Fandango Expands Free Streaming Push, Unifies Consumer Offerings Under Core Brand

Fandango is expanding its AVOD (advertising-supported video on demand) streaming business and moving its consumer entertainment services under a single brand as the company looks to streamline how audiences discover, watch and buy movies and television. The reorganization now brings together the brand’s free streaming, movie ticketing and premium digital rental/purchase options within a single ecosystem.

The company said its free streaming platform, previously known as Fandango at Home, will operate under the Fandango banner with the new tagline “We Love Free.” Fandango’s streaming platform now supports guest viewing, allowing users to watch free titles without creating an account or logging in, and adds a streamlined “Watch Now” feature for one-click playback across web, mobile and connected TV platforms.

The relaunch comes with an expanded AVOD library spanning hit films, franchise titles, TV series and sports programming. Fandango said the offering includes more than 3,500 hours from the Versant content library as well as live Bundesliga coverage, via USA Sports’ long-term U.S. media rights deal for exclusive English-language coverage of Germany’s top domestic soccer league.

Fandango said its AVOD streaming business has posted significant gains, with monthly active users up more than 300% year over year and viewing hours rising more than 200%. Its video-on-demand business generated more than 30 million rental and purchase transactions over the past 12 months. The company said the premium VOD service now offers more than 300,000 new-release and catalog titles, including one of the industry’s largest 4K UHD libraries.