Latest news with #Zoneify
The Verge
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Verge
Is streaming about to have a Wordle moment?
It's game time for streaming services: a growing number of streamers are betting on casual games as a way to keep viewers hooked when they've run out of things to watch. Toronto-based Zone-ify added free casual games to its ad-supported streaming service in June. Last month, close to 70 casual games arrived on Happykids and Fawesome, two ad-supported streaming services run by streaming startup Future Today. And later this year, Netflix is expected to expand its own gaming efforts with what company executives have called party games — casual titles that could turn movie night into game night. It's not the first time that companies have tried to blur the lines between gaming and leanback entertainment. But while prior efforts were largely focused on turning streaming devices into would-be game consoles, this new push focuses much more on casual gaming. Think Connect 4, not Counterstrike. Casual games have been a huge hit on mobile, where breakout hits like Candy Crush and Wordle, the uber-popular word game the New York Times acquired in 2022, have turned hundreds of millions of people who would never describe themselves as gamers into habitual players. Can the same happen in the living room? And what does it take for streaming services to have their Worlde moment and launch a title that gets tens of millions of people to play every day? For this week's edition of Lowpass, I chatted with Zone-ify's chief content officer John Orlando and Volley CEO Max Child to find out. I also spent a little too much time playing casual games on my TV … When I first heard about streamers adding casual games, I thought: here we go again. Over the years, there have been many attempts to turn streaming into more than just passive entertainment. Roku, for instance, struck a partnership in 2011 to bring Angry Birds to its platform. At the time, Roku even released a limited-edition Angry Birds-themed streaming device. Amazon released its first Fire TV device with an optional game controller in 2014. And when Nvidia entered the streaming device market with the Nvidia Shield in 2015, it initially didn't even include a remote control in the box, with the company betting that the device would appeal to gamers first and foremost. None of those efforts succeeded, for obvious reasons: hardcore gamers want powerful hardware and AAA titles, something that streaming devices simply couldn't offer. And people who buy a Roku do so primarily to watch TV, not to play mobile games in their living room. Netflix's first attempt to expand beyond leanback viewing with interactive titles like Black Mirror: Bandersnatch failed, as well, in part because the titles lacked the stickiness and replayability of video games. 'As a novelty, it's incredibly fun to do those interactive things,' Orlando tells me. 'But it's not something that you want to do all the time.' 'Gaming is different,' Orlando says. 'You're going to keep playing for hours, and you'll want to come back.' Chances are you've never heard of Orlando's Zone-ify service, which looks a bit like Tubi did 10 years ago: a few high-profile titles and lots of older catalog content you'll likely find elsewhere, as well. At this point, the company's game library matches that vibe, with a bunch of knock-off versions of popular games like Connect 4 and Candy Crush, all of which can be played with a remote control. And yet, I quickly found myself sucked in, solving level after level in a game called Crazy Lot, which looks a lot like Rush Hour. To add games to streaming, Zone-ify partnered with ES3, a company that has been building interactive advertising experiences for major media companies. However, this was the first time that a service used ES3's tech for gaming inside a free streaming app. 'I was shocked that there wasn't another ad-supported video service that was doing it,' Orlando says. Zone-ify didn't remain the only ad-supported service with casual games for very long. In late July, Future Today announced that it was adding puzzles, word games, and things like pool and air hockey to its Happykids and Fawesome apps on Roku devices. And some time later this year, Netflix is expected to launch a first crop of party games. 'We want to reimagine what social engaging experiences can unfold in the living room,' said Jeet Shroff, Netflix's vice president of game technology, at a Netflix Game Developers Conference event earlier this year. Netflix's party games are an extension of the company's massive push into gaming, which also includes dozens of mobile games and cloud gaming to bring AAA titles to the TV. Netflix did scale back some of its more ambitious indie gaming efforts and closed down an in-house game studio last year. However, the company is still heavily invested in gaming as a whole, with its gaming head Alain Tascan telling reporters at the GDC event that Netflix was on its way to become the Netflix of gaming. As part of those efforts, Netflix has built its own mobile game controller app. In the context of party games, that controller is poised to become a dedicated second screen, complete with prompts and clues that could make things like multiplayer quizzes more fun. 'You have information that perhaps is only available to you,' Shroff said. 'There's all this amazing social gameplay that can unfold.' Incorporating phones into TV-based game play works surprisingly well, according to Child, whose company Volley has been building voice-centric multiplayer games for smart TVs. 'We were worried about the friction of having people go get their phones,' Child says. But in a world where people cling to their mobile devices all day, that worry turned out to be unfounded. 'We found that people are happy to use their phone,' he says. Volley makes use of phones to extend voice input to multiple players (few people own a TV with built-in far field microphones, and sharing a single voice remote can be awkward during a fast-paced game). For some games, they also offer dedicated controls: the company's Jeopardy adaptation turns your smart phone into a buzzer, making the game feel a lot more like the real thing. 'It really replicates that actual experience of being on the game show,' Child says. Volley's experience with games like Jeopardy seems to validate some of Netflix's ideas. 'The live multiplayer family game night experience is really compelling,' Child says. 'You have kids playing with their parents, playing with their grandparents.' And once they start, they keep playing. 'Our average session is well over an hour,' he says. However, Child also cautions that bringing games to the TV can't be a one-and-done kind of affair. Even for casual games, players want regular updates — something that may require streamers to treat games much like the rest of their content. 'If a streaming service had only one show you wanted to watch, once you finished that show, you wouldn't come back,' he says. This is Lowpass by Janko Roettgers, a column on the ever-evolving intersection of tech and entertainment, syndicated just for The Verge subscribers once a week. Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Janko Roettgers Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Column Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Gaming Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. 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National Post
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- National Post
Zone·ify Becomes First AVOD Platform to Launch Free Gaming Through TV Remote Controls
Article content After shattering streaming records with the 'Border Brawl,' co-produced with TNA Wrestling, Zone·ify expands its entertainment platform with interactive TV games and branded game opportunities Article content TORONTO — Zone·ify, the rapidly growing free streaming platform, today announced the launch of a new feature: free interactive games playable instantly with an existing TV remote. In partnership with ES3 – the leading TV interactive engagement platform provider, the launch makes Zone·ify the first AVOD (Ad Supported Video on Demand) platform to offer native gaming as part of the core TV experience – no downloads, consoles, or mobile devices required. The games are now available on a wide range of streaming devices and cable and satellite providers, including Android TV, Fire TV, Comcast Xfinity TV, DIRECTV U-verse, Rogers Xfinity TV, and many others. The launch follows the explosive success of The Border Brawl, Zone·ify's first exclusive live sporting event streamed from Niagara Falls, Canada which became the most-watched title in company history and drove a 13x increase in live watch time. Now available on demand, the event was a cross-border showdown of wrestling legends and reality stars that drew record-breaking viewership across the U.S. and Canada. Building on that moment, Zone·ify is taking the next step in redefining free entertainment. Article content 'We're not just a streaming service anymore – we're a full-scale entertainment platform,' said Doug Edwards, President of Zone·ify. 'From the viral success of The Border Brawl and our rapidly growing library of content to the launch of TV gaming, we are evolving into a destination for watching, playing, and engaging – all in one place.' Article content Now live with over a dozen casual games, Zone·ify's newest feature offers instant gameplay using nothing more than the TV remote – no downloads, no mobile devices, and no extra hardware required. The company has plans to rapidly expand its game catalog and offer custom-branded games for advertisers and sponsors, providing a new, measurable way to engage with audiences. With branded game integrations, companies can align their marketing campaigns or entertainment IP with playable content, reaching viewers through immersive interaction. Article content Zone·ify's free games are available now on these devices with more planned to launch in the coming months: Article content Zone·ify's first-ever exclusive live sports event, The Border Brawl, held in Niagara Falls, Canada, shattered the platform's all-time streaming record with a 13X surge in live watch time. Fueled by national pride, reality TV stars, and wrestling legends like 'The Mountie' Jacques Rougeau, Barbie Blank, Brutus 'The Barber' Beefcake, Matt Hardy, Nic Nemeth, Tommy Dreamer, and many others, the event delivered an outrageous showdown between Team USA and Team Canada. Streaming free on Zone·ify, the spectacle became the most-watched title in company history and is now available on demand across Roku, Fire TV, Android TV, Comcast, Cox, and more. Article content Zone·ify, available on over 422 million devices and in 16 million Pay TV households, delivers thousands of movies, TV shows, curated short-form content, FAST channels, games, and events like nothing else on the digital landscape. Article content ABOUT ZONE·IFY Article content Zone·ify is a free, ad-supported streaming entertainment platform delivering live events, FAST channels, movies, short-form content, games, and exclusive programming to audiences across the U.S. and Canada. Available on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Comcast, DIRECTV, Cox, Rogers, Bell, mobile devices, and the web, Zone·ify reaches over 422 million consumer devices and 16 million Pay TV households. With 75+ curated channels, a growing slate of live ring sports, and bold original content, Zone·ify is where niche meets mainstream — all in one place, always free. Learn more at Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content
National Post
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- National Post
Flags, Fists & Fallout: Trump and Carney Called to U.S. Versus Canada Wrestling Smackdown
Article content Zone·ify turns up the heat with full-page ads in The New York Post and The Toronto Star challenging the U.S. and Canadian leaders to attend May 25 'Border Brawl' wrestling supershow in Niagara Falls, Canada Article content Article content The Border Brawl will stream for free and exclusively on – starting at 5 pm ET Article content NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario — The gloves are off, and so are the diplomatic filters. This week, Zone·ify placed full-page ads in The New York Post and The Toronto Star publicly inviting President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney to witness the ultimate international smackdown: 'The Border Brawl', a live, no-holds-barred wrestling spectacle streaming free across Canada and the USA on May 25. Article content Zone·ify turns up the heat with full-page ads in The New York Post and The Toronto Star challenging the U.S. and Canadian leaders to attend May 25 'Border Brawl' wrestling supershow in Niagara Falls, Canada. Held at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre – on the Canadian side of the Falls – 'The Border Brawl' will pit Team USA against Team Canada in a high-impact, suplex-filled showdown. With politicians stuck in a stalemate over trade, softwood lumber, steel, and maple syrup bragging rights, Zone·ify is settling the score in a more sophisticated way: in the wrestling ring. Article content 'With politicians on both sides of the border stuck in a deadlock, we decided to go big — with full-page invites in two of the most patriotic tabloids on the continent,' said Doug Edwards, President of Zone·tv. 'It's time for the leaders of the free world to tag in and witness what real international conflict resolution looks like: sweat, smack talk, and steel chairs.' Article content Zone·ify and TNA Wrestling put together two teams of elite wrestling warriors and coaches. Team America to battle on behalf of Mr. Trump and Team Canada to throw their elbows up for Mr. Carney. The star-studded lineup for 'The Border Brawl' includes: Article content Flag Match: Nic Nemeth (USA) vs. Santino Marella (Canada) Matt Hardy (USA) vs. Eric Young (Canada) Tessa Blanchard (USA) vs. Jody Threat (Canada) Brian Myers and Eddie Edwards (w/ Alisha Edwards) (USA) vs. Judas Icarus and Travis Williams (Canada) Hardcore Match: Tommy Dreamer (USA) vs. Champagne Singh (Canada) Victoria Crawford (USA) vs. Courtney Rush (Canada) Moose and JDC (USA) vs. Channing Decker and Jesse Bieber (Canada) Frankie Kazarian (USA) vs. Cody Deaner (Canada) Sami Callihan (USA) vs. William Trudeau (w/ The Personal Concierge) (Canada) Article content The Border Brawl also features powerhouse coaches for both nations: Article content USA Coaches Article content Former UFC star Rampage Jackson Former WWE star Kelly Kelly With special guest Brutus 'The Barber' Beefcake Article content CANADA Coaches Article content Former WWE star Jacques 'The Mountie' Rougeau Former TNA star Allie Article content Tickets are available now through and The main event streams live and free, exclusively on Zone·ify at 5:00 pm ET, followed by a fan meet-and-greet. Article content A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit veterans and wounded warrior organizations across both nations. So, whether you're waving stars and stripes or repping the maple leaf, this night is for warriors past and present. Article content Will Trump and Carney appear ringside? Or will they dodge the body slams like another trade negotiation? Will Canada become the 51 st State or will America join the Monarchy again? Discover on May 25, exclusively on Zone·ify! Article content Zone·ify, available on over 422 million devices and in 16 million Pay TV households, delivers curated live content, FAST channels, and events like nothing else on the digital landscape. Partnering with TNA Wrestling, this event brings together decades of ring drama, nationalist tension, and a shared love of over-the-top theatrics. Article content Zone·ify is a free, ad-supported streaming platform delivering live events, FAST channels, movies, short-form content, and exclusive programming to audiences across the U.S. and Canada. Available on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Comcast, DIRECTV, Cox, Rogers, Bell, mobile devices, and the web, Zone·ify reaches over 422 million consumer devices and 16 million Pay TV households. With 75+ curated channels, a growing slate of live ring sports, and bold original content, Zone·ify is where niche meets mainstream — all in one place, always free. Learn more at Article content A subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc. and a division of Anthem Sports Group, Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling ® is one of the world's top wrestling brands, producing over 200 hours of original content annually and televised in 200 countries including AXS TV in the United States. Founded in 2002, TNA Wrestling's deep library of premium content is streamed across the world on key OTT platforms including Pluto TV, Roku Samsung TV Plus and its own on-demand subscription service TNA+©. TNA Wrestling has a powerful social media presence with over 10 million engaged followers across all major services. Ancillary businesses include live events, merchandise, licensing, and sponsorship. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
National Post
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- National Post
Diplomacy Taps Out: U.S. President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Carney Invited Ringside at the Zone·ify "The Border Brawl" Mega-Event
Article content The free streaming entertainment platform Zone·ify throws down the gauntlet and invites world leaders to take ringside seats for the only international conflict that ends with a body slam Article content Article content Streaming free across Canada and the U.S., the May 25 spectacle in Niagara Falls promises tariffs, trash talk, and tag teams Article content Starting Thursday at 10 am ET, tickets go on sale through and Article content NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario — If tariffs, timber disputes, and pipeline politics weren't enough, the real showdown between America and Canada is now set — and United States President Donald J. Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney are officially invited to witness it firsthand. Welcome to 'The Border Brawl,' a no-holds-barred wrestling spectacle co-produced by Zone·ify and TNA Wrestling, streaming live, free, and exclusively on across Canada and the U.S. on May 25. Article content Taking place on the Canadian side of the majestic Niagara Falls, 'The Border Brawl' is not just a wrestling event. With traditional diplomacy in a headlock, Zone·ify is extending VIP invitations to Trump and Carney to attend the festivities and maybe even raise a championship belt together…or at least agree on a decent steel trade deal. Article content 'The level of political sparring in the U.S. – Canada trade and tariff talks has been a spectacle, to say the least,' said Doug Edwards, President of Zone·tv. 'Having our two leaders settle this at the 'Border Brawl' wrestling event may be the best and most entertaining way to get the deals done.' Article content Streaming for free on Zone·ify and airing live at 5:00 PM ET on May 25, the event will feature legends like Brutus 'The Barber' Beefcake, 'The Mountie' Jacques Rougeau, Kelly Kelly (Barbie Blank), UFC icon Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson, and a soon-to-be-revealed lineup of TNA Wrestling's top stars. The live event will be held at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre, followed by a fan meet and greet. Tickets will be available starting Thursday at 10 am ET at and Article content Happening on Memorial Day weekend, a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit nonprofit organizations supporting injured veterans and active-duty service members — a meaningful cause on both sides of the border. Article content Whether you're red, white, and blue… or red and white with a maple leaf, this is the one time you'll want your politicians ringside instead of stonewalling in Ottawa or DC. And who knows? If Trump and Carney show up, they might just find common ground — or at least agree that body slams speak louder than sanctions. Article content Zone·ify is a free, ad-supported streaming platform delivering live events, FAST channels, movies, short-form content, and exclusive programming to audiences across the U.S. and Canada. Available on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Comcast, DIRECTV, Cox, Rogers, Bell, mobile devices, and the web, Zone·ify reaches over 422 million consumer devices and 16 million Pay TV households. With 75+ curated channels, a growing slate of live ring sports, and bold original content, Zone·ify is where niche meets mainstream — all in one place, always free. Learn more at Article content A subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc. and a division of Anthem Sports Group, Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling® is one of the world's top wrestling brands, producing over 200 hours of original content annually and televised in 200 countries including AXS TV in the United States. Founded in 2002, TNA Wrestling's deep library of premium content is streamed across the world on key OTT platforms including Pluto TV, Roku Samsung TV Plus and its own on-demand subscription service TNA+©. TNA Wrestling has a powerful social media presence with over 10 million engaged followers across all major services. Ancillary businesses include live events, merchandise, licensing, and sponsorship. Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Peter Binazeski Zone·tv pbinazeski@ mediarelations@ Article content Article content Article content
