Netflix strikes Norway pay TV deal

Norway-based Telenor Group has agreed a long-term partnership with Netflix that will see it integrate the SVOD service into its set-top boxes.

The deal will establish Telenor as the first TV distributor in Norway to integrate Netflix into its set-top box for Canal Digital Cable customers via the T-We platform.

Telenor described the deal as the “first step into a new TV era” for its customers and said that more set-top box integrations in further markets would follow.

The Norwegian telco said the deal with Netflix covers its mobile and fixed-line footprint in Europe and Asia and includes “multiple touchpoints with customers” – including mobile payments, joint marketing activities and STB integration.

“Our aim is to provide the best and most relevant digital services to our large global footprint and partnering with the world’s largest internet TV network is one big step towards this,” said Telenor Group CMO, Gunnar Sellæg.

“In addition to offering seamless entertainment on the mobile and set-top boxes through our large footprint in mobile-first countries in Asia, we can now enable customers to experience Netflix for the very first time through facilitating easy subscription payments via their mobile bill.”

Bill Holmes, global head of business development at Netflix said: “With this global partnership and thanks to more than 1,000 hours of new original Netflix content slated for 2017, Telenor’s customers will be able to seamlessly access and enjoy all the best entertainment in one place.”

Telenor claims to hold a leading Nordic position in mobile, broadband and TV services and has mobile operations in 13 countries: Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Hungary, Montenegro, Serbia, Bulgaria, Pakistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia and India.