Qello

{{Short description|Video on demand service owned by Stingray Digital and headquartered in New York City}}

{{Infobox company

| name = Qello

| logo = Qello_Concerts_Logo.png

| logo_caption =

| image =

| image_caption =

| industry = Video hosting

| type = Subsidiary

| foundation = 2010

| founder = Brian Lisi
Rich Johnson
Bob Frank

| location_city = Montreal

| location_country = Canada

| parent = Stingray Group

| products = Digital streaming of concert and music documentaries

| homepage = {{URL|http://www.qello.com}}

}}

Qello Concerts (also known as Qello, Stingray Qello) is an American-based entertainment company founded in 2010, in New York, by Brian Lisi, Bob Frank, and Richard Johnson.{{cite web|url=http://pando.com/2014/10/24/qello-is-quietly-building-a-netflix-for-music-films-and-maybe-building-the-future-of-digital-video/|title=Qello is quietly building a "Netflix for music films" — and maybe building the future of digital video|publisher=Pando Daily|author=David Holmes|date=October 24, 2014|access-date=November 19, 2014|archive-date=November 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141118173610/http://pando.com/2014/10/24/qello-is-quietly-building-a-netflix-for-music-films-and-maybe-building-the-future-of-digital-video/|url-status=dead}} Qello is the parent company of digital streaming service Qello Concerts, and over-the-top content service provider Qello Media Solutions. Qello Concerts is a digital streaming music service specializing in on-demand concert films and music documentaries.{{cite web|url=http://socialbarrel.com/qello-chosen-to-present-new-hd-concert-films-at-google-io-2011/7818/|title=Qello Chosen to Present New HD Concert Films at Google I/O 2011|publisher=Social Barrel|author=Francis Rey Balolong|access-date=November 5, 2013|date=2011-05-14}} In 2016, Qello Concerts added live streaming events and original programming. It was acquired by Stingray Group in January 2018.

Background

Qello Concerts licenses long-form concerts, documentaries, behind the scenes footage and interviews from both major and independent music labels.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmyfaves.com/blog/entertainment/qello-the-one-stop-for-hd-concerts-and-music-documentaries/|title=Qello – The One Stop for HD Concerts and Music Documentaries|date=13 May 2013 |publisher=All My Faves|access-date=November 5, 2013}} Qello Concerts is available in more than 160 countries.{{cite news | title = Leaders and Visionaries Series Qello CEO, Brian Lisi | publisher = Needham Industry Report | author1 = Laura Martin | author2= Dan Medina | date = 14 July 2014 }} Qello Concerts entered the film and television industry in 2016, debuting its first series, Evolution of a Song.{{cite web|url=http://www.jambase.com/article/o-r-featured-qello-original-series-evolution-song|title=O.A.R. Featured In Qello Original Series 'Evolution Of A Song'|date=24 May 2016}} The platform also began its live streaming events initiative in 2016 offering live stream events including Slightly Stoopid with Bob Weir at TRI Studios, the 2016 Lockn' Festival,{{Cite web | url=http://nysmusic.com/2016/08/25/lookin-for-lockn-free-stream-available-on-multiple-platforms-this-weekend/ | title=Lookin' for LOCKN'? Free Stream Available on Multiple Platforms This Weekend| date=2016-08-25}} and Umphrey's McGee’s Chucktown Ball.{{cite web|url=http://www.jambase.com/article/full-show-audio-umphreys-mcgee-kicks-off-chucktown-ball-north-charleston|title=Full Show Audio: Umphrey's McGee Kicks Off Chucktown Ball In North Charleston|date=24 September 2016}}

Qello launched Qello Media Solutions in 2015 as a white label digital streaming service provider with a variety of media clients including Acorn TV.{{Cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/thewire/world-class-tv-streamer-acorn-tv-now-available-apple-tv-and-new-ios-app/147542|title=World-class TV streamer Acorn TV now available on Apple TV and new iOS app - Broadcasting & Cable|accessdate=22 May 2023|archive-date=May 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520181015/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/thewire/world-class-tv-streamer-acorn-tv-now-available-apple-tv-and-new-ios-app/147542|url-status=dead}}

In January of 2018, Canadian streaming media company Stingray Group announced that they had acquired Qello.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stingray.com/about-us/press-room/news-and-press-releases/stingray-acquires-qello-concerts|title=Stingray Acquires Qello Concerts|website=Stingray|date=January 12, 2018 |accessdate=22 May 2023}} The Qello Concerts service has since been renamed "Stingray Qello".

The Qello executive team includes Brian Lisi as CEO, Bob Frank as President of Qello Concerts, Richard Johnson as Director of Business Development and Chief Revenue Officer, and Nicole Johnson as Director of Communications.{{Cite web|url=https://qello.com/|title=Live concert streaming | Qello Concerts by Stingray|website=Qello Website|accessdate=22 May 2023}}

History

In May 2011, Qello was given one of Google's Developer Sandbox spots at Google I/O.

In June 2011, RightsFlow, a licensing and royalty service provider, entered into an agreement with Qello, providing them with a service for royalty reporting, ensuring that rights holders are properly compensated for the use of their creative work. A percentage of all monthly revenue goes directly to the content provider.{{cite web|url=http://www.benzinga.com/news/13/07/3731577/qellos-revenue-share-could-pay-artists-more-than-pandora|title=Qello's Revenue Share Could Pay Artists More Than Pandora|publisher=Benzinga|author=Louis Bedigian|access-date=November 5, 2013|date=2013-07-05}}

In May 2012, Qello and EMI music entered an agreement, expanding Qello's library with content from EMI's library as well.{{cite web|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=410453|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012134238/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=410453|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 12, 2007|title=Company Overview of Maltby Capital Limited|publisher=Bloomberg Businessweek|access-date=November 5, 2013}} EMI was a British multinational recording and publishing company.

In April 2013, Qello launched a music blog designed to feature original content called Inside the Q.{{cite web|url=http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2013/04/qello-launches-blog-with-ben-tong-forres-an-example-of-smart-music-tech-marketing.html|title=Qello Launches Blog With Ben Tong Forres, An Example Of Smart Music Tech Marketing|date=22 April 2013|publisher=Hypebot|access-date=November 5, 2013}} Ben Fong-Torres, former editor for Rolling Stone, is the Senior Editor.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/popcandy/2013/07/23/qello/2578721/|title=Cool app: Qello, a haven for music movies|publisher=USA Today|author=Whitney Matheson|access-date=November 5, 2013}} Inside the Q bloggers introduce Center Stage and Breakout artists being featured on Qello, as well as information about New Music Tuesdays, the apps new releases.{{cite web|url=http://www.appolicious.com/articles/12749-developing-minds-want-to-know-q-a-with-qello-ceo-brian-lisi|title=Developing Minds Want to Know: Q&A with Qello CEO, Brian Lisi|publisher=Appolicious|access-date=November 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304042744/http://www.appolicious.com/articles/12749-developing-minds-want-to-know-q-a-with-qello-ceo-brian-lisi|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead}} The blog also has reviews of the concerts and documentaries featured on Qello with Fong-Torres's accounts of personal encounters and interviews with many of the artists.{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/newyork/news/2013/04/17/rolling-stones-ben-fong-torres-joins.html|title=Rolling Stone magazine's Fong-Torres joins Qello to blog about concert films|publisher=New York Business Journal|access-date=November 5, 2013}}

As of July 2014, Qello has 3 million registered users in more than 160 countries.

Features

Users can access Qello via its mobile app available on iOS and Android, its YouTube channel, Amazon’s Kindle Fire, Windows Mobile, and Sony and Samsung Smart TVs.{{cite web|url=http://www.maxim.com/music/the-app-review-qello|title=The App Review - Qello|publisher=Maxim|author=John Sciarrino|access-date=November 5, 2013|archive-date=December 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229111607/http://www.maxim.com/music/the-app-review-qello|url-status=dead}} Users can log in using their Facebook or Twitter account, or by creating a login.{{cite web|url=http://appadvice.com/appnn/2012/05/qellos-latest-update-may-be-music-to-your-ears|title=Qello's Latest Update May Be Music To Your Ears|publisher=AppAdvice|author=Aldrin Calimlim|access-date=November 5, 2013|date=2012-05-04}} If using a device supporting iTunes, Qello scans the users iTunes library and suggests bands and videos the user may want to watch but had not previously purchased.{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1566994/app-review-qello-a-music-dvd-fiends-new-best-friend|title=Qello: A Music DVD Fiend's New Best Friend|publisher=Billboard|author=David Downs|access-date=November 5, 2013}} It also gives iOS users access to purchase audio tracks of artists directly through iTunes.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}} Qello allows users to create and share custom set lists.{{cite web|url=http://www.chipchick.com/2013/10/qello.html|title=Qello is What MTV and VH1 Used to Be|publisher=Chip Chick|author=Chance Kinney|access-date=November 5, 2013|date=2013-10-07}} All users get unlimited access to Qello TV, which has more than 30 channels of non-stop concert moments; they also get one track from every concert film. Qello also offers an All-Access Pass giving subscribers unlimited access to every full-length concert and documentary in the library.

Platforms

Qello is also available on Sony and Samsung smart TVs, Kindle Fire, and iOS and Android devices.{{ cite news | url = http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/qello-inks-licensing-deal-with-emi-music-150911925.html | title = Qello Inks Licensing Deal With EMI Music | publisher = PR Newswire | access-date = 18 May 2014 }}

In December 2011, Qello was added to Google TV, and in May 2013, YouTube announced it would be featuring Qello as one of two channels launched in its new subscription channels.{{cite web|url=http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2013/05/qello-concerts-rap-battle-network-join-youtubes-subscription-channels.html|title=YouTube Adds Paid Subscriptions With Just 2 Music Channels: Qello Concerts & Rap Battle|date=10 May 2013|publisher=Hypebot|access-date=November 5, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.berkleegroove.com/2013/07/17/qello-the-worlds-largest-music-streaming-service-on-youtube/|title=Qello: The World's Largest Music Streaming Service on YouTube|publisher=Berklee Groove|author=Caleb Hsu|access-date=November 5, 2013}} This partnership allows YouTube users to access all of the content from Qello. Soon after, in June 2013, Qello was added to Apple TV, making Qello available everywhere that Apple TV is available.{{cite web|url=https://thenextweb.com/apple/2013/06/19/apple-tv-gets-hbo-go-espn-sky-news-crunchyroll-and-qello-as-itunes-passes-1bn-tv-show-downloads/|title=Apple TV gets HBO GO, ESPN, Sky News, Crunchyroll and Qello, as iTunes passes 1bn TV show downloads|publisher=The Next Web|author=Nick Summers|access-date=November 5, 2013|date=2013-06-19}} The following month, July 2013, Qello was added among the Chromecast apps. In April 2014, the Qello app became available for Roku devices.{{cite web|title=Roku devices can now stream Qello's concert library for $4.99 per month|author=Billy Steele|publisher=Engadget|date=3 April 2014|access-date=21 April 2014|url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/04/03/roku-qello-concerts/}} Qello was also a launch partner on the Amazon Fire TV.{{cite magazine|title=Netflix, Hulu Plus, Dozens of Other Streaming Apps Available on Amazon's Fire TV|magazine=Billboard|date=2 April 2014|access-date=21 April 2014|url=http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/digital-and-mobile/6032624/netflix-hulu-plus-dozens-of-other-streaming-apps}} In September 2014, Qello became available on PlayStation 4.

Qello was previously available on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 via the PlayStation Network, but the service has since been suspended on these platforms.{{cite web|url=http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2013/11/now_you_can_attend_music_concerts_directly_from_your_ps3|title=Now You Can Attend Music Concerts Directly from Your PS3|publisher=Push Square|access-date=December 26, 2013|date=2013-11-26}}{{cite web | url = http://pando.com/2014/10/24/qello-is-quietly-building-a-netflix-for-music-films-and-maybe-building-the-future-of-digital-video/ | title = Qello is quietly building a "Netflix for music films" — and maybe building the future of digital video | publisher = Pando Daily | date = 24 October 2014 | access-date = 28 October 2014 | author = Holmes, Brian | archive-date = October 28, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141028031030/http://pando.com/2014/10/24/qello-is-quietly-building-a-netflix-for-music-films-and-maybe-building-the-future-of-digital-video/ | url-status = dead }} On May 4, 2016, PlayStation users in North America were emailed notifying them of the suspension of service and were instead encouraged to use other platforms or the paid-service Amazon Prime. As of May 6, 2016, however, the Qello website still lists PS3, PS4, and PS Vita as supported devices.{{cite web|url=https://qello.com/devices|title=Qello Concerts - Watch Live Concert Films and Music Documentaries On Demand|date=5 December 2016|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205180912/https://qello.com/devices|archive-date=5 December 2016}}

In 2020, Qello Concerts was made available via STV Player, the streaming service of Scottish broadcaster STV.{{cite web|title=STV Player content expands as performance soars|work=STV Group|date=29 April 2020|access-date=22 April 2021|url=http://www.stvplc.tv/blog/2020/04/stv-player-content-expands-as-performance-soars}} Viewers could watch a live-stream of the channel,{{cite web|title=STV Player - Channels - Qello|work=STV Player|access-date=22 April 2021|url=https://player.stv.tv/live/qello|archive-date=April 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422230126/https://player.stv.tv/live/qello|url-status=dead}} as well as view a selection of concerts on demand.{{cite web|title=STV Player - Music|work=STV Player|access-date=22 April 2021|url=https://player.stv.tv/categories/music}} Qello's streamed channel was removed from STV Player in 2021, however, a selection of concerts are available to view in the "Music" section.

In 2021, Qello Concerts joined Freeview in the United Kingdom along with sister channel Stingray Naturescape. The channels can be found on channel 271 via the Channelbox streaming portal alongside Now 70s, Now 90s and Clubland TV.{{Cite web|url=https://www.channelbox.tv/|title=Channelbox|website=Channelbox|accessdate=22 May 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://rxtvinfo.com/2021/stringray-channels-added-to-freeview-channelbox|title = Stringray channels added to Freeview Channelbox|date = 17 March 2021}}

References

External links

[https://qello.com/ Qello Concerts Official website]
[https://www.qellojapan.com/ Qello Japan Official website]