SPI International launches Filmstream in Europe on Rakuten TV

SPI International has launched its ad-based movie service on Rakuten TV.

The service – Filmstream – will initially be available via Rakuten TV in 42 European countries, including the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Sweden, with negotiations to rollout elsewhere ongoing. Users can access the streamer on the Rakuten Smart TV app through Samsung and LG Smart TV devices for free.

Filmstream presents users with a curated selection of independent and foreign-language movies.

Berkin Ecevit, Senior Director of Business Development and Sales at SPI International, said: “We are very excited to partner with Rakuten TV, a key partner that shares our vision of making the discovery of quality content easier for the global audience through combining different business models. Developed with the consumer at the center like all of our products and content solutions, Filmstream’s ad-supported proposition will definitely enhance Rakuten TV’s offering and allow viewers to discover some of the best world cinema movies in one place with no additional commitment required.”

Jacinto Roca, Founder and CEO at Rakuten TV, said: “We are eager to contribute once again to the disruption of the entertainment industry with this major step on the growth and innovation on Rakuten TV, which aims to enrich our business model and content offer. At a time when the entertainment sector is experiencing an unprecedented transformation, and consumption habits are constantly evolving, we are striving to adapt our business model to meet users and advertisers needs at once.”