Wayra invests in Sceenic

Telefónica’s innovation hub Wayra has invested an undisclosed amount in Watch Together provider, Sceenic.

The software enables viewers to share video content while video chatting – everyone watches the same live content at the same time in the same virtual room, while being able to chat about the content.

Sceenic powers BT Sport’s watch together option, through the Matchday Experiences section of BT Sport app, and also provides similar functionality for ScreenHits TV, and for events such as the Eurovision Song Content, for the German market.

Sceenic can be rapidly implemented, with SDKs for mobile, web, Smart TVs, tablets and set-top boxes.

With the investment from Wayra, Sceenic aims to strengthen its presence in the markets where Telefónica operates in Europe and Latin America.

Jonathan Williams, chief operating officer at Sceenic, said: “As a team, it has been rewarding to welcome Wayra into the family, as it is proof of the great potential they see in Sceenic as a company, and of the shared vision we have of bringing people together. Telefónica’s great understanding of our technology will enable us to evolve even faster and give us greater access to new industries.”

Paloma Castellano, director of Wayra Madrid, added: “The entertainment sector has radically changed in recent years, a shift that intensified as a result of the pandemic, giving Sceenic a very attractive proposition. Wayra’s eagerness to get behind this project is a clear indicator of Telefónica’s interest in these new forms of digital entertainment, which are increasingly found in the homes of millions of people.”