SXSW has partnered with hardware streaming aggregator, Roku to create the new network SXSW On. The network will stream this years' conference schedule for free via Roku players in the United States, Canada, UK and Ireland, plus Roku TV in the U.S.
SXSW will have a wide variety of different programs shown over the course of the week-long festival. There will be "dynamic" original programming in addition to archival performances from past years, interviews with key players and talks from the music, film and interactive conference according to a statement.
The new partnership will give SXSW access to millions of people across various platforms like YouTube, the network's custom-designed Roku channel and sxsw.com.
"Roku is one of the leading streaming platforms and we're incredibly excited to bring SXSW into living rooms of Roku customers around the world," said SXSW Director of Technology Scott Wilcox. "Having a dedicated network of original programming through the lens of SXSW is a leap forward for our organization and promises a bright future as a provider in the media landscape."
With the many different platforms, Roku will have a good chance of reaching a large quantity of viewers. It just reached 10 million units sold last year in the U.S. alone and according to Roku's VP of Content, Ed Lee, who sites an NPD Group study that showed users streamed more hours of video from Roku devices that from all others, "We see usage that is just second to none" via Billboard.
The SXSW On channel provides Roku customers with a unique entertainment experience they can't find on any other streaming platform," said Lee "For the first time, people from around the world will be able to view the excitement and entertainment of SXSW live without buying a plane ticket to Austin. We're thrilled to be the first streaming platform to deliver SXSW On content to our customers and know that they'll love watching the amazing live performances from the comfort of home."
In addition to the SXSW Live component of SXSW On, which provides live look-ins at performances, interviews and panel sessions, there will be other programming to take you behind the scenes. One is titled The Road, which looks at the adventures and challenges of living on the road for musicians -- poignant for SXSW, since many artists play for free in during the festival. Another original piece of programming is The Nom Nom, which takes artists around to their favorite spots to eat and sits down with chefs to discuss food.
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