FEED: Could you run us through the processes and challenges behind launching a FAST channel?
BRIELLE URSSERY: The first thing that’s required is a tech partner. One of Roku’s tech partners was Amagi, as an example. Once you’ve got your tech partner, the next thing is aggregating content, which is truly the hardest part. A lot of the platforms launching FAST channels are not investing in enough content from the get-go. Content was the same problem we had when we launched FAST channels with BET. I really combed through our library to see what we had left over after scheduling our cable channels and SVOD platform; trying to see what remained and was still valuable enough for it. With Roku, there was a much larger library, but it came with the issue of content-owners arguing that this content is being used on their best channels – demanding to be paid extra – which was impossible when my budget was zero. Therefore, I had to lean on our existing library, finding out where we could tack on additional FAST rights, then working out the best way to curate this content so it’s attractive to an audience. It was a huge learning experience. You find out what type of content does and doesn’t work within the FAST space. As it turns out, this is very similar on linear and cable. For example, serialised dramas don’t repeat well in FAST or on broadcast and cable. I’ve always explained this and I’m not always believed. They see it as ‘we’ve bought the show anyway, so use it’; usually I’m back in three weeks to tell them what I’ve already said, which is ‘it won’t work’. “YOU FIND OUTWHAT CONTENT DOES AND DOESN’TWORK IN FAST”
ON THE GO Mansa’s mobile app allows you to stream its culture-positive content from anywhere
FEED: You are now heading up programming at streaming platform start-up, Mansa. What is Mansa?
BRIELLE URSSERY: Mansa was founded by two actors, David Oyelowo and Nate Parker. The beta version of the app is currently available to download and what the team have managed to achieve so far is extremely impressive. The app is beautiful. It has a ton of great features and content across a diverse range of formats – including FAST channels and virtual channels based on YouTube – curated for Black audiences in topics such as sports and dating.
We also have AVOD – which includes series and films, as well as short-form content. What’s also fantastic about Mansa is that our aim is to serve the Black audience globally; we are leaning on featuring content from around the world. We have films from Brazil, as well as Ghana, Senegal and many other places within the African continent. Mansa also comes with edgy Web3 features that I think will set our app apart from competitors.
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