Content Americas 2024: Duck TV's strategies to reach the international expansion

In the dynamic realm of the television industry, adaptability is key to survival and growth. Over the past five years, Duck TV has undergone a remarkable transformation, shifting from a traditional ad-free, linear pay television model to a versatile content powerhouse with a distribution-agnostic approach. "Our commitment to content ownership sets us apart in the market. Every program featured on our linear channels, streaming platforms, apps, and through content partnerships is 100% owned by us," explained Iza Piotrowska, Director of Affiliate Sales and Business Development at the MEGA MAX Media to Señal News. "Since our inception in 2008, we have consistently produced new and engaging content, amassing hundreds of hours available for global distribution," she added.

Venturing beyond traditional avenues, Duck TV has embraced the diversification of revenue streams, exploring avenues such as FAST (Free Ad-Supported Television), AVOD (Advertising Video on Demand), SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand), and direct content sales to third parties. Notably, "we have expanded our reach by partnering with unconventional distributors, including airlines, to bring our most popular programming to new audiences," said Piotrowska.

In a paradigm shift, four years ago, 100% of the company revenue relied on traditional linear pay-television distribution. Today, more than 20% of our revenue is generated from these innovative revenue streams. "The exponential growth of FAST revenues, in particular, underscores the success of our strategic diversification," she admitted.

FAST has also opened doors to new geographical territories without impacting its pay TV business in existing markets. "We are excited to announce our recent agreement to launch on Samsung in Mexico and Brazil, building upon successful launches in Australia and New Zealand, as well as in ten other Samsung territories" Piotrowska announced. Additionally, "our FAST channel is available on LG Channels, Xiaomi, VIDAA, Sling, and Transvision, with many new launches in the pipeline for Q1 of 2024," she anticipated.

"Looking towards the Americas, we see a wealth of opportunities. We anticipate further FAST launches, streaming deals, and content sales across the region, reinforcing our commitment to expanding our presence in diverse markets. As we continue to evolve, our focus remains on delivering compelling content while embracing the dynamic shifts in the television industry," she concluded.