Fast Growing OTT Sports Platform Recast Expands Global Offering Allowing Rights Holders And Content To Reach Otherwise Untapped Audiences Across The Globe
22 June 2021
Ambitious direct-to-consumer sports OTT platform accelerates global expansion plans due to demand from rights holders and content creators
Senior Tech and Media Executive and experienced investor Rob Zeko joins the business as Chief Commercial Officer to ramp up revenue generation and expansion into new global territories
Recast, the ambitious Edinburgh-based sports Over-The-Top (OTT) platform that recently raised $8.2 million (£5.9 million) in its Series A round of investment, is accelerating its global expansion plans allowing rights holders and content creators to reach untapped global audiences.
The company’s pioneering direct-to-customer video platform connects rights holders, fans and brands – for free – on one single OTT platform using per view micro-transaction. Fans can now watch the best sporting action from any device, giving complete choice, no monthly fees and the ability to supplement their viewing by earning in-app credits called “Cast Credits” for sharing and watching branded content.
Due to appetite from rights holders who want to maximise their global reach and take advantage of untapped audiences, Recast will be available in the US and Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, the Middle East and North Africa as well as the UK. With other countries following shortly.
Rights holders and content creators, of all sizes, can now access free technology that will allow them to digitally transform their organisation and keep up with the pace of today's broadcasting landscape. Rights holders will simply be able to select what countries their content is available in, on a per video basis and will be able to set their own price whilst earning from every view.
Commenting on the news Andy Meikle, Recast’s CEO and Founder said: “I’m very excited with these major developments, particularly as we’re now solving two major issues. Firstly, without any costs associated, rights holders will now be able to go direct-to-customer and monetise audiences in markets where they don’t have existing or complimentary commercial relations. Secondly, fans in these regions will now benefit from getting flexible and affordable access to sport they otherwise may have been unable to watch and in some cases may have resorted to illegal streams.”
To accelerate global expansion Recast has also confirmed that Senior Tech and Media Executive and experienced investor, Rob Zeko, will be joining the company as Chief Commercial Officer with responsibility for driving overall value creation via revenue generation, corporate development and overarching business strategy. Rob’s extensive global experience and network across an array of verticals including SaaS, technology, sports, entertainment, and media will be instrumental as Recast enters new markets with a laser focus on collaborating with strategic investors and partners to propel the business into its next growth stage.
“As we ramp up our global expansion plans due to unprecedented demand, I am delighted to welcome someone of Rob’s calibre to the Recast management team,” said Mr Meikle. “Everyone should have the opportunity to digitally transform their organisation and I’m delighted that Rob is joining us at such a crucial stage of our life cycle to offer a monetisation solution for free.”
Rob Zeko, who will establish and strengthen relationships with key global partners and drive overall business strategy as well as support further fundraising efforts, said: “Recast’s OTT micropayment model has come to market at a time when global sports organisations are facing numerous challenges with traditional distribution - expanding the business into new markets allows our partners to have full control over their rights and directly monetise their content.”
Rather than having to rely on traditional channels, who take the lion's share of advertising revenue and don’t focus on giving value directly, content creators and rights holders will now have complete choice and control over their distribution model.”
As Recast continues to develop its OTT platform, currently in the beta stage of testing, rights holders can create a free account, within one minute and start benefiting from an incentivised sharing model using micropayments via a platform that’s free from abuse – just some of the reasons why the company has struck a chord with the industry.
Recast is already working with several high-profile rights holders and bodies – including golf’s European Tour, Manchester City FC, Table Tennis England and Hibernian FC – each using its groundbreaking technology to help maximise their earning potential from highlights, in-play clips and live events.
Recast’s beta platform is live and fans can now become a part of the community at recast.app
