Pluto gains higher orbit with curated indies channel
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Joseph O'Halloran
| 12 February 2019

Just as it ramps up its offering in the country and attempting to set the stage for creative ideas, Pluto TV has expanded its film offering in the UK with curated indies channel.

The content provider believes that for many independent productions and arthouse films the question is: where to go next. It said that as VOD-platforms focus marketing efforts on self-produced content and blockbuster hits, the wider industry is hard-pressed to find fitting environments for creative ideas. By launching Pluto TV Indies, the service is adamant that it is determined to create this home.

The linear format and advertising-based, subscription-free Pluto TV Indies is said to be an environment perfect for independent films, arthouse award-winners, ‘film festival darlings’, world cinema, and theatrical documentaries. It is designed to allow viewers to discover new favourites they otherwise would miss.

The initial offer includes award winners such as 2014 Berlinale Competition Selection Two Men in Town, directed by Rachid Bouchareb, starring Forest Whitaker and Harvey Keitel as well as 2007 Berlinale Panorama Selection Fay Grim, directed by Hal Hartley, starring Parker Posey and Jeff Goldblum.

“We are thrilled to partner with Pluto TV in the UK. The linear and thematic channels are an exciting new film consumption model and we ...across all genres of our output, see Pluto TV as a key partner going forward,” said Jon Bourdillon, chief operating officer of independent UK film distributor and producer Signature Entertainment. “The prospect of putting a more diverse line-up of films into the spotlight of prime time is a chance for creative works with lesser marketing budgets to reach out to a broader audience. Rachid Bouchareb’s work Two Men in Town is a great example for that. A wonderful and award-winning film, that is now finding a new place to shine and touch audiences.”

“At Pluto TV we are devoted to developing the right environment for quality content. Independent films create worlds filled with boundless energy, provocative exploration, and unencumbered narratives, but often their reach to a wider audience is limited, while film enthusiasts struggle to find offerings customised to their preferences,” added Olivier Jollet, managing director Europe at Pluto TV. “With our curated channels we are opening unknown doors to clear-cut niches. The linear model allows viewers to switch on a channel apt to their mood. This gives content creators an opportunity to showcase their work, as viewers decide by interest rather than names. We are working hard on creating additional offerings and environments for cineastes, with an additional channel committed to world cinema planned for Q2 of this year.”

Looking further, Pluto TV plans to launch Pluto TV World Cinema in Q2 of 2019, a new home for world cinema and non-English-language speaking productions and will cater to special interest viewers with thematic film channels such as Pluto TV Romantic and branded channels such as The Asylum.