Kelly Day, President of Streaming and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI), has backed the value of the media giant’s linear TV channels despite the rise of streaming.
Day (pictured) told the digital version of Natpe Miami that while ViacomCBS is shifting its attention to streaming with the forthcoming launch of SVoD service Paramount+ and the ongoing expansion of AVoD service PlutoTV, linear networks are still crucial to its business.
“Our linear assets are still of incredible value to us. In Latin America, Telefe had the best year from an audience perspective in 15 years in 2020. Our free-to-air networks in Argentina, the UK and Australia have all had incredible years; they’re going like gangbusters,” said Day.
“For our pay TV business, this relationship between linear and streaming is getting closer and closer together. We’re finding that, combined, we can deliver real value to the consumer and the operator. We have this strategic advantage now where we have all of these incredible assets, across FTA, pay TV and now streaming. We’re trying to put all the linear assets behind making streaming as successful as possible and the operators are excited about that.”
ViacomCBS’s linear networks include international brands Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central, plus Channel 5 in the UK, Network 10 in Australia and Ananey in Israel, all of which have growing digital presences.
In her role as COO, Day works to accelerate the digital transformation of VCNI’s business with a focus on strengthening the company’s digital and streaming operations.
Following her promotion last year, Day leads the division’s streaming business internationally, overseeing the international roll-out of Paramount+. The service launches on March 4 in the US, Canada and Latin America, followed by Australia and the Nordics.
Day also manages the ongoing expansion of Pluto TV, following its launch in Latin America, with more launches in Europe on the way, including in France on February 8 and in Italy later this year.
Original source: C21 Media.
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