Hyperlocal Streaming Service SBTV Acquires Exclusive Streaming Rights to Film Short Backlash Starring Joel Murray and Eliza Murray

With Arts and Film Festivals Shuttering Across the Country, SBTV Provides National Platform for Local Filmmakers to Showcase New Works While Also Helping Build Up Its Original Program Offerings

Syncbak, the world’s leading platform for live local OTT, has acquired the exclusive streaming rights to Backlash, a short film starring Joel Murray (Mad Men, Dharma & Greg), Eliza Murray (Curb Your Enthusiasm), and Molly Brown (Law & Order SVU, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel).  Backlash was originally planned to debut online and gain traction at local arts and film festivals in Iowa where the filmmakers hail, but those plans were shuttered as the events are currently on hold due to the pandemic. Syncbak CEO Jack Perry, an Iowan himself, became aware of the film and saw a natural fit for the SBTV platform as it tied to the mission of connecting content owners to viewers and advertisers, giving both regional and national attention to interesting hyperlocal events.  SBTV’s first original film offering, Backlash  adds a new layer to SBTV’s originals that also include the business news show  Business First A.M. andfood culture show food.curated.

Backlash is set against the bleak backdrop of a midwestern winter in 1987.  The film opens with an entire family, with exception of one member, left for dead.  Backlash explores the root of their demise, environmental themes, and the karmic cycle of retribution. Directed by Max Moore, written by Max Moore and Jonathan Graf, and produced by Mia Reggi, the film will debut on SBTV this week at sbtv.com/backlash.

Jack Perry, CEO of Syncbak, said, “The moment we saw Backlash we knew we wanted to carry it on SBTV. In addition to great local programming, viewers can watch live and on-demand news from over 200 local stations across the nation, anywhere they are from any device.    It has been incredibly meaningful to bring this film to SBTV and support work that might not otherwise have had the opportunity to be seen by as many viewers nationally.  We will continue to look for other festival and cultural programming that furthers our vision of giving national attention to hyperlocal events and local artists’ works.”

 Max Moore, Director of Backlash, said “I was thrilled when Syncbak reached out to us. Carriage of our film on SBTV allows us to reach an audience we otherwise would not have had an opportunity to reach. We’re looking forward to carrying more of our locally produced films on the platform.”

SBTV is part of Syncbak, which was started by one of the foremost media technology trailblazers of his generation, Jack Perry, with backing by major investors like ViacomCBS, Gray Television, Northwest Broadcasting, Morgan Murphy Media, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and Consumer Technology Association (CTA).  SBTV features content from more than 200 local broadcast stations across the country.  Carriage on SBTV is free for local stations, and free for viewers to watch.  The service also not only provides stations with national exposure for their reporting, but also a pipeline for additional advertising revenue which is even more critical in this moment where funding for local media continues to dry up.  SBTV is  available via web browser, the SBTV app on the App Store and Google Play, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Roku.