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Supports up to 1440p" AfreecaTV, SOOP launching in Q2 this year
On the 11th (Thursday), AfreecaTV announced plans to launch the beta version of its global live streaming platform 'SOOP' (숲) within the second quarter of this year.
'SOOP' signifies a free space where various individuals can communicate with content anytime, anywhere, just like the 'forest' ecosystem encompassing all components. Its vision is to foster a healthy and inclusive streaming community culture where streamers, users, and partners can freely participate and grow through technological innovation, and to provide a virtuous cycle structure for the streaming business where everyone can benefit.
The connected 'OO' in the SOOP logo symbolizes the spotlight streamers receive, the telescope through which users can view a wider world, and the connection between different worlds. The symbolic color 'Energy Green' represents the creativity and passion of the streaming world that SOOP aims to protect.
Based on its technology and experience in operating a domestic live streaming platform, AfreecaTV plans to introduce differentiated global platform services and gradually expand SOOP's influence, focusing on the Southeast Asian market and esports content. It is expected that SOOP's new content will be added to AfreecaTV's existing global content such as UMB and GSL, providing a wider variety of content that can be enjoyed by users in Korea as well as in multiple languages. In addition, AfreecaTV plans to actively support the global expansion of streamers currently active on AfreecaTV through simultaneous SOOP broadcasting.
SOOP's global beta version is planned to be serviced in English, Thai, and Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), and will provide services optimized for game and esports live streaming through major feature updates in the future, such as mobile direct game broadcasting and esports tournament hosting. In addition, features that can further activate user communication and participation, such as maximum 1440p high-definition live streaming and AI (Artificial Intelligence) chatbots, will also be added.
AfreecaTV has been preparing for global expansion based on the Southeast Asian market. In July 2023, it launched 'ON Live', a live streaming platform dedicated to Vietnam, through a partnership with VTVcab, a subsidiary of Vietnam's state-owned broadcasting station VTV.
In addition, AfreecaTV has been strengthening its Southeast Asian esports business through exclusive contracts with 'FullSense', to which FPS game Valorant streamer 'SuperBusS' belongs, the launch of 'True 5G' esports-only SIM cards through a partnership with Thailand's largest mobile carrier 'True', and the hosting of the 'AfreecaTV VALORANT League 2023 (AVL 2023)' Thai qualifiers and the 'Arena of Valor (AOV)' Thailand-Vietnam rivalry match at the 'True 5G HUB Esports Stadium'.
In particular, 'AVL 2023', which was held at the Sangam 'Afreeca Colosseum' in December 2023, recorded a maximum of 100,000 concurrent viewers on the English channel and a maximum of 12,000 concurrent viewers on the Thai channel, proving the potential for global expansion.
In addition, through a partnership with 'Riot Games' in 2024, AfreecaTV will expand its influence in the market for various games and esports events, starting with the exclusive operation and broadcasting rights for the 'VALORANT Challengers Thailand', which is scheduled to open within January, as well as the production and broadcasting of Thai commentary for VCT global events such as VCT Pacific, Masters, and Champions.
Meanwhile, after the launch of the global platform SOOP, AfreecaTV plans to change the domestic service name of the AfreecaTV platform to SOOP within the third quarter and gradually reorganize the overall service, including BI, UI, domain, and design.
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2024-01-11