VRV, Ellation’s SVOD aggregation and bundling service, has expanded its content slate with the addition of MUBI as a channel partner.
In MUBI, VRV adds a service for film buffs that features a mix of cult, classic, independent and award winning titles. Under a distribution model that mirrors a limited theatrical run, MUBI releases one new film per day, with each title available for 30 days.
Titles offered on MUBI in November and December include the global premiere of Radio Mary, an indie from Gary Walkow (director of The Trouble With Dick), the first two films of Michael Winterbottom’s The Trip trilogy, Spike Lee’s Passing Strange, as well as This Is Spinal Tap.
In addition to MUBI, VRV today has also added CuriosityStream, the OTT service from Discovery Communications founder John Hendricks that develops and licenses a library of fact-based programming and “edu-tainment” content.
RELATED: VRV to Add CuriosityStream to SVOD Mix, Launch Offline Viewing
Update: VRV is offering CuriosityStream and MUBI on an a la carte basis for $5.99 each, and is also bundling both of those services in its Combo Pack, which sells for $9.99 per month and now features a dozen channels (others channels currently offered in VRV's SVOD bundle include Cartoon Hangover, Crunchyroll, Funimation, Geek & Sundry, Mondo, Nerdist, Rooster Teeth, Shudder, Tested and the new VRV Select channel).
VRV also confirmed that it is rolling out offline viewing today, enabling customers download and later view titles without an internet connection.
VRV, which offers SVOD services on an a la carte basis as well as via a bundle, initially tailored its service for fans of anime, animation, gaming, comedy, fantasy and technology, but has been expanding into adjacent areas following the additions of CuriosityStream and MUBI.
“Our goal is to be big, but not broad,” Arlen Marmel, VRV’s general manager, said in a recent interview.
VRV launched about a year ago, but hasn’t released subscriber numbers. Earlier this month it announced that VRV has about 1.5 million registered users, 1 million “active” users (those who visit VRV at least once in a given month), and that its platform has delivered more than 1 billion minutes of watched video so far. The average VRV user has been spending about three hours per week watching content on VRV, while premium users spend about five hours per week (or about 43 minutes per day) on the service.
VRV parent company Ellation is a portfolio company of Otter Media, the OTT-focused joint venture of AT&T and The Chernin Group.
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