New OTT Service Targets Comic Con Community

LOS ANGELES: Cinedigm and Wizard World are launching a new multiplatform OTT service geared toward the Comic Con community, CONtv, which has a March 3 premiere date.

CONtv will deliver fans a range of films, TV series, comics and behind-the-scenes access to Wizard World Comic Cons. The digital service will be offered as a free ad-supported platform, as well as a subscription of $6.99 per month with content exclusives, audience rewards, social viewing experiences and ticket bundle opportunities for fans planning to attend Wizard World conventions. The plan is to roll out some 1,600 hours of programming across a range of devices, including Roku, Apple iOS, Android, Xbox and more.

At launch, offerings will include superhero action content such as He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and Voltron; cult classics such as Godzilla and Elvira: Mistress of the Dark; horror movies, including Evil Dead, Re-Animator and Hellraiser; and martial arts content such as Fists of Fury and Shaolin. There are also gaming opportunities, with Sonic the Hedgehog, Super Mario Bros. and Legend of Zelda. Further content categories include sci-fi/fantasy television, with Being Human and Highlander, among others, as well as anime such as Beyblade, Saint Seiya and Digimon.

Additionally, CONtv is planning to debut original series. The roster includes Fight of the Living Dead, which follows digital celebrities as they fight to survive the undead; the game show Last Fan Standing, hosted by The Evil Dead's Bruce Campbell; and the reality show My Morphing Life, which follows actor and Wizard World regular Jason David Frank, who was the original Green Power Ranger.

“CONtv is designed to be the epic destination for every fan, every day,” said John Macaluso, the CEO of Wizard World. “Created by fans, for fans, and constantly improving based on fan feedback, the channel will not only serve as an extension of our hugely popular live events, but will be a place where fans can discover, inform, revisit and help make the best in pop culture.”

“The combination of Cinedigm’s vast library of content with Wizard World’s track of success as the largest operator of Comic Con’s in the world is a partnership built for success,” added Chris McGurk, the chairman and CEO of Cinedigm. “We are excited to make the Comic Con experience available to its fans anywhere, and at any time on their favorite viewing platform.”