Lionsgate announced this morning the launch of a Spanish-language OTT service called Pantaya, which will target Hispanic viewers across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
Pantaya, priced at $5.99 per month, marks a partnership between Lionsgate and Hemisphere Media — a U.S. Hispanic TV network owner — and will comprise both current and classic films as well as documentaries, concerts, and other original series. While media giant Univision will contribute marketing as well as titles from its library, it is not an investment partner in the venture, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Pantaya, which is available now online and on iOS, Android, Roku, and via Amazon Channels, will serve as the exclusive streaming platform for feature releases from Pantelion Films — a joint venture between Lionsgate and the Mexican mass media company Televisa. Some initial titles include, for instance, No Manches Frida and Instructions Not Included. Pantelion’s CEO, Paul Presburger, will also serve as CEO of Pantaya.
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Additionally, Pantaya will offer select films at the same time as they are available in Latin American theaters, as well as films from Lionsgate’s massive library that have been dubbed in Spanish, such as Dirty Dancing and Crank. Upcoming first-run exclusives include the Dominican Republic hit Domirriqueños and the latest installment of Colombia’s El Paseo franchise.
“This platform is the next logical step in Lionsgate’s track record of serving the Hispanic consumer with high-end premium content,” said Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer. “By drawing upon the blockbuster films, vast libraries, and world-class programming resources of its partners, Pantaya is positioned to become a compelling value proposition for Spanish-language and bilingual audiences across the country.”
