Samsung is reportedly looking into creating its own subscription video service. After scrapping its Media Hub, which sells big name movies and TV shows similar to what is offered on Google's Play store, Samsung may be looking at another angle for mobile video as the company is reported to have invested tens of millions of dollars into what is called Volt. Rather than offering studio titles, Samsung's subscription video efforts would be geared towards short-form content. The project falls under new EVP of media solutions John Pleasants, a veteran from Disney's mobile and gaming business.
According to a report on The Information, Samsung may include music as part of this service:
While the initial business model for the service, which could also include music, isn't clear, over time the company is looking to create media services for which it could charge a few dollars a month, said one of the people briefed. Samsung isn't alone among mobile companies moving into original video. Mobile apps, particularly messaging services, have been making similar investments in video around the globe as have heavyweights like SoftBank. Last week, Chinese mobile phone maker Xiaomi said it would commit $1 billion towards online video content for connected televisions. It's a big sum given Google has invested less than half that for original content for YouTube.
Original content could help Samsung drive more hardware sales. Though Samsung may be investing into original content for mobile video, a source to The Information to not expect something akin to Netflix's 'House of Cards.'
"No 'House of Cards,'" one person familiar with the effort said.
Source: The Information
