Vevo is entering the lean-back watching space, partnering with Pluto TV to bring 10 free, ad-supported channels to the platform. The first channel, Vevo Pop, launches on Nov. 12, with additional channels, including a holiday-themed station expected to launch in the upcoming weeks.
“Pluto TV is an exciting partner for Vevo, enabling us to offer a linear-programmed lean-back music video experience to our audiences,” Vevo president of sales and distribution Kevin McGurn told Variety. “Bringing music videos into the home alongside other linear and on-demand programming ensures that music videos are available to audiences on devices and platforms that are already integrated with their day-to-day lives.”
Vevo previously launched a similar offering, Vevo TV, back in 2013, and even experimented with on-air VJs. At the time, the company even entertained the idea to license Vevo TV to cable operators in order to compete head-to-head with MTV. However, Vevo shutdown Vevo TV in 2016 and began looking into launching more personalized online services.
Now, Vevo is more focused on maximizing licensing revenue from third-party platforms. Though most of the revenue continues to come from YouTube, Vevo has also inked distribution deals with Amazon for its Fire TV devices, Roku, Apple and now Pluto TV.