RAKUTEN TV TO LAUNCH STARZPLAY SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE IN EUROPE

Rakuten TV announced the launch of its new SVOD service, Starzplay. The international premium streaming service from Starz offers viewers access to original series, acclaimed acquired content, and a blockbuster movie library featuring thousands of titles. “Starzplay will allow us to enrich our current proposition providing an always more varied and extensive offer within the platform, we are very excited about this new launch," Teresa López, European Content Director at Rakuten TV said. "At Rakuten TV we are eager to continue reinforcing our content offer to provide the best quality content and complete experience to our users just one click away.”

Rakuten TV users from Spain, UK, Italy, France, and Germany can now register the new premium SVOD service, which offers a free trial upon subscribing to the service and agreeing to pay a monthly payment of £4.99 afterward. The content's compatible devices within the Rakuten TV app are Smart TVs, and mobile devices, and any other device that has access to the web.

The partnership solidifies Rakuten TV’s growth across Europe, with its recent launches of other third-party channels, allowing users to have simple access to a wide range of entertainment content. The move was facilitated by Rakuten TV's pre-installed app on Smart TVs and its branded remote control across the main TV manufacturers, allowing users direct access to the platform.“This multi-territory partnership creates an exciting opportunity for Starzplay to expand our reach in the marketplace and introduce new audiences to our vast library of compelling series and films,” said Superna Kalle, Executive Vice President, International Digital Networks for Starz. “We look forward to deepening our relationship with European viewers through Rakuten TV who shares our commitment to providing audiences with premium content paired with a user-friendly experience.”

Starzplay consists of hundreds of movies and TV series, including "The Great," written by Tony McNamara, starring Elle Fanning, and Nicholas Hoult premieres on 18th June via the streaming service. The series is a satirical, comedic drama that covers the rise of Catherine the Great from outsider to the longest-reigning female ruler in Russia’s history and is aimed to be one of the surprises of the season.

During its launch, the crime series from Jerry Bruckheimer, Hightown, will be available on the platform, and subscribers can look forward to the highly-anticipated Starz Original series "Power Book II: Ghost," starring Mary J. Blige. Additionally, curated content such as horror series "Castle Rock" by Stephen King and J.J. Abrams, starring Lizzy Caplan and Tim Robbins, award-winning comedy-drama series, "Ramy" and "The Act" starring Patricia Arquette and Joey King will be among the highlighted titles on Rakuten TV.