VIZIO Unveils Reimagined User Experience and Branding for WatchFree+

Rhea-AI Summary

VIZIO has launched a redesigned user experience for its free streaming service, WatchFree+, enhancing accessibility for millions of users on VIZIO Smart TVs. The update features an intuitive Electronic Program Guide, improved navigation, and personalization options. The service now hosts over 260 channels and 6,000 titles covering diverse genres. Key enhancements include easy access to on-demand content and the ability to watch while browsing. VIZIO aims to continue growth in streaming by leveraging user data for program selection.

Positive

• Launch of redesigned WatchFree+ service enhancing user experience.
• Increased library with over 260 and 6,000 on-demand titles.
• Improved navigation and personalization features for users.
• Becoming the second-most-watched free streaming app on VIZIO.
• Utilization of Inscape data for better content discovery.

Negative

• None.

New Entertainment Programming Guide Experience – Free to Millions of VIZIO Users

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- VIZIO (NYSE: VZIO) has unveiled an upgraded design and user experience for WatchFree+, VIZIO’s free streaming service that comes built into millions of VIZIO Smart TVs. This latest update brings a new look and feel, intuitive Electronic Program Guide (EPG), faster and easier navigation, and personalization features to the free streaming service. WatchFree+ has grown to include more than 260 free channels and 6,000 titles on demand, offering an ever-expanding library of movies, TV shows, news, sports, music, and programs.

VIZIO Unveils Reimagined User Experience and Branding for WatchFree+ (Photo: Business Wire)

The redesigned WatchFree+ reflects VIZIO’s commitment to its users, with features centered around an enhanced user experience and access to fan-favorite programming. The WatchFree+ Guide now displays up-coming content segmented in 30-minute intervals, allowing viewers to explore the vast collection of WatchFree+ content in a familiar format. In addition to the improved user experience, the WatchFree+ interface allows advertisers to promote contextually relevant content seamlessly within the WatchFree+ Guide.

Notable updates to the WatchFree+ user experience:

• Electronic Program Guide: See a schedule of all WatchFree+ programs in a simple grid format, segmented in half-hour intervals.
• In-Line Content Descriptions: View movie and show descriptions as you move through the WatchFree+ Guide.
• Picture-in-Picture: Continue to watch a show while browsing additional WatchFree+ channels.
• Jump to a Category: Long press the “OK” button while in the EPG guide to get a list of channel genres, making navigation easier.
• Easy Access to On Demand Titles: Quickly and easily launch an on-demand movie or show directly from the program guide.

“We are proud of the growth we have seen across our free streaming service,” said Steve Yum, Vice President of Software Product Management at VIZIO. “This redesign makes it easier than ever to navigate and explore the continually expanding universe of entertainment on WatchFree+ across live and on demand programming.”

Viewer-Informed Programming Highlights

Since launching the service, it has grown to become the second-most-watched free ad-supported streaming app on VIZIO. Driving this momentum are more than 260 premium channels and 6,000 movies and shows spanning 13 content genres, from news, movies and sports to kids and family, music and reality.

VIZIO’s rich, glass-level Inscape data fuels channel discovery, providing insights into user-favorite TV shows and movies. That data also powers the selection and programming of VIZIO Features channels including food and travel, true crime, sci-fi, horror, American classics, action, special holiday pop-up channels and more.

VIZIO Exclusives

• VIZIO recently announced the launch of exclusive TV series premieres including Boston George: Famous Without the Fortune (Cinedigm), Sanitarium (producer Bryan Ramirez and creator Kerry Valderrama), Haunted Gold Rush (Blue Ant Media) and the Space Science Now channel (MagellanTV).

On Demand Expansion

• With more than 6,000 movie and TV show titles to choose from, On Demand content can now be launched directly from the program guide including recently added titles COPs (Langley Productions), Canada’s Drag Race and Hotel Paranormal (Blue Ant Media).

Single Series Channels

• A top performing format on WatchFree+, single series channels provide a unique viewing experience not available on traditional broadcast TV and gives viewers 24/7 free access to favorites like Ice Road Truckers (A+E), America’s Test Kitchen (PBS), Hell’s Kitchen l Kitchen Nightmares (FilmRise) and new to WatchFree+, the British fantasy-adventure drama, Merlin (Fremantle).

FAST Growing Genre Expansion

• As one of the most popular genres on WatchFree+, VIZIO has expanded crime programming with the addition of the JAIL pop-up channel from Langley Productions, the team behind the long-running reality series COPs.

Primetime Favorites

• Viewers can also enjoy fan-favorite shows on the recently added ION channel which features popular shows such as NCIS, Law & Order: SVU, Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Blue Bloods.

The latest WatchFree+ programming is now available on all VIZIO TVs. For more information about WatchFree+, visit www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus.

About VIZIO

Founded and headquartered in Orange County, California, our mission at VIZIO Holding Corp. (NYSE: VZIO) is to deliver immersive entertainment and compelling lifestyle enhancements that make our products the center of the connected home. We are driving the future of televisions through our integrated platform of cutting-edge Smart TVs and powerful operating system. We also offer a portfolio of innovative sound bars that deliver consumers an elevated audio experience. Our platform gives content providers more ways to distribute their content and advertisers more tools to connect with the right audience.

For more information, visit VIZIO.com and follow VIZIO on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221111005169/en/

Press Contact for VIZIO:

Melissa Hourigan

Fabric Media

720-608-1919

melissa@fabricmedia.net

Source: VIZIO Holding Corp.

FAQ

What is the new feature of VZIO's WatchFree+ announced in the press release?

VIZIO announced an upgraded design and user experience for WatchFree+, including an intuitive Electronic Program Guide and improved navigation.

How many channels does VZIO's WatchFree+ offer?

WatchFree+ now offers over 260 channels.

What are the benefits of the new WatchFree+ design for VZIO users?

The new design allows easier navigation, access to on-demand titles, and better program discovery.

When was the new WatchFree+ design launched by VZIO?

The updated WatchFree+ design was launched as announced in the recent press release.

How many titles are available on VZIO's WatchFree+?

There are over 6,000 titles available on WatchFree+.