Exclusives

One of the largest independent media groups in Europe has tapped Israel’s Applicaster to get its TV channels on mobile platforms across Europe.

ProSiebenSat.1 Group — which reaches more than 42 million TV homes daily in Germany, Austria and Switzerland — asked Applicaster to develop six new apps for its TV channels in Germany, using Applicaster’s app-publishing platform Zapp, a SaaS that offers broadcasters a way to launch and maintain feature-filled video apps.

The apps — ProSieben, SAT.1, kabel eins, SAT.1 Gold, sixx and ProSieben MAXX — may place a strong emphasis on live TV viewing (with a free live stream of each channel) but also has VOD features for the latest TV episodes, and a news feature. The apps also integrate social media services and second screen interactivity.

“Applicaster’s platform allowed us to create an elegant, intuitive app for each of our channels — which we can now replicate for other channels quickly and easily without any development,” said Jens Doka, chief product officer at ProSiebenSat.1 Digital. “It also gave us the flexibility we needed to integrate our own video player seamlessly while benefiting from the second screen and engagement features that Applicaster offers.”

Peter Cassidy, GM of Europe for Applicaster, said the Zapp platform’s ability to help broadcasters and media companies build white-label apps on-demand has become a crucial need in today’s mobile world. He touted that the platform allows for apps to be managed remotely, without requiring updates on the user side.

“We are very proud to work with ProSiebenSat.1 on this groundbreaking project and to deliver six beautiful new apps that their viewers can enjoy to watch live TV, catch up and interact with their favorite shows,” Cassidy said. “Our Zapp platform and core SDK give broadcasters the ability to launch distinctive, feature-rich apps at speed and scale while benefiting automatically from our roadmap of innovation and continuous update – keeping them ahead of the curve in terms of new operating systems, devices and viewer expectations.”

The addition of ProSiebenSat.1 to its client list gives Applicaster yet another major broadcaster using its services, covering Mediaset, RTL Netherlands, Televisa, Univision, Fox International, Mediacorp and more. Major TV brands using Applicaster include “The Amazing Race,” “The Voice,” “Big Brother” and “The Bachelor.”