Monaker Group, Inc. , a technology solutions company, announced that Reinhart Interactive TV, a Monaker-funded strategic partnership, has acquired a leading and award winning Interactive TV supplier, founded in 2001 by former employees of Philips Media.

One of the key drivers behind Monaker’s entry into the Digital TV space, is the planned integration of HotPlay’s advertising platform with the TV and broadcaster eco-systems.

With this acquisition, Reinhart Interactive TV combined with HotPlay’s offering becomes an ESP (Entertainment Service Provider). HotPlay will now have access to a pipeline of further acquisitions with the potential of 50 million broadband and mobile customers to deliver more relevant, better monetizing ads and coupons.

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According to Monaker, this acquisition represents a low-cost and timely entry into a new distribution channel covering large geographic areas and servicing a vast user base. It is expected to significantly accelerate HotPlay’s global expansion with the broader and faster adoption of the HotPlay platform by advertisers, who will be able to access more users across all devices (SmartTV, Set Top Box, PC, Laptop, Tablet and Smartphones), thereby driving revenue opportunities and benefits for everyone in the ecosystem.

According to Reinhart Interactive TV’s chairman, Jan Reinhart, “We are excited to leverage HotPlay and create new revenue streams for our growing client base of telecom operators, who are all well-established in their respective eco-systems. I am encouraged by the response we’re already receiving from existing and potential partners interested in new gaming and advertising content solutions.”

As a result of their collaboration, Reinhart Interactive TV and HotPlay expect to develop and provide a gaming ecosystem in which players can seamlessly transition from mobile to television screen, and vice versa, thus increasing customer engagement, keeping users connected on the platform and leading to increased potential for ad revenue and platform “gamer stickiness.” In anticipation of the acquisition and HotPlay integration, Monaker had contracted the development of 16 mini-video games for delivery starting in April. The games are designed to meet the immediate requirements of expanding entertainment options while providing unique in-game advertising and coupon solutions for Reinhart Interactive TV’s current TV and mobile operators.

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Commenting on the opportunity, HotPlay CEO Nithinan (Jess) Boonyawattanapisut said, “We strongly believe that expanding our ecosystem to include television screens should significantly increase the effectiveness of HotPlay’s in-game advertising when it comes to coupon redemption rates, as coupons can be presented to both the individual gamer and his/her entire household. There is tremendous revenue potential to be unlocked and realized here with benefit for the telecom operators, players, and advertisers.”

“Through a series of strategic acquisitions,” added Monaker CEO Bill Kerby, “we are transforming Monaker into a global technology solutions company with proprietary platforms that monetize products and brands across all devices. As soon as the acquisition of HotPlay is completed, we plan to leverage the customer acquisition power of digital gaming and in-game digital advertising to engage consumers for the benefit of major brands and travel providers. Further consolidating acquisitions by Reinhart Interactive TV are expected.”

According to Research and Markets, the Over the Top (OTT) media service market is expected to reach USD 194.20 Billion by 2025, registering a CAGR of 13.87% during the period of 2019-2025.

As previously announced, Monaker is in the process of completing its planned acquisition of HotPlay Enterprise Limited (“HotPlay”), with the next step in that process being Monaker’s special meeting to be held on April 7, 2021, where shareholders will vote on the acquisition of HotPlay and related matters. The acquisition of HotPlay remains subject to closing conditions, provided that Monaker anticipates completing the acquisition, subject to such closing conditions, during the second quarter of calendar 2021.