(1 February 2010 6:10 pm)

MUMBAI: Viacom18 and online video content networks company iStream.in have entered into an online video content distribution deal.

The deal will see iStream.in digitising, packaging and managing all video content belonging to Viacom18 channels across all online platforms.

Viacom18, the Network18 and Viacom JV, operates and runs a clutch of TV channels including Colors, MTV, Nick and Vh1.

“This is one of the biggest deals in the online video content market in India. Video is the fastest growing segment online and this deal will ensure that reality shows like Bigg Boss, Fear Factor-Khatron Ke Khiladi as well as serials like Balika Vadhu apart from properties like Roadies and Splitsvilla will be available online,” says iStream.in founder and CEO Radhakrishnan Ramachandran.

As part of the deal, iStream.in will create and manage online destinations for Viacom18 video content across multiple platforms. iStream.in currently has partnerships with all major online platforms like YouTube, Dailymotion, MSN, Yahoo, Indiatimes and Sify.

“We believe we can build equally powerful properties in the online space adding entertainment and engagement off the television screen as well,” says Viacom18 Media SVP – strategy & business development Anuj Poddar.

iStream will also have access to all archived content from Viacom18 including MTV Bakra with Cyrus Broacha and MTV Loveline with Malaika Arora.

The worldwide market for the ad-supported online video market is estimated at $3.5 billion and is expected to see a compounded annual growth rates of more than 35 per cent over the next four years, the company said in a statement.