Screenz

High-Level Overview

Screenz is a cross-media technology company specializing in digital products and formats for the television and broadcasting industry.[1][2] It develops groundbreaking interactive content and second-screen experiences for broadcasters, producers, and format owners, serving over 30 top clients worldwide to enhance traditional TV with digital integration.[1][2] A pivotal early success was launching the technology for Israel's "Rising Star" format in 2013, which became a hit across first and second screens, demonstrating low-risk, high-success cross-media solutions.[1] The company raised $5M in a Series A round in July 2014 led by Marker, positioning it at the intersection of TV and digital innovation with reported annual revenue of around $6M and 21 employees based in Israel.[1][4]

Origin Story

Screenz emerged from Israel's vibrant "TV nation" and "startup nation" ecosystem, focusing on restarting traditional media's approach to creation and operations through digital assets.[1] Founded around 2013, the company gained early traction by partnering with leading broadcasters like Keshet on Channel 2, launching the "Rising Star" interactive technology in September 2013—a format that integrated TV with live beta digital platforms, proving the viability of their TV-digital know-how.[1] This marked a pivotal moment, establishing Screenz as a provider of strategy, technology, and cross-media products that broadcasters could adopt with minimal risk.[1] Key details on specific founders are not detailed in available sources, but the company's evolution centered on building valuable digital portfolios for media giants.[1][2]

Core Differentiators

Screenz stands out in the media tech space through these key strengths:

• TV-Digital Integration Expertise: Unique know-how in blending traditional broadcasting with second-screen experiences, as proven by hits like "Rising Star," enabling partners to create high-engagement formats at low risk.[1]
• Proven Scalability with Broadcasters: Works with over 30 top global broadcasters and producers, delivering formats and digital assets that become portfolio staples.[2]
• Cross-Media Product Suite: Offers technology, strategy, and platforms tailored for the industry, standing at the crossroads of legacy TV and startups to drive innovation.[1]
• Early Funding and Revenue Momentum: Secured $5M Series A from Marker in 2014, sustaining operations with ~$6M revenue and a lean team of 21.[1][4]

(Note: Search results distinguish Screenz from unrelated AI hiring tools like Screenz.ai; this analysis focuses on the media company.[3])

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Screenz rides the trend of converging traditional media with digital interactivity, capitalizing on the shift from passive TV viewing to multi-screen engagement during the early 2010s mobile and social media boom.[1] Timing was ideal post-2013, as broadcasters sought ways to retain audiences amid cord-cutting and smartphone proliferation, with Screenz's solutions like "Rising Star" exemplifying successful second-screen monetization.[1] Market forces favoring it include Israel's startup-media nexus, global demand for interactive formats, and investor interest in hybrid media tech, as evidenced by Marker-led funding.[1] It influences the ecosystem by providing broadcasters with scalable digital assets, bridging old and new media to foster hybrid content models still relevant in streaming eras.[2]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Screenz is poised to evolve its cross-media expertise toward modern streaming and interactive TV platforms, potentially expanding into global formats amid rising demand for AI-enhanced viewer engagement. Trends like short-form video, live interactivity, and Web3 media experiments could amplify its role, building on its foundational successes.[1] Its influence may grow by partnering with streaming giants, leveraging its proven track record to navigate a fragmented media landscape—echoing its mission to reinvent traditional media at the TV-startup crossroads.[1]