Spanish ‘virtual cinema’ TVOD service launches

Spanish movie distributor A Contracorriente Films has teamed up with OTT platform technology provider Magine to launch a new transactional video-on-demand service aimed at moviegoers unable to visit the cinema due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The service, Sala Virtual de Cine (SVdC) is inviting cinemas and distributors across Spain to collaborate to help offset the fall off in cinema attendance by providing a platform to offer recent films online just after or at the same time as their theatrical release.

The service is based on a revenue-share model with cinemas. Users can select their preferred cinema during the registration process, enabling a revenue share for that participating cinema. The platform also provides an option to limit the number of views to generate a ‘premiere experience’ or to give exclusive access to certain groups such as journalists.

The service has tapped the capabilities of the Magine Pro platform to provide apps for the web, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV and Samsung and LG smart TVs.

“We are delighted to play a part in this innovative concept that we believe will play a significant role in creating new ways of viewing quality film in Spain”, says Matthew Wilkinson, CEO Magine.

“It has been a pleasure to increase the capabilities of SVdC with the wonderful team of Magine Pro. They have understood what our needs are from the very first moment. SVdC is an opportunity for cinemas to reach their audiences wherever they are, so fans of movies across all of Spain, when unable to have the best experience of the biggest screen, can still view the newest releases and their favourite films at their homes, thanks to SVdC,” said Eduardo Escudero, business manager, A Contracorriente Films.