Bambu

VOD Type
SVOD, AVOD

Availability
iOS • Android • Roku • Samsung Smart TVs • XBox

Content
Drama, Action, Horror, Romance

D.I.Y. via Aggregator or Direct?
N/A

If Aggregator, is Pitch required?
N/A

Non-Exclusive possible?
N/A

Territories
United States

Launched by Cinedigm. Licensing content from Starrise Media Holdings Limited, BAMBU offers Chinese film & television content from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, showcasing the latest serial dramas, action-adventure, rom-coms, horror thrillers, sci-fi, reality competition, pop music variety, game shows, and more. All with English language dubs or subtitles. It is a linear entertainment channel on its existing VOD service CONtv.

Press Release

Cinedigm Partners with Future Today, Inc. to Distribute the Chinese Entertainment Channel BAMBU

April 11, 2019

LOS ANGELES, April 11, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cinedigm (NASDAQ: CIDM) announced today a partnership with leading OTT platform Future Today, Inc. to distribute the Company’s popular Chinese entertainment channel BAMBU—giving the network the widest distribution of any Chinese content AVOD channel in the United States. Future Today is one of the globe’s major AVOD channel networks, owning and operating more than 700 content channels with over 60 million app installs, and managing 200,000-plus film, television and digital content assets that currently receive over 85 million video views per month in a variety of categories such as entertainment, movies, food & lifestyle, animation, and kids. BAMBU will launch on Future Today in June.

Future Today’s cloud-based technology and ad-based monetization platform manages OTT services for more than 350 content owners, producers, distributors, and major media companies, enabling them to launch and monetize complex Connected TV channels across devices in a matter of days. Using their dynamic advertising technology and expert sales capabilities, Future Today will play a crucial role in the monetization of BAMBU, and will spearhead the flourishing entertainment outlet’s re-launch across the OTT platform’s connected distribution network which includes televisions, set-top boxes, mobile apps, and online services.

Announced earlier this year, BAMBU provides viewers with a unique and innovative experience specializing in content previously unavailable to American audiences. With a primary focus on Millennial and Gen Z viewers, BAMBU offers curated programming that spans far beyond typical martial arts dramas, putting the spotlight on a diverse roster featuring modern action epics, intense serials, romantic comedies, sci-fi favorites, horror, and fantasy adventure sagas, as well as music and reality series, and educational programming ranging from instructional Chinese language courses to culinary shows—all coming together to form the only complete Chinese entertainment platform in the United States. The channel’s content is constantly being refreshed and refined based on what is resonating with its audience.

BAMBU viewers can enjoy a wide selection of films featuring Jackie Chan in the 2017 fantasy Namiya, Ziyi Zhang in the 2013 spy farce My Lucky Star, the sci-fi mystery Battle Of Memories, supernatural rom-com Beautiful Accident, road trip comedy Breakup Buddies, the noir-inspired crime epic Cock And Bull, tense cat-and-mouse thriller The Devotion Of Suspect X, the father-and-son drama Lost And Love, and many more, as well as popular programs such as Journey To The West, the most-watched television show in Chinese history; current hit Diamond Lover; and the acclaimed documentary series A Bite Of China, among others.

“Cinedigm is proud to continue our partnership with Future Today, Inc., as we re-launch BAMBU on their diverse network of platforms,” said Erick Opeka, President of Cinedigm Digital Networks. “Their long-established and highly successful advertising and sales strategies are a truly invaluable resource that will play a vital role in further expanding our reach. We look forward to introducing BAMBU to an even wider audience, providing them with a unique viewing experience that they simply cannot find anywhere else.”

“Future Today is pleased to have the opportunity to join with Cinedigm on the distribution of the BAMBU channel,” said Vikrant Mathur, Co-Founder of Future Today. “Our talented team has had great success in the launch and monetization of hundreds of networks, and we are excited to bring this expertise to BAMBU on an even larger scale, as we work to give the platform the widest distribution among all Chinese-content channels in the United States.”

Cinedigm recently announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Future Today for $45 million in cash, and $15 million in Cinedigm Common stock. The transaction is expected to close in the second calendar quarter of 2019 and is subject to customary closing conditions.

ABOUT CINEDIGMSince inception, Cinedigm (NASDAQ: CIDM) has been a leader at the forefront of the digital transformation of content distribution. Adapting to the rapidly transforming business needs of today’s entertainment landscape, Cinedigm remains a change-centric player focused on providing content, channels and services to the world’s largest media, technology and retail companies. Cinedigm’s Content and Networks groups provide original and aggregated programming, channels and services that entertain consumers globally across hundreds of millions of devices. For more information, visit www.cinedigm.com.

ABOUT FUTURE TODAYEstablished in 2006 by Founder and CEO Alok Ranjan and Co-Founders Vikrant Mathur, Sumeet Anand and Sharib Khan, Future Today, Inc is a pioneer and leader in the OTT media and technology landscape having launched its first suite of OTT channels in 2011. The company has also successfully developed popular channels like HappyKids.tv and Fawesome.tv. To date, the company has amassed more than 60 million downloads of their more 700+ channels across a diverse segment of categories including food, lifestyle, news, sports, kids and entertainment. The self-funded company runs a well-managed, cost-efficient and profitable operation. For more information, visit www.futuretodayinc.com.

Press Contact for Cinedigm Digital Networks:Cindy Ronzoni cronzoni@cinedigm.com


Media Play News

Cinedigm Launching Chinese-Centric Bambu SVOD Service

December 18, 2018

Cinedigm Dec. 10 announced a content licensing agreement with Chinese entertainment company Starrise Media Holdings Limited for the pending over-the-top video platform Bambu in the United States. Title selections, the details of which have not yet been released, will be included as part of the Bambu launch in early 2019.

Bambu’s target users include Gen Z (ages 16-24) and millennial (ages 25-35). Those viewers represent over 27% of the U.S. population. This deal follows licensing partnerships with Chinese media companies Youku and China International TVCorporation.

“We believe that the innovative and creative content currently being produced in China can build a genuine fan base here in the U.S.,” Bill Sondheim, president of Cinedigm Entertainment Group and international distribution, said in a statement.

Cinedigm content deals for Bambu, include partnership with CITC to bring more than 500 hours of popular local content to Bambu, including “Nirvana in Fire,” the most popular show in China in 2015; documentary series “A Bite of China,” and “Journey to the West,” the most-watched show in Chinese television history, and “The Advisors Alliance” and “Diamond Lover”.

A partnership with Youku to distribute 30 original Chinese feature filmsin North America on all platforms, including Bambu, digital, physical DVD and Blu-ray Disc, and across all OTT platforms, with a primary focus on major streaming platforms and niche outlets.

Bambu further advances the Cinedigm’s strategy for the bilateral flow of content and OTT streaming networks between North America and China. Additionally, the Los Angeles-based distributor believes Bambu is an important vehicle to provide audience feedback to Chinese producers working to produce films and television for a global audience.

This direct consumer data should help better inform the development process in China about the categories of entertainment content, stories and character that appeal most to an American and eventually global audience, according to Sondheim.

“Cinedigm is focused on delivering TV shows and movies that convey the current modern Chinese lifestyle which will provide a window into the country’s personality and potentially help build greater trust and understanding between our countries at this pivotal time in the relationships development,” he said.


Acknowledgements

Acknowledgments:
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The Film Collaborative would like to recognize the Golden Globe Foundation for their generous support in helping us maintain our online educational tools, video series, and case studies.