Pantaya was an American OTT streaming service targeted for Hispanic and Spanish-language viewers.[2] Content included programs and films released in Latin America and original programming, as well as Spanish dubs from Lionsgate's select catalogue.[3][4]

Pantaya
Screenshot
Type of site
OTT video streaming platform
HeadquartersLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Country of originUnited States
Area servedUnited States, Puerto Rico
Key peoplePaul Presburger (CEO)[1]
ParentTelevisaUnivision
RegistrationRequired
UsersIncrease 0.9 million (as of April 1, 2021)
LaunchedAugust 1, 2017; 7 years ago (August 1, 2017)
Current statusMerged with ViX

The streaming service was available in the United States and Puerto Rico, and content can be accessed globally through other streaming services such as Amazon's Prime Video.[1][2][3]

After the acquisition of Pantaya by TelevisaUnivision in May, 7 months later in December, Pantaya ceased its services, and notified users about the switch to ViX.

History

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Pantaya was launched in August 2017 in a joint venture between Lionsgate and Hemisphere Media Group.[3] Paul Presburger was appointed as CEO of the streaming service, who is also CEO of Pantelion Films.[1] Lionsgate has owned 75% of the streaming platform while Hemisphere owned 25% at the time.[2] In 2019, the platform has reached 500,000 subscribers.[1] In that same year, Pantaya has expanded into producing original programming, starting with El juego de las llaves which debuted in August of that year.[5][1]

In 2021, Hemisphere Media Group has acquired full ownership rights to the Pantaya streaming service from Lionsgate for $124 million, following the latter's decision to focus on the expansion of its Starz brand.[2] Lionsgate's CEO Brian Goldsmith has stated that the studio was "very proud to have helped build Pantaya into the leading premium Spanish-language platform in the U.S.," and added that Hemisphere Media Group was "the right owner".[2] Additionally, Hemisphere CEO Alan Sokol said that the company is aiming for expansion. "There's so much more we can do, and the opportunity is so much greater," Sokol said. "We've set a stated goal of 2.5 to 3 million subscribers by 2025. But honestly we feel that's a conservative goal and that the opportunity is two to three times that."[6] As of April 2021, there are 900,000 subscribers to Pantaya.[2]

More recently, she had signed a deal with actress Fernanda Castillo, whereas the actress would star in Pantaya's upcoming projects.[7]

In May 2022, TelevisaUnivision reached a deal with Hemisphere Media Group to acquire Pantaya, targeting the platform in order to fortify their own ViX streaming service.[8][9] The acquisition was completed on September 13 of that year.[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Marie de la Fuente, Anna (9 October 2019). "U.S. Latinx Streaming Platform Pantaya Reels in More Subs, Ramps Up Original Programming (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Vlessing, Etan (6 April 2021). "Spanish-Language Service Pantaya Starts New Chapter After Lionsgate Sale". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Tiffany, Kaitlyn (1 August 2017). "Lionsgate's Spanish-language streaming service Pantaya launches today". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
  4. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions About Pantaya".
  5. ^ Villafañe, Veronica (16 August 2019). "PANTAYA Launches First Original Scripted Series 'El Juego De Las Llaves'". Forbes. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  6. ^ Faughnder, Ryan (13 June 2021). "The Spanish-language streaming wars escalate as Hollywood moves past lip service". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  7. ^ Cordero, Rosy (2021-12-16). "Pantaya Signs Overall Deal With Mexican Actress Fernanda Castillo". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  8. ^ Spangler, Todd (9 May 2022). "TelevisaUnivision to Buy Streaming Service Pantaya to Bulk Up ViX+". Variety.
  9. ^ Ago, 7 Hours (2022-05-10). "TelevisaUnivision bolsters streaming business with Pantaya acquisition". Digital TV Europe. Retrieved 2022-05-10.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ "TelevisaUnivision Completes Acquisition of Streaming Service Pantaya". TelevisaUnivision. 2022-09-13.
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