TORONTO – Internet rebroadcaster JumpTV has signed an agreement to stream its international TV channels to people in the United States through AOL’s portal at http://video.aol.com/jumptv.
Around 60 ethnic channels from nearly 30 countries are currently available to AOL Video portal users, and the number is expected to increase over the next several months.
JumpTV’s deal with AOL Video coincides with the Internet rebroadcaster launching a free-to-consumer service in the United States that is supported by advertising. Previously, JumpTV operated on a subscription-only basis.
“We targeted AOL as our first mainstream U.S. distribution partner for free, live TV because AOL has especially loyal users, an iconic brand, and unmatched experience in online video programming,” said JumpTV head of global distribution Mike John-Baptiste.
AOL Video senior vice-president Fred McIntyre added, “We are excited to be able to offer JumpTV’s exclusive, live international television programming online given the growing demand for worldwide news and entertainment features. We’re pleased to be able to make JumpTV’s programming available to the underserved market of those living in the United States whose native language is not English.”
