Online video service iStream.com ties up with TV18-Viacom18 JV IndiaCast

Online video service iStream has partnered with IndiaCast, a joint venture between TV18 and Viacom18 that distributes TV channels across various platforms, to videostream content from IndiaCast's 20 partner broadcasters.

The multi-year licensing deal will also enable Bangalore-based iStream to offer video-on-demand services online as well as on smart phones and tablets. The online video service platform will have dedicated landing pages for each of these channels and will showcase popular shows. iStream will provide its audience access to leading TV channels, such as Colors, MTV, CNN IBN, CNBC TV18, CNBC Awaaz etc.

"This is one of the most important deals we have signed so far. IndiaCast brings to the table some of the most-watched TV networks in the country, giving us access to one of the largest libraries of news, entertainment and regional content," said Radhakrishnan Ramachandran, founder and CEO, iStream.com.

IndiaCast group CEO Anuj Gandhi said, "At this juncture, it is imperative for us to take our content from TV to online and give access to our viewers across all platforms. With a rich library of content already available with IndiaCast, fiction shows to news, this partnership with iStream will help us further our connect with the audience online."

Launched in December 2011, iStream.com claims to have two million unique users per month, translating to over eight million video views a month. The company uploads close to 500 videos a day and has uploaded about 120,000 videos so far. It streams 26 news channels in English, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam.  By December 2013, iStream.com is targeting to reach five million unique users and over 20 million video views per month.

New Delhi-based IndiaCast is a content asset monetisation platform which distributes 26 domestic and international TV channels from TV18 and Viacom18 across platforms including cable, DTH,  IPTV, etc. It also provides placement services and content syndication for TV18, Viacom18, A+E Networks, ETV channels, etc.

(Edited by Prem Udayabhanu)