Tvigle

tvigle.ru

Type of site	Video on demand
Available in	Russian
Owner	Egor Yakovlev[1]
Website	tvigle.ru
Commercial	Yes
Registration	Not required
Launched	2007
Current status	Active

Tvigle is a website, video syndication network and over-the-top (OTT) delivery service offering ad-supported on-demand streaming of TV shows, webisodes and other videos^[2] from the likes of: BBC Worldwide, Fox, ABC, Nickelodeon, Channel One and other smaller networks. Tvigle videos are offered only to users in Russia and Ukraine, in Flash Video and HTML5 format, as well as 288p, 360p, 480p, and 720p HD. Via proprietary SaaS service VideoPublisher Tvigle also provides services for clients, among which are popular Russian media television channels, such as Forbes, Dailymotion, MTV Russia and Muz-TV.

Tvigle is a privately owned company, started by Egor Yakovlev in 2007 but is 25% owned by Allianz ROSNO since 2009, later followed by investment from Media3 in 2011.^[3]

History

Tvigle Media LLc was established in 2007 as an internet video platform, offering content to a Russian audience.^[4]

The Tvigle Video Publisher was established in 2008, offering web syndication and SaaS services for other websites and media clients. Video Publisher customers can access Tvigle licensed content, and have the ability to upload and use their own video content.

In 2009, in addition to BBC Worldwide, ABC and Fox programs and movies, Tvigle began producing short videos. Versus, a short animated series, was a hit on the Russian internet in 2009 and 2010. In September 2012, Tvigle resumed the show and launched a new season of the cartoon with 20 new episodes.

Features

Tvigle is accessible on a range of platforms, which include:

• Smart televisions^[5][6][7][8]
• Dune, BBK, set-top boxes and games consoles
• Smartphones and tablets

In 2009, a subscription-free version of the service was launched in the iTunes App Store,^[9] for devices running iOS version 4 or higher.

Programming

Tvigle includes programming from multiple networks, including:

Networks and channels

• Fox
• The Walt Disney Company: ABC, ABC Family
• Nickelodeon
• Channel One
• CTC Media
• MTV Russia

Tvigle Exclusive (catch-up broadcasting)

In 2011, Tvigle Media signed deals with BBC Worldwide^[10] and Fox International to offer catch-up broadcasting^[11][12] of the new seasons of popular shows, dubbed in Russian, after the premiere of each episode in the United States and United Kingdom. It was previously unprecedented for the Russian VOD market, that a foreign TV programme would appear on a web-source before a TV presentation.

Some Tvigle shows include:

• Misfits (BBC)
• The Walking Dead (FOX)
• Luther (BBC)
• Short course of happy life (Channel One)

References

1. «Кино переезжает в интернет», 7 июня 2010 (Russian)
2. WWE Corporate - WWE Unveils New Russian Language Website, 23.01.2012
3. Tvigle secures $8 million in investment, 09.09.2011
4. «Первопроходец российского рынка профессионального видео в интернете», 6 июня 2010г. (Russian)
5. «Samsung и Tvigle представляют приложение Tvigle для Smart TV», 27 сентября 2011 (Russian)
6. «Приложение Tvigle.ru в телевизорах Sony», 24 октября 2012 (Russian)
7. «В телевизорах Panasonic теперь можно бесплатно смотреть новые российские и зарубежные фильмы и мультфильмы, благодаря сервису Tvigle.ru», 11 августа 2011 (Russian)
8. «Обзор телевизоров Смарт ТВ», 11 апреля 2012 (Russian)
9. «Tvigle.ru стал доступен в iPhone и iPod Touch», 7 апреля 2010 (Russian)
10. Russian Online Video Service Tvigle Signs a Major Deal with BBC Worldwide, 3.07.2012
11. «Новый сезон «Отбросов» покажут на Tvigle.ru в режиме «catch-up», 29 октября (Russian)
12. FOX International Channels (FIC) and Tvigle bring “The Walking Dead” to Russian Internet. October 5, 2011