Canada
Fandom Invests in Video Across Its Portfolio of Brands with New Original Content Slate
On the heels of its recent acquisition of leading gaming and entertainment brands including GameSpot, Metacritic and TV Guide, Fandom is investing in its new portfolio with a slate of original video content that superserves fans and unlocks new branded content opportunities for advertisers. Beginning in May with the launch of seven new shows, Fandom is delivering against consumer and advertiser demand with more short-form original video content across its brands, made “for gamers, by gamers” including destination programming and personality-hosted shows.
Both endemic and non-endemic advertisers can target and engage with fans, particularly gaming audiences, across their entire consumer journey including reference, news, reviews and ratings. This new slate of video content offers additional branded content opportunities for partners looking to authentically reach true gaming and entertainment fans at scale.
“Gaming is our largest and fastest growing audience, eclipsing 150 million monthly visitors, so we’re doubling down on our gaming content with this new original programming lineup,” says Michael Chiang, Chief Business Officer, Fandom. “The acquisition of these leading editorial brands created new avenues for us to serve fans and clients in even more immersive ways, and our fan-first, premium content allows us to authentically connect with our audiences and truly stand out in the digital media space.”
In May, Fandom will release five fan-focused original shows on GameSpot’s YouTube channel that explores every aspect of the world of video games including:
- The Kurt Locker: With his distinctive style and personality, GameSpot Senior Producer Kurt Indovina explores current trends in gaming, as well as their impact on gaming culture and gamers themselves through unique video essays that are approachable, cozy, and kinetic. The Kurt Locker premieres on May 2 with new episodes airing weekly on Tuesdays.
- No Hud: Premiering on May 3 and airing every Wednesday, GameSpot examines new ways to play video games that make them feel fresh and new.
- Experts React: This limited-run series calls on various experts – from sword masters and viking historians to tattoo artists – to break down and analyze the hottest gaming titles for an in-depth analysis of how close games come to reality. Experts React premieres on May 4 with new episodes airing Thursdays.
- Spot On: A weekly premium news show airing Fridays hosted by GameSpot’s Managing Editor Tamoor Hussain & Senior Producer Lucy James. Spot On premieres on May 5.
- How It Saved: Hosted by Dave Klein, GameSpot’s Senior Producer, How It Saved shows how specific games have pulled franchises back from the brink of failure, or reversed the fortunes of entire companies. The first episode premiering on May 7 will be “How Resident Evil 4 SAVED Resident Evil”. New episodes of this limited series will air Sundays.
- Metacritic Review Lab on Fandom Entertainment’s YouTube channel: With the massive data-set of Metacritic’s review aggregator, plus Fandom’s own in-house critics and data experts, the Metacritic Review Lab sorts through the noise of varied critical opinion and fan sentiment to bring you the clearest, fairest evaluation of new movie release’s quality that you can find online. Metacritic Review Lab premieres in May with 2-3 new episodes debuting each month. Upcoming episodes include reviews of Fast X, The Little Mermaid, Across the Spiderverse and Indiana Jones 5.
- Honest Trailers Presents on Screen Junkies’ YouTube channel: With over 1 million views each week, Fandom is giving its Emmy-nominated “Honest” series a fresh spin with new formats including celebrity biography, TV theme songs, and commercial advertising. Honest Trailer Presents premieres on May 2 with new episodes airing monthly on Tuesdays.
- GameSpot Insider: GameSpot Insider is a quarterly limited series that pulls back the curtain on some of the most beloved video game studios in the world. With unique access, we delve deep into the creation of some huge, eagerly anticipated titles. Each episode leverages the talents of GameSpot’s seasoned writers, interviewers, and editors to deliver a documentary-quality viewing experience that is informative, insightful, and entertaining. It will also be part of a wider content rollout that includes written articles.
- Challenge Accepted: GameSpot talent and content creators are tasked to come up with the most creative solutions to out-of-the-box gaming challenges in Challenge Accepted. From getting your entire team to rage quit, to beating Mario with a Guitar Hero controller, to coaching your mom through her first Call of Duty deathmatch, we’ll push GameSpot employees, influencers, and content creators to their absolute limit with challenges they’ve NEVER faced before.
Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app
Bally’s Interactive Launches the New Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino App in Ontario
Bally’s Interactive, the digital and sports betting division of Bally’s Corporation, has launched the all-new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app in Ontario, Canada. This latest release marks another significant milestone for the company, following the recent app update in New Jersey and a series of successful app launches in the past year, including the introduction of Bally Bet Sportsbook across multiple states and Bally Casino in Rhode Island.
The updated Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app represents a major step forward, as it combines the functionalities of the existing Bally Casino app and Bally Bet Sportsbook app into one comprehensive platform. Powered by White Hat Gaming, this new app allows players residing in or traveling to Ontario to conveniently place wagers on both sports and casino games using a single app, account, and universal wallet.
“We are thrilled to introduce the new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app, marking a significant milestone for Bally’s. This integrated platform merges the features of our previous apps, providing players in Ontario with a seamless experience for both sports and casino betting. Our commitment to enhancing the player experience remains at the forefront as we strive to personalize the enjoyment of playing Bally Bet,” said Robeson Reeves, CEO of Bally’s Corporation.
BCLC
Be #GiftSmart: Scratch the Idea of Gifting Scratch & Win Tickets to Kids
BCLC reminds adults to gift responsibly this holiday season
With the holiday season in full swing, BCLC is reminding British Columbians to gift responsibly and scratch lottery products from their shopping lists for kids.
“Scratch & Win tickets can make great stocking stuffers for the adults in your life, but they’re not for kids,” said Ryan McCarthy, BCLC’s Director of Player Health. “The research shows that children who have early encounters with gambling are four times more likely to develop riskier gambling behaviour as they grow up. While people are out shopping for those last-minute gifts, BCLC wants adults to be aware of the potential risks associated with gifting lottery products to children and to consider safer alternatives.”
While Scratch & Win tickets are among the most common ways kids can be introduced to gambling, children are increasingly exposed to various online forms, such as gambling streams.
“With the convergence of gaming and gambling, youth are becoming more exposed to gambling content in online spaces like streaming sites, where creators are able to live-stream their own gambling, usually while playing online slots and instant games,” said Dr. Luke Clark, Director for Gambling Research at UBC. “Our research at the UBC Centre for Gambling shows that a higher frequency of watching online gambling streams is associated with a more positive attitude towards gambling and a high intention to gamble in the future.”
In B.C., it is illegal to sell lottery products to anyone under the age of 19 and BCLC encourages adults to have conversations with the kids in their lives about the risks associated with gambling.
“Open and honest conversations are crucial when it comes to navigating childhood exposure to gambling,” said McCarthy, who shared the following tips to adults:
- Monitor for gambling-related lifestyle changes. For example, developing a positive attitude towards gambling or a preoccupation with video games or streaming sites.
- Be a positive role model. Exhibit safer gambling behaviour and talk about the risks.
- Limit exposure. Monitor kids’ online activities and discourage engagement with gambling content. Explain how gambling is based on chance.
AGCO
Jackpot Digital Receives Approval from AGCO as a Registered Gaming Supplier
Jackpot Digital Inc., a leading provider of innovative dealerless electronic poker gaming solutions, has announced that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has approved the Company to be licensed as a registered Gaming Related-Supplier (the “Supplier License”) under the Gaming Control Act in the Province of Ontario.
This significant achievement allows Jackpot Digital to enter one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing regulated gaming markets in North America. The Supplier License authorizes Jackpot Digital to supply its electronic table games to Ontario’s gaming venues, including casinos and other regulated gaming facilities.
Jackpot Digital’s flagship product, the Jackpot Blitz electronic table game system, offers a modern, dealerless, player-friendly solution that integrates traditional multiplayer poker games with cutting-edge digital technology. The Supplier License will enable the Company to offer its innovative gaming solutions to operators throughout Ontario, driving new revenue opportunities and enhancing player experiences.
“Receiving AGCO’s approval is a major milestone. This approval provides us with the opportunity to offer our top-tier electronic gaming systems to operators throughout all of Ontario, positioning us for further growth in one of the world’s most robust gaming markets. We are excited to bring our innovative products to Ontario’s gaming community and continue our commitment to providing exciting, technology-driven entertainment experiences,” said Jake Kalpakian, CEO of Jackpot Digital.
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