[June 08, 2016]

BroadbandTV's Shahrzad Rafati Named Person of the Year by the BCTIA

Last night at the 2016 Technology Impact Awards, Shahrzad Rafati, Founder & CEO of BroadbandTV (BBTV), the world's largest Multi-platform Network, was named Person of the Year for her significant contributions to BC's technology industry. The awards, hosted by the British Columbia Technology Industry Association (BCTIA), celebrates the successes of BC's tech companies, and the people and innovation that are part of its eco-system.

"The tech industry has been a key driver of BC's economy over the past decade, having grown at twice the rate of the province overall*," said Shahrzad Rafati, Founder & CEO, BroadbandTV. "I'm proud that BroadbandTV is part of the group of innovative companies that is putting BC and Canada on the map as a leading technology hub."

The longest running and largest technology awards program in the province, the Technology Impact Awards recognizes excellence with Technology, People, and Company awards.

"As this year's recipient of Person of the Year, Shahrzad Rafati joins a list of notable individuals that have been recognized for their significant impact on BC's tech industry," commented Bill Tam, President & CEO, BCTIA. "I admire Shahrzad's energy and drive, and applaud her and BroadbandTV for their phenomenal success."

The award is the latest in a long line of milestones and corporate successes achieved by Rafati and BBTV. Today, the business is the third largest video property worldwide following only Google and Facebook (News - Alert). When compared to the top two, BBTV's unique video viewership is 53% the size of Facebook, and a third (31%) of Google's, showing that one out of every three people that consumes video content across Google (News - Alert) sites, including YouTube, is watching BBTV content. Earlier this year, BBTV unveiled its new visual identity at its new custom-designed global headquarters, located in Vancouver's Coal Harbour district spanning 30,000 square feet.

"BroadbandTV has been growing significantly year over year, we're the largest Multi-platform Network globally and we're continuing to develop at an accelerated rate, this year we've experienced 16% worldwide viewership growth, month over month," continued Rafati. "I have the best team that inspires me every day and I could not be more appreciative and thankful of their efforts. We have a huge future ahead of us, with plans to expand into new markets, verticals, platforms and unveil major strategic partnrships. In many ways, I feel as though we are just getting started."

BBTV currently reaches 16 billion monthly impressions across its network of 76,000 content creators spanning a number of key media brands and verticals including: TGN, the largest and most engaged gaming network on YouTube (News - Alert); Opposition, the largest hip-hop music network; number one Electronic Dance Music (EDM) network, WIMSIC; leading kids & family network, HooplaKidz and Outspeak, the next-generation citizen journalism brand in partnership with The Huffington Post (News - Alert). The business recently unveiled Windfall, a joint venture to find, develop and service music artists across all platforms, in partnership with BMG, and NBA Playmakers, a strategic partnership with the NBA to find, discover and develop creators focused on basketball culture.

For more information, please visit bbtv.com or bctia.org

*According to a Government report on British Columbia's High Technology Sector

About BroadbandTV

BroadbandTV is an innovative media and technology company that drives success for online video creators by leveraging its premium media brands, proprietary technology, and massive online reach. BroadbandTV operates the world's largest Multi-Platform Network with 76,000 network partners amassing 16 billion views per month. Its content creators span a number of key media brands including: TGN, the largest and most engaged gaming network on YouTube; Opposition, the largest hip-hop music network; number one Electronic Dance Music (EDM) network, WIMSIC; leading kids & family network, HooplaKidz and Outspeak, the next-generation citizen journalism brand in partnership with The Huffington Post. The business recently unveiled Windfall, a joint venture to find, develop and service music artists across all platforms, in partnership with BMG, and NBA Playmakers, a strategic partnership with the NBA to find, discover and develop creators focused on basketball culture. BroadbandTV has developed some of the most advanced and innovative technologies in the online video space: VISO NOVI, for detecting and managing fan uploaded content and VISO Catalyst for enhancing viewership and engagement for premium videos. In June 2013, the leading European entertainment network RTL Group (News - Alert) acquired a majority stake in BroadbandTV. Both companies also formed an ongoing strategic partnership to accelerate the global growth strategy of BroadbandTV. RTL Group's initial investment of US-$36 million is part of a planned series of investments in the company. www.bbtv.com

About BCTIA

The BC Technology Industry Association (BCTIA) is guided by our vision to make BC the best place to grow a tech company. For more than 20 years, the BCTIA has helped to grow our province's tech cluster to over 9,000 companies that employ nearly 90,000 people, and that now outpaces the resource industry in terms of economic contribution to the province. Our mission is to help tech companies grow, and it is supported by our core values: Be of Service, Succeed Together, and Pay it Forward. www.bctia.org

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160608005268/en/

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