Blinkx and the Evolution of RhythmOne
The landscape of digital media has been shaped by the constant evolution of how we discover and monetize video content. At the center of this transformation was Blinkx, an Internet Media platform designed to bridge the gap between online video viewers, publishers, and distributors. By leveraging advanced search technology and strategic acquisitions, Blinkx evolved from a specialized search tool into a comprehensive media entity known as RhythmOne.
Blinkx built its foundation on a massive index of over 35 million hours of video and established 800 media partnerships. The engine driving this capability was known as CORE, a proprietary search technology backed by 111 patents.
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Key Facts
- Founder: Suranga Chandratillake founded Blinkx in 2004.
- Core Technology: The CORE search engine is supported by 111 patents.
- Major Pivot: Blinkx rebranded as RhythmOne plc in June 2016.
- Key Acquisitions: Burst Media, Rhythm NewMedia, and All Media Network.
- Final Transition: Acquired by Taptica International in 2019 (now Nexxen).
The Rise of Blinkx: From Toolbar to Platform
Blinkx began its journey in 2004 as a web search toolbar specializing in video. Within its first year, the company expanded rapidly, launching a full audio and video search engine in December 2004 and introducing SmartFeed—an RSS (Really Simple Syndication) web feed for video links—in July 2005.
The company's technological prowess caught the attention of industry giants. In October 2006, Microsoft Corp. integrated Blinkx technology to power video search for portions of Live.com and MSN. This was followed by the 2007 launch of AdHoc, a contextual video advertising platform.
Expanding the Ecosystem (2008–2011)
Between 2008 and 2011, Blinkx diversified its product offerings to cover various consumption methods:
- Blinkx Beat: A video screensaver released in 2008.
- Advanced Media Platform (AMP): A proprietary video content management solution.
- Blinkx Remote: A directory for full-length online TV shows in the US and UK.
- Mobile Integration: The launch of a mobile video search site and a mobile API (Application Programming Interface) in 2010.
By November 2010, the company achieved profitability and positive operating cash flow, doubling its year-on-year revenue.
Strategic Acquisitions and the Shift to RhythmOne
Blinkx aggressively expanded its reach through acquisitions. In April 2011, it acquired Burst Media, bringing 35 million hours of video to an audience of 130 million unique users. This was followed by the acquisition of Prime Visibility Media Group (PVMG) in November 2011 and Rhythm NewMedia Inc. in December 2013.
A pivotal moment occurred in April 2015 when Blinkx acquired All Media Network. This acquisition included high-profile properties such as Allmusic.com, Allmovie.com, and Sidereel.com. To unify these diverse brands, the company rebranded as RhythmOne.
In June 2016, Blinkx plc officially changed its name to RhythmOne plc on the London Stock Exchange. The company continued to grow, acquiring Perk.com in 2016, assets from RadiumOne in 2017, and YuMe Inc. for $185 million in September 2017. The journey culminated in April 2019 when RhythmOne was acquired by Taptica International.
The Legacy of All Media Network
All Media Network (originally All Media Guide) played a significant role in the archiving of popular culture. Founded in 1990 by Michael Erlewine in Big Rapids, Michigan, the company aimed to compile comprehensive discographic information on every recording artist since Enrico Caruso.
The network grew through several specialized guides:
- All Music Guide (AllMusic): Launched in 1991.
- All Movie Guide (AllMovie): Launched in 1994.
- All Game Guide (AllGame): Launched in 1998 (closed in 2014).
The company underwent several ownership changes, including a period under Alliance Entertainment and a $102 million purchase by Macrovision (later TiVo/Rovi) in 2007. In 2013, Rovi sold consumer access to the newly formed All Media Network, LLC, before the entity was eventually acquired by Blinkx in 2015.
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| Entity | Key Milestone | Year | Outcome/Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blinkx | Founded | 2004 | Video search toolbar |
| All Media Network | Founded | 1990 | Pop-culture archiving |
| Blinkx | Microsoft Partnership | 2006 | Powered MSN/Live.com video search |
| Blinkx | Acquired All Media Network | 2015 | Unified under RhythmOne brand |
| RhythmOne | Acquired by Taptica | 2019 | Taptica later rebranded as Nexxen (2023) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the CORE technology used by Blinkx?
CORE was the proprietary search engine technology developed by Blinkx, supported by 111 patents, which allowed the platform to index and search over 35 million hours of video.
When did Blinkx become RhythmOne?
The company began unifying its brands under the RhythmOne name after acquiring All Media Network in April 2015, and officially changed its name to RhythmOne plc on the London Stock Exchange in June 2016.
What happened to All Media Network's websites?
Websites like AllMusic and AllMovie were acquired by Blinkx in 2015 as part of the All Media Network acquisition and were subsequently brought under the RhythmOne Group banner.
Who eventually acquired RhythmOne?
RhythmOne was acquired by Taptica International in April 2019. Taptica later rebranded as Nexxen in 2023.
What was the purpose of the All Music Guide?
Founded by Michael Erlewine, the All Music Guide aimed to compile discographic information on every artist who had made a record since the era of Enrico Caruso.