VIZIO Announces Expanded Content Offering with VIZIO Features

By Business Wire On Oct 20, 2021

Leveraging VIZIO’s First-Party Viewership Data, VIZIO Creates and Delivers Custom Content Experiences for Audiences that Also Offer More Value for Content Creators and Advertisers

VIZIO announced a slate of new content available through its VIZIO Features offering, including a series of custom-curated channels on the rapidly growing WatchFree+ streaming service.

“Viewers get access to programming customized to their tastes, and brands get a new and innovative advertising format to reach them. We couldn’t wait to jump at the chance to participate.”

VIZIO Features is an exclusive content offering that leverages VIZIO’s first party, opted-in viewership data and homescreen targeting capabilities to deliver personalized content experiences to audiences via free ad-supported channels, movies, and shows across the VIZIO SmartCast® operating system.

On the heels of the success of VIZIO’s first curated offerings, Fork & Flight and Investigation, VIZIO is expanding the Features offering to include a wider selection of content genres. The creation of these channels is part of VIZIO’s ongoing commitment to deliver more of what audiences want. Audiences can dive into the following featured channels, available exclusively on WatchFree+:

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Channel	Category	Description
*FORK & FLIGHT*	*Home + Food*	A unique mix of today’s most popular culinary and travel TV shows alongside top digital creators and trendsetters. The channel will also feature special holiday content in the months to come. Since its launch, *Fork & Flight* has become the top food-based programming channel on WatchFree+ with 5X the viewership of any other channel within the Home + Food category.
* GAMERNATION*	*Gaming + Anime*	*Gamernation* is a Subnation curated, always-on channel, delivering video game and esports programming from top gaming influencers and publishers like Studio71 and Complex, as well as original shows, action packed movies and the latest news from around the Metaverse.
*INVESTIGATION*	*Crime*	*Investigation* unlocks the door to real crime and the unknown, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at investigations, as well as in-depth explorations. Crime is a top performing category across WatchFree+ after just a few weeks on the platform, VIZIO *Investigation* has become one of the top three channels on WatchFree+.
*MISSION*	*Movies + TV*	Prepare for take-off! Allow your imagination to take you on a sci-fi *Mission* to other realms and the unknown. Since its debut just two weeks ago, *Mission* is already performing in the top ten channels of the sci-fi category and soon audiences can dive into episodes of Godzilla.
*FEAR*	*Movies + TV*	Don’t *Fear* getting sucked into the terror of your stream — just be prepared to scream! Enter at your own risk… In its first week, *Fear* has become a top horror movie channel in the horror sci-fi category.
*POLARIS*	*Interests + Lifestyle*	Launched by cultural journalists, personalities, and music historians, *Polaris* exists to uncover and share stories created by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and authentically share Hip-Hop and Black culture with the world. Coming Soon…

The addition of these curated channels featuring exclusive content marks VIZIO’s latest evolution as an end-to-end content provider, leveraging its unique first-party viewership data, historically used to serve the most relevant ads, to now curate and deliver the most relevant programming as well.

‘Features’ themes and programming are selected based on what viewers have shown the greatest interest in across millions of SmartCast devices. The result is a free, curated experience that allows viewers to quickly and easily find the content they love most with bingeable back-to-back programming.

“Features is a good business model for VIZIO because it solves problems for viewers, advertisers and content partners alike,” said Steve DeMain, VP Engagement at VIZIO. “Our Features programming strategy delivers more of what our viewers love across multiple genres. And by developing these passionate audiences, we are not only building great sponsorship opportunities for brands, but we are also helping our content partners generate new revenue with VIZIO.”

In the coming months, VIZIO will expand its VIZIO Features offering with new channels and experiences focused on home & DIY, holidays, live concerts, naturescape programming, and more.

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Creating More Value in the Ecosystem

For content creators and media companies, curated channels offered as a part of VIZIO Features create an additional distribution touchpoint across WatchFree+ audiences, providing even greater reach. Inclusion alongside other similar content allows content creators and distributors to find and build new audiences while creating an additional revenue stream, and offers even more insight into what content resonates best with WatchFree+ audiences.

VIZIO Features provides VIZIO Ads customers with expanded advertising opportunities and branded content solutions while delivering premium entertainment to millions of viewers who choose VIZIO SmartCast as the first stop in their streaming journey. VIZIO Features are driving higher CPMs and offer advertisers unique ways to reach viewers, including in-program video ads, banner ads and branded channel sponsorship opportunities. Major brands including Microsoft, Grey Goose, Freshworks, and Cracker Barrel have already worked with VIZIO Ads to realize the value of advertising in the VIZIO Features environment.

“VIZIO’s Features option is a win-win-win for everyone navigating CTV advertising investments,” said Freshworks CMO Stacey Epstein. “Viewers get access to programming customized to their tastes, and brands get a new and innovative advertising format to reach them. We couldn’t wait to jump at the chance to participate.”

Additionally, VIZIO executives and launch partner Polaris, will discuss the opportunities for brands during a breakfast session today at Advertising Week in New York.