Kakao to integrate video service platforms

By Yoon Sung-won

Kakao is strengthening its video content business by integrating its video-on-demand (VOD) service and personal media production platforms early next year, according to the company Thursday.

The provider of the nation’s most-used mobile messenger service Kakao Talk said it will merge its two video service platforms ― Daum tvPot and Kakao TV ― in February, unifying them into “Kakao TV.” The company expects this to help video content creators better commercialize their products through the new platform, which will be connected to the distribution channels on Kakao Talk.

“The new Kakao TV will be a video platform with strong competitiveness not only in playback but also in production, distribution, management and commercialization of video contents,” Kakao’s video platform team director Bae Dong-ho said in a statement.

The move came as a part of the company’s long-term drive to integrate separated services of Kakao and Daum. Before now, Daum tvPot service has been provided through dedicated player software named “Daum Pot Player” whereas Kakao TV had its own application. Daum tvPot has provided VOD contents in diverse genres such as entertainment, drama and sports as well as live channels like news and personal broadcasting. Kakao TV has been more optimized for mobile devices and allows users to watch video while communicating through Kakao Talk.

By integrating the two platforms, the company seeks to strengthen its presence in the rapidly growing personal video and media market here.

Kakao stressed that video content creators will be able to provide live broadcasting and VOD contents more easily. One of the new features of the integrated platform, dubbed “Video Station,” will include uploading, distributing and managing features of such contents. Another feature, “Biz Station,” will help content creators manage their profit making as it provides content distribution settings such as advertisement options and viewer sponsorship reception, according to the company.

Video content providers can also promote their services by encouraging their viewers to add them to the friend list on Kakao Talk.

“Content producers can distribute their videos through Kakao Talk’s channels and directly communicate with their viewers through the instant messenger,” Kakao said.