March 31, 2023

New Caribbean Streaming Platform Sashi Launches Worldwide

Sashi Entertainment Network (Sashi) is the new streaming platform that’s set to become the go-to destination for Caribbean-focused content.

Launching in over 177 countries, including the US and Canada, the mobile and television streaming platform aims to keep the diaspora connected to the pulse of the Caribbean.

Sashi is the latest offering from Sashi Entertainment, the multimedia company behind the Sashi Experience which has hosted some of the biggest names in music since 1999, including Usher, Missy Elliot, and Super Cat.

Now, with the launch of Sashi, the multimedia company is expanding its horizons to bring the best of Caribbean culture to a global audience.

One-stop-shop for all things Caribbean

Featuring content from Caribbean filmmakers, creators, and artists, as well as emerging talent, the growing library is packed with a variety of curated featured sections. From movies and documentaries to music videos, lifestyle, and travel, Sashi aims to be the one-stop-shop for all things Caribbean.

According to a press release, the streaming platform is available on Apple devices, including iPhone and iPad, as well as Google platforms and devices, including Android and Chromecast. Android TV devices are set to be released later in the year.

The platform’s co-founders and co-CEOs are Horatio Hamilton, Sashi Entertainment founder and music executive, and Lexi Chow, entrepreneur and brand architect.

In a statement, Chow explained, “The media industry is experiencing a transformation with deepening demands for a cultural connection. The growth of OTT networks and mobile apps has also increased demand for niche content and the need for a singular place for Caribbean-centric content.”

Connecting the diaspora

With an estimated 9.1 million Caribbean people living outside of their native countries, as well as a growing number of cultural enthusiasts worldwide, the platform is projected to have over 1.1 million subscribers by the end of 2022.

In the US alone, more than 8.5 million people were either born in a Caribbean country or report Caribbean ancestry.

As Hamilton puts it, “Reggae has always been at the helm of Caribbean culture globally, and now we can bring a sense of identity across the diaspora. We want to provide a platform that magnifies the beauty, diversity, and inclusivity of our culture.”

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To achieve this goal, Sashi has partnered with filmmaker, director, and writer Cess Silvera, best known for his work on Shottas. Silvera will be developing three original projects exclusively for the platform, adding to the already impressive slate of content.

“Creatives like me will have an authentic voice and home where the narrative of our stories will be controlled by us and not some outside source.”

“Sashi is gearing up to revolutionize the entertainment and content space,” said Silvera. “Creatives like me will have an authentic voice and home where the narrative of our stories will be controlled by us and not some outside source.”

“With several projects in the pipeline, I’m very excited for what the future holds for Sashi as a global player in media and entertainment.”

Samara Linton

Community Manager at POCIT | Co-editor of The Colour of Madness: Mental Health and Race in Technicolour (2022), and co-author of Diane Abbott: The Authorised Biography (2020)