Circa going international with OWNZONES OTT partnership

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Circa, the fast-growing mobile-friendly, video-driven news and entertainment brand for millennial consumers, announced today a partnership with OWNZONES Media Network (OMN), the upstart global over-the-top (OTT) technology, distribution and content provider, to expand its programming internationally with a series of subscription and ad-supported video-on-demand (VOD) channels. The first channels are expected to be available in Europe in Spring 2017.

The Circa channels will air original short- and long-form content ranging from breaking news, documentaries, lifestyle, and humor.

The partnership opens the door for Circa content to extend its reach to millennials through mobile, desktop devices and big-screen televisions. Executives from the two companies said Circa's reach, through OWNZONES may increase to potentially tens of millions of homes in Europe and the United States by the end of the year.

"We are thrilled to be partnered with the innovative team at OWNZONES Media Network to build a global OTT footprint for our content," said John Solomon, Circa's Chief Operating Officer. "The company's seamless technology and impressive list of distribution partners were a perfect fit for Circa in gaining massive reach while ensuring pristine video quality for our viewing audience."

"The global demand for premium, original OTT content continues to grow, particularly among the millennial audience," OMN founder and CEO Dan Goman said. "We are pleased to have been selected by Circa to power its OTT distribution strategy, enabling the company to immediately reach an audience of hundreds of millions of consumers, through a variety of OTT devices, across more than a dozen of the top OTT platforms.

"Circa's millennial mix of news, lifestyle, and comedy dovetails exactly with our own strategy of offering compelling original content from celebrity influencers to worldwide OTT consumers."

OMN is one of the fastest growing single source OTT providers in the world, offering turnkey subscription video on demand (SVO) and ad-based video on demand (AVOD) services for the global motion picture, television and digital content industries. It recently announced an agreement to become a preferred provider of applications for Metrological's Application Platform, which reaches over 40 million households worldwide via set-top boxes and other operator devices. Metrological cable and telecommunications partners include Comcast, KPN, Liberty Global, Tele Columbus and Ooredoo.

Circa debuted in July 2016 and its video centric content has reached 1.6 billion on digital and social platforms, and generated more than 520 million video streams¹.

About Circa 
Circa is a fast-growing mobile-friendly, video-driven news and entertainment portal designed for the new generation – delivering engaging and shareable content in cutting-edge formats across multiple platforms to an audience who prefers to customize their experience. Content is authentic and impactful and includes witty storytelling, in-depth interviews, exclusive stories, laugh out loud humor and short videos plus 360 virtual reality footage. Backed by Sinclair Broadcast Group, one of the largest TV operators in the U.S., Circa extends to a TV audience through Sinclair's' 505 channels in 81 markets, reaching 44.3 million homes. To learn more, visit Circa.com and follow Circa on Facebook and Twitter.

About OWNZONES Media Network
OWNZONES Media Network (OMN) is a global provider of technology and media solutions for the motion picture, television and digital content creation industries. The company's proprietary technology platform and integrated marketing and programming services offer content owners a single-source, end-to-end solution for delivering world class viewing experiences across all OTT platforms including web, mobile apps and connected devices. It also produces its own original programming targeting millennials. Headquartered in Los Angeles with offices in Arizona and Romania, OMN network platform and clients include Comcast, Magnolia Pictures, British Pathe, Scripps, Amazon, T-Mobile Binge On, SonyVue, Roku, CenturyLink, Ubiquity, Vudu, LeEco, adRise and Apple TV among others.

OMN offers direct-to-consumer streaming video in the form of OWNZONES.com, a channel-customizable VOD platform. For more information please visit www.ownzonesmedia.com.

About Sinclair (Nasdaq: SBGI)
Sinclair is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country. The Company owns, operates and/or provides services to 173 television stations in 81 markets, broadcasting 505 channels and having affiliations with all the major networks. Sinclair is the leading local news provider in the country, as well as a producer of live sports content. Sinclair's content is delivered via multiple-platforms, including over-the-air, multi-channel video program distributors, and digital platforms. The Company regularly uses its web site as a key source of Company information, which can be accessed at www.sbgi.net.

¹ Sources: Google Analytics (December 24, 2016 – February 14, 2017); Facebook Insights for Circa, Circa Laughs and Circa Pop Culture (July 2016 – February 14, 2017)

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SOURCE Circa

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