Announced at the China Esports Conference (GEC) in Shanghai, ActiveVoices is being billed as a first-of-its-kind AI platform, empowering creators with features like instant translation, dubbing, and multi-platform publishing across YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and Instagram. At launch, the platform features support for more than a dozen languages, including English, Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi, Indonesian, and Arabic, enabling creators to overcome language barriers to expand their global audience reach and revenue opportunities without incurring additional production costs.

“AI can either centralize control or empower people. ActiveVoices is built entirely around creator empowerment,” said Adam Adamou, Co-Founder and CEO of OverActive Media, in a company announcement. “With one click, creators can authentically engage new audiences in Madrid, Riyadh, Shanghai and beyond, amplifying their original voices rather than manufacturing new ones. ActiveVoices ensures creators retain complete control of their content and identity while effortlessly unlocking global fanbases and revenue opportunities.”

“ActiveVoices is more than a product; it’s a strategic growth engine for OverActive,” he added. “By combining high-margin SaaS revenue with our owned distribution and creator network, we’re building scalable digital infrastructure that transforms our audience reach into long-term commercial value. This marks a pivotal step in OverActive’s evolution, expanding our business into a global media and technology platform.”

OverActive, which went public in 2021 and is traded on the TSX, is best known for its ownership of esports teams, including its Toronto-based Call of Duty League franchise, Toronto Ultra.

The company, which Bell Media acquired a minority stake in in 2019, says it’s uniquely positioned to scale ActiveVoices by leveraging its direct digital reach with its global fan base, boasting more than 1 million followers across Toronto Ultra’s channels alone. The platform will debut with a pilot program branded KOI Voices, offered initially to partners and its creator network under its Spanish pro esports organization, Movistar KOI, and the Toronto Ultra brand, with additional partners to be invited in the coming months. Following the pilot, ActiveVoices will officially launch as a commercial SaaS product for esports teams, agencies, and creator networks.

OverActive has partnered with multimedia translation company, Aview, to support infrastructure and tech development.

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The levy, which applies to foreign-owned streamers generating $25 million or more in annual revenue, requires that 5% of annual revenue be directed to a mix of funding bodies like the Canadian Starmaker Fund, MusicAction, FACTOR, Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC), a fund to support commercial radio news production outside of Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa-Gatineau, and the Indigenous Music Office.

Music Canada, which represents the interests of companies that record, manufacture, produce, and distribute music in Canada, says the policy risks investment from music streaming platforms in programs and initiatives that promote Canadian music. It’s asking the court to consider music streaming services’ direct investments in Canada among qualifying contributions.

“As the voice of commercial music in Canada, we are concerned that the CRTC’s base contributions decision risks harming ongoing and direct investments in the Canadian music streaming market and Canadian and Indigenous artists,” Music Canada stated in a release earlier this week. “Supporting the success of Canadian and Indigenous artists must be at the centre of the CRTC’s policies, but its decision does not do that.”

The organization says the CRTC’s contributions decision risks outcomes counter to the aims of the updated Broadcasting Act, including not taking into account investment made by music streaming services in Canada like supporting festivals and other programs promoting artist development.

“Moreover, 30% of platform contributions will be siphoned away from the music industry to fund commercial radio news,” Music Canada stated. “While support for news is a laudable goal, it should not come at the expense of artists who are already trying to compete in a highly competitive, global music marketplace.”

“We have sought leave to intervene because we believe Music Canada is uniquely positioned to share with the Court the important role that these investments play in the Canada’s commercial music industry and the harms artists will face if they are reduced or eliminated.”

Spotify, Apple and Amazon launched legal challenges against the streaming levy last July, with the Motion Picture Association Canada also initiating proceedings on behalf of its streaming service members, including Disney+, Paramount+ and Netflix. Projected to cost those streamers in the neighbourhood of $1.25 million each, the levy has been paused until the court process is concluded.

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Initially launched last year with 100 Pixellot AI cameras, the online platform encourages young athletes across hockey, volleyball, football, soccer, basketball, field lacrosse and rugby to share highlights and full-game live broadcasts.

Since its launch, the platform has streamed more than 1,600 games, earning more than a quarter of a million views. CBC/Radio-Canada has now expanded its partnership to encompass more national and regional sports federations and leagues, including Alberta Basketball, Ontario Basketball, Ontario Volleyball Association, and Rugby Canada.

With the number of cameras across the country now numbering 300, the public broadcaster says the platform is intended to provide athletes – including those in remote areas – with the opportunity to garner attention from scouts, connect with other sports enthusiasts, and inspire their peers.

“We’re proud to partner with Pixellot to deliver a top-tier national streaming destination that gives Canada’s young athletes and future stars the opportunity to showcase their talents,” said Chris Wilson, Executive Director, Sports & Olympics, in a CBC announcement. “Our commitment is to connect with local communities and expand opportunities for athletes at every level of competition. This new initiative embodies our mission to make sports accessible to all.”

Among the organizations receiving cameras under the newly-announced expansion is the Ligue de Hockey d’Excellence du Québec (LHEQ).

“This partnership with CBC/Radio-Canada and Pixellot will provide exciting new opportunities for our athletes, allowing them to showcase their talent on a national stage and inspire the next generation of players,” said Katerine Aubry-Hébert, Coordinator of Women’s Excellence Program at Hockey Québec.

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