry vet late of HBO, was named chief strategy officer of TVtibi.
"We are thrilled to be working with Innova TV Networks to bring live sports, traditionally only available via broadcast television, to the world through TVtibi,” Beck said, in a statement. This is a game-changer, and we look forward to live sports being a regular part of our platform.”
Innova TV Networks principle Jack Pennington added that the OTT telecast comes ahead of its launch of two new all sports networks, Rivals Sports Network (D1 through D3 college sports), and Rivals World Wide.
Rival Sports Network has not released its full lineup of leagues and supported sports, but noted that when it isn’t offering college games, the service will feature coaches shows and games from minor leagues such as the Premiere Basketball League.
Backlight TV’s web site lists several supported distribution platforms, including Web browsers, Roku boxes, the Apple TV, Google Chromecast, iOS and Android mobile apps, and a manufacturer’s portal (through NetRange) in Europe and Asia. Other “channels” offered via Backlight TV include Pilot TV (pilots, with ad inserts, from shows such as Family Guy, Flipper, The Beverly Hillbillies, and WKRP in Cincinnati); New York Fight Exchange, Wheels TV, and Silver Screams (campy horror flicks such as Night of the Living Dead, Mutiny in Outer Space, and King of the Zombies).
