The telecommunication behemoth just launched their free Go90 video service designed to be a sort-of next generation TV for smartphone lovers born after the year 2000.
Go90 is filled with almost 8,000 TV clips and episodes – more will be added on a regular basis. The Go90 video service has 35 exclusive original TV shows from Verizon’s partners – Endemol Beyond, New Form Digital, Vice and Awesomeness TV.
Yet, with Netflix, Hulu and Amazon already battling each-other for the throne, does Go90 stand a chance?
Analysts are more than skeptical of the new video service’s prospects. It’s clear that Verizon is buying, or developing content to appeal to millennials, but what is unclear is the long term costs they are facing, Paul de Sa, a Bernstein Research Analyst said in his notes.
Brian Angiolet, known as the senior Vice President of consumers products for Verizon says that Go90 is somewhere between Netflix and YouTube. The company wants to bridge the gap between Netflix, Hulu, other premium subscription-based VOD services, and everything that goes on YouTube.
To be fair, Verizon is buying original series left and right and is paying for actual TV shows from CBS Sports, ESPN, Viacom, Discovery Communications, Univision, and Scripps Networks Interactive – shows include the new Daily Show hosted by Trevor Noah and the classic MythBusters.
Original series will be produced by AwesomenessTV, Icon Network and even Vice. A new daily live show type called Top Five Live will feature YouTube star Hunter March – it will be hold in front of a live audience and it will be about recapping the hottest online topics, with guest appearances from the mainstream and digital medium.
Michelle Phan of Icon Network, as well as Vice, will develop an original programming to Verizon – nobody knows what it will be all about.
What we do know is that New Form Digital has six scripted series already lined-up – expect announcements to roll out soon.
The Go90 video service is available for Android and iOS devices. This means a huge potential for social media features. Verizon announced a few of them – crews can be formed with other social media users that have the same common interest, as well as the ability to clip content segments and share them on Facebook.
Publicis Groupe just made a huge commitent to Go90, AOL’s global head of mobile Chad Gallagher said recently. Publicis announced that its agencies and clients will have exclusive advertising inventory on Verizon’s new Go90 video service for three months. This deal begins in the fourth quarter, and it will extend to Q3 of 2016.
Whether the Go90 video service will be a hit or not, we’ll have to wait at least until 2017. Until then, let’s jump on it and see what TV series we can binge watch this weekend.