Brave Bison Regulatory News (BBSN)

08 July 2014

H1 Business Update: Rightster Announces Accelerated Growth in Video Views, Global eCPM and Key Strategic Partnerships for First Half of 2014

Average video views for H1 2014 up 48.4% on H2 2013

Global eCPM up 184% for first half of the year

Bauer Media, Scripps Networks International, Al Jazeera Media Network, eNews Channel Africa, BT Media and Broadcast and the BFI all added to Rightster's online video network

Rightster Group plc (LSE AIM: RSTR), the cloud-based global video distribution and monetisation network that enables content owners to upload once and commercialise everywhere, today releases an update on its key business developments for the first half of 2014.

Rightster continues to show strong growth in its video traffic with average video views for H1 2014 estimated at 371 million per month, a 48.4% increase on H2 2013 (where the average monthly video views were 250 million). This continued acceleration of growth comes from new and existing clients and includes the Company's YouTube Multi Channel Network ("MCN") channel management services, distribution to content producers' own sites in the Rightster Player and distribution to Rightster's network of over 7,500 publishers and platforms.

The Company's effective Cost Per Mille (eCPM), which measures the cost per thousand impressions, is up 184% from January to June 2014. This rapid increase can be attributed to the breadth and continued escalation of Rightster's premium publisher scale, the content around compelling events such as the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the engagement of Rightster's audience in its key verticals and Rightster's strengthening relationship with its advertising agency and brand partners.

In June, Rightster entered into a partnership with Bauer Media to accelerate its online video strategy both on and off YouTube. While in May, Rightster signed a distribution partnership with Scripps Networks International to syndicate and monetise premium lifestyle content in the UK for both the Food Network and Travel Channel.Additionally in June, Rightster partnered with Al Jazeera Media Network to syndicate up to 30 English language short-form international news clips per day to grow Al Jazeera Media Network's audience reach and generate revenue streams in new international territories including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia, Singapore and Hong Kong.In March, Rightster entered into a 360° partnership with eNews Channel Africa (eNCA) encompassing its on and off YouTube activity. The partnership sees Rightster manage the eNCAnews YouTube channel and syndicate eNCA short-form news clips globally outside of South Africa. The partnership aims to grow views, subscriptions and revenues on the eNCAnews YouTube channel, while increasing eNCA's audience reach and generating new revenue streams in new international territories.

While in June, the Company entered into a framework agreement with BT Media and Broadcast to offer an integrated live streaming solution for sports and other major live event clients. In the same month Rightster also signed a deal with the British Film Institute (BFI) to manage its YouTube presence. Rightster will work closely with the BFI to grow the partnership through future syndicate opportunities.

Paul Keenan, CEO Bauer Media, commented: 'We are delighted to have selected Rightster to help develop and engage video audiences across our own sites and major platforms like YouTube."

Kate Bradshaw, VP Digital Scripps Networks UK & EMEA, commented: "As the leading global developers and broadcasters of lifestyle programming, our content is popular whenever and wherever audiences find it. Working with Rightster allows us to reach food and travel fans wherever they may be, on whatever device they're using."  

Ehab Sahawneh, Executive Director of Marketing and Distribution Al Jazeera Media Network, commented: "Al Jazeera Media Network is excited to be partnering with Rightster to further distribute its award winning content to key content partners in the global market. This supports our strategy of reaching and engaging audiences on all platforms, and Rightster's partner network is a great way for us to achieve these goals. 

Timothy Spira, General Manager of Online at eNCA, commented: "YouTube is an important and growing platform for eNCA.com, providing us with broad, international reach and complementing the eNCA.com website. The initial popularity of our YouTube channel underscored the platform's potential to help us reach a wider audience and establish new revenue streams. Rightster, with their proven success in the news space, is the ideal partner to assist us in this endeavour.Rob Clarke, Product Manager BT Media and Broadcast, commented: "We are always looking to partner with service providers to maximise the scope of BT's client proposition. Rightster's innovative solutions are a great fit for our global ambitions"Charlie Muirhead, Founder & CEO Rightster, added: "In our second performance update of 2014, I'm excited to see Rightster's further acceleration of growth in average video views, eCPM and the addition of some exceptionally strong partnerships in the media, news, film, sport, food and travel sectors. Rightster's upload once, monetise everywhere model allows new content creators to share online videos worldwide, accessing a huge array of publishers at a touch of a button. The new additions to Rightster's network increase both the volume of quality content available for publishing and distribution partners to access and the audiences available to content producers, in turn increasing opportunities for advertising revenues. "As previously announced, our second-generation software is on track to roll out this year, which will bring many additional benefits to our clients, generate further efficiencies to Rightster's operations and deliver new revenue streams."

For further information please contact:

Rightster plc via Newgate Threadneedle

Alison Crombie, VP of Corporate Communications & Events

Cenkos Securities Tel: 020 7397 8900

Max Hartley (Nomad) / Julian Morse (Sales)

Newgate Threadneedle Tel: 020 7653 9850

Caroline Evans-Jones / Josh Royston / Heather Armstrong

About Rightster Group plc

Founded in May 2011 by CEO Charles Muirhead, with the vision of enabling media businesses to overcome the huge fragmentation in the online video market with a single technology platform for engaging audiences and transacting with optimal efficiency. Rightster's software and services make it simple for sports, fashion, news, entertainment and viral rights holders to enhance the value of their video whether on a licenced, ad-funded, direct to consumer or paid placement basis.

Rightster's network currently stands at over 850 content owners and over 7,500 publishers. The Group employs approximately 183 staff in 10 offices across 10 countries.