The investment comes as the sports content creator transitions away from a subscriptions model
Aser Ventures has made an equity investment in the sports-focused content studio Otro.
The investment company’s portfolio already includes a number of sports businesses such as Eleven Sports and Leeds United. The investment in Otro is a ‘strategic partnership’ between Aser and Otro’s existing shareholder Corrum Capital Management.
The cash injection will enable Otro to continue its focus on creating premium long, mid and short-form content.
The platform was originally subscription-based, offering exclusive content around some of the biggest global football stars including Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr., David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane for a monthly fee.
As well as partnering with footballing talent, Otro creates content with sports stars from NBA, Formula 1, NFL and the world of entertainment.
Otro dropped the subscription model in favour of distributing content across different streaming platforms, broadcasters, operators and telcos, in addition to its own social channels.
Otro’s YouTube channel has amassed 30 million views so far, with 1.65 million subscribers. Across all its social platforms, it has received 185+ million views of content.
The relationship with Aser has already helped lead to an agreement between Otro and Eleven Sports that will enable Eleven Sports to broadcast Otro programmes on its OTT platform in Belgium, Portugal and Italy
Claire McArdle, managing director, Otro, said: “Otro has worked closely with its strong and supportive investment partners since its foundation, and bringing Aser Ventures into that mix with its sports industry expertise and portfolio of sports and sports media properties provides us with the strategic depth we need to leverage our strong content and talent partnerships as we execute our business model.”