VIZIO WatchFree+ Reaches Record Growth in Premium Entertainment and Viewership

Rhea-AI Summary

VIZIO (NYSE: VZIO) has announced the expansion of its WatchFree+ streaming service, with over 300 channels, 15,000 on-demand titles, and expanded studio partnerships with Warner Bros. Discovery, Lionsgate, and more. The service has seen a significant increase in viewership, with over 300 channels, 15,000 on-demand titles, and 10 VIZIO-curated channels programmed in-house. VIZIO continues to deliver a free, premium entertainment experience for millions of users, with WatchFree+ viewing hours doubling over the past 12 months. The company is enriching its collection of premium programming available to WatchFree+ users without the need for a subscription, including new channels from Warner Bros. Discovery and Lionsgate, as well as new VIZIO-curated channels and enhanced navigation features in its Electronic Program Guide (EPG) to help viewers find content faster and easier.

Market Research Analyst

VIZIO's announcement of expanding its WatchFree+ streaming service is a strategic move to capitalize on the cord-cutting trend where consumers are shifting away from traditional cable TV. The addition of new channels and on-demand titles, along with partnerships with major studios, positions VIZIO to compete more aggressively in the ad-supported streaming space. This expansion can potentially attract a larger audience, which in turn could lead to increased ad revenue. The doubling of viewing hours over the past year is a strong indicator of user engagement, which is critical for sustaining ad-based models.

It's also worth noting that the curated channels by VIZIO are performing well in their respective genres. This suggests that VIZIO's strategy to cater to niche interests could be effectively differentiating its service in a crowded market. However, the long-term success will depend on the company's ability to maintain a robust content pipeline and user experience that keeps pace with evolving consumer preferences.

Financial Analyst

The expansion of VIZIO's WatchFree+ service is likely to be a focal point for investors as they evaluate the company's ability to generate sustainable revenue streams from its platform. The reported increase in viewership and the expansion of content offerings could be seen as positive indicators for future revenue growth, particularly in the advertising domain. However, it's crucial to monitor the cost associated with content acquisition and whether the increased viewership translates into higher ad rates and sales.

Investors should also consider the competitive landscape, as VIZIO is up against major players in the streaming industry. The company's stock performance (NYSE: VZIO) may reflect market sentiment on whether these initiatives are sufficient to capture significant market share and drive long-term profitability.

Entertainment Industry Analyst

The partnerships with Warner Bros. Discovery, Lionsgate and others are significant as they bring a diverse range of content to VIZIO's platform, which is essential for attracting different demographics. Exclusive channels and on-demand access to popular shows and movies can be a major draw for users. The focus on niche and curated content, such as military-themed programming and channels dedicated to comedy or reality shows, taps into specific audience interests, which can foster a loyal viewer base.

The enhanced navigation with new menu categories reflects a user-centric approach to interface design, which is crucial in retaining viewers and improving the overall user experience. The industry will be watching to see if these updates lead to a measurable increase in user retention and content consumption, which are key drivers for an ad-supported revenue model.

Now, With Over 300 Channels, 15,000 On-Demand Titles, and Expanded Studio Partnerships with Warner Bros. Discovery, Lionsgate, and more

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- VIZIO (NYSE: VZIO) today announced a significant expansion of its WatchFree+ streaming service, a sizable increase in viewership, and new features to enhance discoverability. Now with over 300 channels, 15,000 on-demand titles, 10 VIZIO-curated channels programmed in-house, and expanded studio partnerships with Warner Bros. Discovery, Electric Entertainment, SONY, and Lionsgate, VIZIO continues its commitment to delivering a free, premium entertainment experience for millions of users. And the users love all the great content: WatchFree+ viewing hours have more than doubled over the past 12 months according to internal data.

VIZIO WatchFree+ Reaches Record Growth in Premium Entertainment and Viewership (Graphic: Business Wire)

“WatchFree+ has solidified its position as the premium, free streaming destination for VIZIO households, thanks to our ever-expanding content offering, major studio & network partnerships, and enhanced user experience,” said Katherine Pond, Group Vice President of Platform Content & Partnerships. “With these latest programming additions and product updates, WatchFree+ continues to deliver an entertainment experience that consumers love.”

Growth in Premium Programming

VIZIO is enriching its collection of premium programming available to WatchFree+ users without the need for a subscription, including:

• 11 new channels from Warner Bros. Discovery including Bachelor Nation (ch. 917) featuring favorite moments and episodes from the Bachelor franchise, the bridal reality show Say Yes To The Dress (ch. 911), and action thriller Nikita (ch. 737). Episodes of these shows are also available on-demand, offering the best binge experience for these top-rated shows.
• Six Lionsgate channels including blockbuster films with MovieSphere by Lionsgate (channel 611), premium content tailored to Black audiences from Ebony TV by Lionsgate (ch. 663), and inspiring women on HerSphere by Lionsgate (ch. 631). Also, coming soon are fantasy favorites with OuterSphere by Lionsgate and single IP channels such as the popular game show Celebrity Name Game, and the paranormal reality series Ghost Hunters channel.
• Exclusive 24/7 channel of the cult-classic and drama series Leverage (ch. 710), produced by Electric Entertainment, also on-demand. In addition, the ElectricNOW FAST Channel is coming soon.

New VIZIO Curated Channels

VIZIO’s curated channels have become a go-to destination for many viewers with many of the dedicated channels such as Investigation and Fork & Flight ranking in the top 5 in their genres according to average daily unique devices data for Q4 of 2023.

VIZIO now features 10 channels dedicated to specific interests. New channels include:

• Comedy Club (ch. 950) delivers the best in stand-up comedy, documentaries, and shows featuring comedic giants like Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, Lewis Black, and more.
• Valor (ch. 604), coming in February, features military films, TV series, and documentaries, highlighting the commitment of America’s military services.

New Menu Categories

VIZIO has also enhanced the navigation of its intuitive Electronic Program Guide (EPG) with newly added categories including History, Documentaries, Nature + Science, Entertainment, Mood + Ambiance and more, to help viewers find the content they want to watch faster and easier.

About VIZIO

Founded and headquartered in Orange County, California, our mission at VIZIO Holding Corp. (NYSE: VZIO) is to deliver immersive entertainment and compelling lifestyle enhancements that make our products the center of the connected home. We are driving the future of televisions through our integrated platform of cutting-edge Smart TVs and powerful operating system. We also offer a portfolio of innovative sound bars that deliver consumers an elevated audio experience. Our platform gives content providers more ways to distribute their content and advertisers more tools to connect with the right audience.

For more information, visit VIZIO.com and follow VIZIO on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240206506599/en/

Melissa Hourigan

Fabric Media

melissa@fabricmedia.net

Source: VIZIO Holding Corp

FAQ

What is the ticker symbol for VIZIO?

The ticker symbol for VIZIO is VZIO.

How many channels does WatchFree+ now offer?

WatchFree+ now offers over 300 channels.

What are some of the studio partnerships VIZIO has expanded with?

VIZIO has expanded its studio partnerships with Warner Bros. Discovery, Lionsgate, Electric Entertainment, SONY, and more.

How many on-demand titles are available on WatchFree+?

There are 15,000 on-demand titles available on WatchFree+.

What new categories have been added to the Electronic Program Guide (EPG)?

New categories including History, Documentaries, Nature + Science, Entertainment, Mood + Ambiance, and more have been added to the Electronic Program Guide (EPG).