SPI/FilmBox launching new AI-powered streaming service

SPI/FilmBox is launching a new streaming service that it says taps the power of artificial intelligence to merge linear and on-demand experiences.

The new service, FilmBox Plus, will replace the existing FilmBox Live service and is expected to launch worldwide later this year.

FilmBox Plus will offer what the company describes AI-powered linear channels and a selection of VOD content spanning movies, TV series and thematic programming. Users will be able to subscribe to the service directly or via partner platforms and devices.

The service will be available for multiple screens and platfomrs and supports a number of business models including SVOD, AVOD and TVOD.

The linear channels will be a hybrid, curated by FilmBox Plus editors as well as tapping AI to configure them according to mood, gnre or special occasion and for different territories, according to SPI/FilmBox.

“The convergence of traditional and digital pay TV environments has created new viewer behaviours and expectations. The operators will need to cater to these demands if they want to thrive,” said Guney Yasavur, chief operating officer at SPI International.

“FilmBox Plus offers a centralized content solution for both the operators and the end-user: The service integrates easily into operator set-top-boxes and offers, and enhances the overall viewing experience of the end-user by providing highly-personalized and consistently relevant content through AI-powered technologies.”