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A few weeks ago, Total Media Networks, best known for its OTT platform Totalmovie in Latin America, and OTT Networks, a Brazilian software and content management company, merged to create a brand-new company named UUX.
The company provides network operators an Internet TV-as-a-service platform.
"If you put Cisco [Systems] and Accenture [Plc] together, then you get UUX," Lou Schwartz, CEO of UUX, told SNL Kagan.
Totalmovie started as an OTT retail service in Latin America, mainly to compete with Netflix Inc., although in addition to on-demand content it also offered 14 linear channels and catch-up TV.
"The platform was very unique over the top," said Schwartz, who is the former CEO of the Americas for Kit Digital Inc., now called Piksel Inc.
But due to billing issues in Latin America, the company decided to target carriers, rather than to continue to appeal directly to individual customers.
"Not many people in Latin America have a credit card. Netflix is experiencing the same billing issues there," said Schwartz. "UUX targets mobile carriers that are looking to launch pay TV services over their wireless networks."
With the launch of UUX, Totalmovie will wind down its operations as a customer-facing service, with the company aiming entirely to sign contracts with mobile and fixed-line operators to power their branded video offerings.
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