SYDNEY and HONG KONG — AI-Media Technologies Limited (“AI-Media”), a global leader in live captioning and translation solutions, has entered a groundbreaking partnership with Lightning International (“Lightning”), the leading distributor of Free Ad-Supported Television (FAST) channels. This collaboration aims to break down barriers and bring the joy of entertainment to every corner of the globe, and enhance revenue opportunities for FAST platforms and content owners, transforming how premium content is distributed and monetized across diverse markets.
Solving Accessibility and Localization Challenges
Imagine viewers in Germany – or anywhere in the world – accessing the latest news in real time, with no language barriers. This partnership addresses key challenges for FAST platforms: delivering premium, localized content to a global audience and increasing accessibility for all viewers from heart-pounding action movies to the latest chart-topping music, and even adorable pets. Leveraging AI-Media’s LEXI and LEXI Translate solutions, content is localized in real-time with live-translated captions burned directly into the feed, making it accessible in over 50 languages.
For example, a channel previously limited to English-speaking markets, can now reach fans worldwide by offering live-translated captions in French, German, Italian, Japanese, and more. This opens new distribution channels, expands viewership, and enables content monetization in previously inaccessible markets.
Tony Abrahams, CEO of AI-Media, said “This partnership with Lightning International is a game-changer for the FAST industry. By making premium content accessible and localized in real-time, we are helping platforms grow audiences and increase revenue while making global content truly inclusive.”
Transformative Benefits for FAST Platforms and Content Owners
- Increased Engagement and Viewership: Captions enhance engagement, driving repeat viewership and longer watch times—a key factor for increasing ad opportunities on FAST platforms.
- Greater Accessibility: AI-Media’s solutions not only benefit the d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities but also cater to the growing demand for captions among millennial and Gen Z viewers, 87% of whom find captions useful for watching video content.
- New Revenue Streams: By breaking down language barriers, this partnership enables content owners to reach new markets, driving higher audience numbers and ad revenue.
- Cost-Effective Localization: Traditional live translation methods are expensive and resource intensive. AI-Media’s AI-powered solutions deliver scalable, real-time localization at a fraction of the cost, with less latency and greater reliability.
How It Works
AI-Media’s Alta and LEXI Translate solutions provide real-time transcription and translation. Captions are seamlessly integrated into the linear channel feed, which is then delivered to FAST platforms via Lightning International’s content delivery services based in Hong Kong. This approach ensures a streamlined workflow that is cost-effective, scalable, and reliable.
James Ross, CEO of Lightning International, commented “We are excited to collaborate with AI-Media. With this partnership, we are setting a new standard for localisation in the FAST industry, enabling us to unlock new markets, making it possible for every viewer to enjoy our diverse content without any language barriers.”
The future of FAST TV localisation is brighter than ever with the launch of LEXI Voice at NAB. This breakthrough in AI dubbing empowers broadcasters and content owners to deliver real-time alternate-language audio tracks—enhancing accessibility for the visually impaired and offering global audiences a more immersive, native-language experience.
