TDF, a longstanding DTT broadcaster, has just signed a strategic deal with Molotov while also taking a minority equity stake in the firm.
Molotov, which launched its consumer platform on July 11, 2016, provides new ways to discover and watch television. Molotov strives to come up with new ways to enjoy watching TV every day by giving free access to DTT channels and developing unmatched features such as Restart(*) and Catch-Up TV (**), following your favorite celebrities, bookmarking (**) your favorite programs etc.
Thanks to this deal, Molotov users equipped with Internet-enabled TV sets will benefit from top quality live DTT viewing (HD and UHD in due course) without encountering any transmission problems, while enjoying the unique Molotov experience.
For TDF, Molotov represents a novel way to meet the new aspirations of TV viewers, while adding a more comprehensive TV experience to DTT backed by:
– 24/7 on-demand catch-up TV,
– Restart,
– Access to further pay-TV offers,
– Availability of connected TV on all screens including computers, mobile phones and tablets,
– A help function for TV viewers to find out about the various TV offers.
Olivier Huart, TDF CEO, said:
“By taking an equity stake in Molotov, we are teaming up with a French start-up and in so doing, will enhance TV viewing, especially for the 15 million French homes equipped with DTT. Combining Molotov with access to our top quality free DTT package will pave the way for the most attractive offers and the most comprehensive TV viewing experience for the general public throughout France.“
Pierre Lescure, chairman of the board and co-founder of Molotov, said:
“Molotov strives to revolutionize TV viewing by providing top quality and often inaccessible content via a modern interface that we are currently developing. Backed by our deal with TDF to develop a hybrid version of Molotov, we will harness the power and strength of the DTT Network to further enhance the customer experience.”
About Molotov
Molotov’s founders set up the firm with a view to modernizing access to television. The firm provides a new TV channel distribution service. Backed by Jean-David Blanc, founder of AlloCiné, Pierre Lescure, founder of Canal+, Jean-Marc Denoual (formerly of TF1), Molotov strives to come up with new TV experiences while offering a new way to view programs and channels. The Molotov service was launched on July 11, 2016 in France.
About TDF
For the past 40 years, TDF has served media and telecoms operators. With its 10,100 sites, ultrahigh speed network, technical platforms and know-how built up over decades, TDF broadcasts 35 DTT channels and 900 FM radio stations, in addition to deploying networks for the four French mobile phone operators. From connected DTT to video on demand, catch-up TV, web-based media, ultra-high speed connections and datacenters – these are just some of the services for new media consumption habits that TDF is developing to support
customers.
(*) Restart: option to start watching a program from the beginning
(**) Eventually given that not all programs are currently available
