ESG at Rakuten TV: Responsible & Sustainable Streaming
Sustainability reports are on the rise. As more companies increase their sustainability data management, we are seeing a rise in publicly available reporting. Not only is this a great way to engage employees, customers and stakeholders with sustainability efforts, it also holds the company accountable for its goals.
Newly joining these ranks is Rakuten TV, one of Europe’s leading streaming platforms, which has released its first sustainability report.
The data shows the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability, diversity, inclusion and good governance. As the streaming industry faces increasing scrutiny over its environmental and social impact, Rakuten TV is taking new steps towards a more sustainable future.
“We’re proud of the steps we’ve taken in reducing our carbon footprint and fostering greater diversity and inclusivity within the company,” says Cédric Dufour, CEO of Rakuten TV.
“While our primary goal is to entertain people, we believe this should be achieved through responsibly made content that reflects the diversity of our world and encourages sustainable positive change.”
Meet Rakuten TV
Rakuten TV is part of Rakuten Group, Inc., a global technology leader. As one of the leading streaming platforms in Europe, Rakuten TV features more than 10,000 titles available on-demand, including films, documentaries and series from Hollywood and local studios, as well as the catalogue with Original and Exclusive content.
The advertisement supporting service consists of an extensive line-up of over 500 unique channels among which 100 Owned & Operated (O&O) across Europe, including free linear channels from global networks, top European broadcasters and media groups, and the platform’s own thematic channels with curated content.
Rakuten TV is available in 43 European territories and currently reaches more than 150 million households via its branded remote-control button and pre-installed app in Smart TV devices.
What are the report highlights?
Environmental achievements include a 69.4% reduction in CO2 emissions, achieved thanks to major achievement in energy efficiency at data centres.
Looking to the social part of ESG, Rakuten TV has a positive impact both internally and externally. Internally, the company’s diversity and inclusion strategy spans across recruitment, promotion, training and business at large.
Externally, Rakuten TV donates part of its advertising inventory to support NGOs working in social impact through the campaign “AVOD for impact”.
Responsibility in the media
Rakuten TV creates its own content, known as Rakuten TV Originals. Distributed for free, these documentaries, films and programmes bring something beneficial to its audience. This content brings focus to stories with topics including gender equality, mental health, environmental sustainability, social inclusion and inspiring profiles of people who have made a difference in highly stigmatized areas.
Representation is something that Rakuten TV believes it has a responsibility to promote, partly by hand selecting the content that is available on its streaming services, and partly by creating Rakuten TV Originals that brings these stories to the forefront.
A sustainable future
The next step for Rakuten TV is having its sustainability goals approved by the SBTi – the company is currently working on a decarbonisation plan with SBTi, so the future seems promising.
This is, of course, alongside continuing the initiatives that are proving so successful currently.
“As one of Europe's leading streaming platforms, we believe it is essential for creators and distributors of entertainment to represent reality in a complete, inclusive and accurate way, while minimizing their impact on the environment and promoting a culture of sustainability,” says Fabiana Cumia, ESG and PR Director at Rakuten TV.
“Although there is still much to do, we are committed to advancing values that align with our vision and mission to provide quality and sustainable entertainment.”
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