National, 18th September, 2017: Viacom18’s Video-on demand streaming service, VOOT, has won the coveted ‘International Broadcasting Convention 2017 (IBC2017) Innovation Award for Content Distribution’ for its Progressive Web App (PWA) product- VOOT Lite. IBC, which annually awards the latest innovations in media & technology, recognized VOOT’s pioneering initiative in giving mobile web users an app like experience in consuming digital video.VOOT was the only online video service that was shortlisted for the awards, along with other leading organizations, amongst 190 plus entries from around the world. VOOT won the award at a prestigious ceremony in Amsterdam yesterday.
VOOT is the first video platform in the world to have launched a Progressive Web App (PWA) product and that includes offline page caching functionality, fast loading, responsive interface and push notifications. VOOT was an early adopter of this technology which led to a huge jump in users and video watch time on its mobile web. The ‘Add to Home Screen’ feature of PWA allows the user to launch the page from their home screen like a native app and a service worker decreases load times.
Speaking about the awards, Gaurav Gandhi, COO, Viacom18 Digital Ventures added, “To win the IBC2017 Innovation Award for Content Distribution is a huge honor for us at VOOT. In the Video steaming business, both Content & Technology play an equally important role. While Viacom18 is well known for pioneering efforts & leadership in the content business, it is indeed great to have our company feature on the global technology leaderboard as well. In this business particularly, partnerships & alliances are key to achieving big milestones and we would like to thank the team at Google for providing us support in our PWA”
VOOT by Viacom18, launched in 2016 currently hosts over 40,000 hours of content on its streaming service and has over 25 million monthly active users. VOOT has a plethora of popular content—including blockbuster movies, largest library of premium kids’ shows, VOOT originals, online-only features, and a huge library of popular TV shows across languages made available for streaming across India. The ad-supported VOD service, besides being the singular destination for the Viacom 18 network content, also has a big focus on digital Originals, besides being the leader in the kids digital video space
ABOUT VOOT
VOOT is a digital video-on-demand streaming service from the house of Viacom18. With a content library of close to 40,000 hours across Viacom18’s network content, content around content, VOOT Kids and VOOT Originals, the platform caters to varying needs of discerning audiences across segments. Operating currently as an ad-supported service in India, VOOT has amassed over 40 million app downloads and over 25 million monthly active users. VOOT was awarded the coveted ‘Best app of 2016’ title by Google Play and VOOT’s Progressive Web App (PWA) project has been recognized as one of the top global innovations of 2017 by International Broadcasting Convention. VOOT continues to take the leadership mantel on innovation, for both content & product features, aimed at providing an immersive experience to its users.
About VIACOM18
Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd. is one of India's fastest growing entertainment networks and a house of iconic brands that offers multi-platform, multi-generational and multicultural brand experiences. A joint venture of Viacom Inc. and the Network18 Group, Viacom18 defines entertainment in India by touching the lives of people through its properties on air, online, on ground, in shop and through cinema.