ProgramBuyer.com, the non-transactional screening site, is pleased to announce that it has launched PB Alerts, a unique new content discoverability feature that links with distributors’ own websites.

Created by Scoutline.tv, a new business established by French content and technology entrepreneurs Hugo Brisbois and Vincent Rolea, the feature uses sophisticated proprietary algorithms to track new content as it is uploaded on distributor websites. If any new content matches current buyer criteria, it triggers a notification, which is sent to buyers through the ProgramBuyer portal.

This new feature was branded PB Alerts after ProgramBuyer and Scoutline.tv agreed to an exclusive partnership, giving ProgramBuyer the sole third-party rights to use this technology within the wider content industry.

PB Alerts automatically advises buyers when the specific types of content they are looking for are uploaded to the company websites of any of ProgramBuyer’s participating distributor partners. All buyers need to do is register their criteria for free – which can be as broad as ‘drama’ and ‘factual’ or as narrow as ‘wartime thrillers’ and ‘transgender documentaries’ – and when new programmes that fit that criteria are uploaded, they will receive regular notifications from ProgramBuyer, with a link to the content, directly into their inbox.

Buyers are swiftly notified of any relevant new content, without having to search for it, while for distributors, the PB Alerts feature provides a rapid-response, rifle-shot supplement to their usual new programme launch activity.

Roger Vanderspikken, COO at distributor Fred Media comments: “PB Alerts is a valuable addition to ProgramBuyer.com. As the buyer universe grows through new platforms entering the market or as buyers at existing channels change their wish-lists, PB Alerts quickly puts the right content in front of them. This ensures, for example, that any buyer interested in blue-light content will know immediately when our new series of Emergency or Paramedics become available, and they can quickly get in touch with us if they are interested in striking a deal.”

Roz Parker, co-founder of ProgramBuyer says: “With so much new content launching each year, it can be challenging for distributors to give every title a big marketing push to stand out. In effect, PB Alerts allows for the process to be reversed, creating a unique ‘marketing pull’ activity. And the fact that it is so highly targeted, not to mention cost-effective, means that its ability to drive immediate discoverability should be of huge benefit to anyone who buys and sells content. PB Alerts is a further example of how we are working to bring the industry together as it doesn’t even rely on content being on the ProgramBuyer portal. As long as it is uploaded to a distributor website then our buyer and seller clients can benefit.”

ProgramBuyer has successfully aggregated 120,000 hours of completed content, from more than 150 distributors worldwide since its launch in 2019 and has in excess of 1200 registered buyers. Continuing with its aggregation mission and desire to be a major resource for the entire industry, the portal has launched two further features this month – with more to follow in the New Year.

Distributors can now access a new promotional tool to market their content directly to buyers. This Direct Marketing function allows content owners to swiftly select programming from their catalogues and create bespoke mailshots with synopses, video links and personal messages – all at the press of a button.

ProgramBuyer has also aggregated some of the most influential international TV trade publications – with more to follow – onto a new Media Feed page. This new ‘one-stop-shop’ for key media outlets allows ProgramBuyer users to access up-to-date industry news from around the world in one easy-to-find location.

Roz Parker, ProgramBuyer co-founder adds “Our ambition with ProgramBuyer has always been to grow the portal into an invaluable, industry-wide online resource. Each of these new developments, especially when added to the launch of our Market Releases page earlier this year and our work supporting virtual events ranging from SunnySide of the Doc to the upcoming World Congress of Science and Factual Producers, endorses that ambition while providing our users with a growing range of easy-to-use benefits and features – all in one place.”