Industry veterans prep niche SVOD channels

Fledgling Canada-based media firm TableRock Media has unveiled plans to launch a range of specialist direct-to-consumer international SVOD channels.

The subscription OTT channels will be focused on specific areas of interest and will include guitar-, motorcycle- and aviation-themed channels. The plan is to launch the first services in 2016.

TableRock was created by former GlassBox TV founders Jeffrey Elliot and Joseph Arcuri, the latter of whom is also a former president of AOL Canada and GlassBox CFO. Former Discovery Channel Canada president and HDTV founder Ken Murphy heads the new company’s board.

The firm said its OTT services will be subscription-based and available over the top and via Apple, Android and other connected platforms.

There will be original and acquired content for the ‘hyper-niche’ services. There will also be magazines, blogs and live events as TableTop build communities within the designated specialist areas.

“Over-the-Top content consumption has empowered consumers to make personalised viewing choices and we see an opportunity to provide audiences with premium programming and experiences specifically tailored to their interests,” said Elliott.

“With consumers now in the driver’s seat, our strategy is to create niche media brands that will complement general entertainment subscription-based offerings for global audiences.”