rlaxx TV to monetise linear ad breaks with smartclip

Monday, September 20th, 2021 
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smartclip partners with linear streaming service rlaxx TV

  • The channel-based and ad-funded video on demand service will be monetised by smartclip across Europe

HAMBURG — smartclip, the ad tech unit of RTL Group, and rlaxx TV, the new European advertising-based video on demand service, partner to monetise the linear ad breaks within the rlaxx TV channel-offering across Europe. The rlaxxTV service encourages viewers to quickly access and enjoy great content while avoiding long search time through highly curated special-interest channels.

The cooperation will kick off in rlaxx TV’s core markets including UK and Germany while Spain will join the lineup within the next few months. Additional countries will be added as rlaxx TV enters new markets. For monetisation efforts smartclip is collaborating with RTL AdConnect to bring in additional international demand in all regions, as well as with AdAlliance specifically in Germany. In all other markets across Europe smartclip is unilaterally responsible for rlaxx TV’s media sales.

“To monetise our diverse connected TV offering across European markets, a strong network of locally embedded partners is essential”, said Ronny Lutzi, rlaxx TV CEO. “With smartclip and its sister company RTL AdConnect as well as AdAlliance we have found a partner who can offer that out of one hand throughout our key markets in Europe. Their local expertise in all markets is second to none, while they are not limited to a single country. This allows us to monetise our offering in all relevant areas without friction.”

rlaxxTV offers a connected TV experience reminiscent of linear broadcast TV with low entry barriers for users and highly viewable ad breaks. The premium special interest channels are geared towards specific audiences. The diverse lineup including Vevo, ThrillOne and Gusto TV ranges from rlaxx TV series, showing a handpicked selection of free TV content across genres from factual entertainment to travel series, and Humanity, offering a range of high-class documentaries and factual content from all over the world to Young Hollywood the leading digital celebrity and lifestyle network for Millennial and Gen-Z audiences.

rlaxxTV ad breaks are limited to a maximum time of one minute, while the total ad time per hour is limited to eight minutes — three minutes less than in broadcast TV. This ensures minimal intrusiveness. Users are fully focused on their content and will stay alert for the duration of any given spot. The VoD content is monetised via pre-roll ads and ad pods (three video ads in a row).

“rlaxx TV’s linear channels recreate the look and feel of broadcast TV”, added Stephen Byrne, Executive Director, New Partnerships Europe at smartclip.” The audience- and theme-based channels and digital targeting capabilities allow us to deliver highly relevant ads, while the user experiences the one-minute-ad-breaks just like traditional TV advertising. This combination of viewability and relevancy makes advertising on rlaxx TV truly advanced and highly attractive for advertisers.”

Links: smartclip; rlaxx TV