The YC-incubated streaming service, AfroStream has raised an undisclosed amount of funding from VC funds; TheFamily, Cross Culture Ventures ILP, ACE & Company and Orange’s Digital Venture, the impact investing arm of French telco, Orange.
AfroStream is a subscription video on demand service (SVOD) for African, African-American and African-Caribbean films and television series, and Orange says the funding “will enable Afrostream to accelerate the development of its original and innovative service in Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and South America.”
“With this strategic investment by Orange, Afrostream now brings together the best of the mobile internet and the best of African content. This new alliance will enable us to revolutionize the entertainment industry and to reach all audiences,” Tonjé Bakang, CEO of Afrostream says.
AfroStream came on our radar a few months ago when it launched out of Y Combinator. At the time, TechCrunch called the website the “Netflix for Africa”.
In an emailed press release, Orange which has footprint in more than 24 countries, says it will also make its expertise in networks, distribution and payment available to AfroStream as the startup scales up it activities. The telco is already planning on launching AfroStream on its digital TV entertainment box, Orange TV that will be available next year.
Aside the inclusion on its cable TV service, it’s possible the partnership will also be deployed to enhance Orange’s video streaming offering it plans to launch in South Africa. Few months back, Orange announced the service – to be named Orange VOD – and at the time said it was going to announce “existing players” it would partner with to launch the VOD service.
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