Presto


Price cuts boost Foxtel as Netflix surges

Price cuts introduced ahead of Netflix’s Australian launch earlier this year have helped Foxtel increase its subs base to a record level. The News Corp and Telstra-backed pay TV operator reported strong subscriber numbers as profit decreased on the back of its November price cuts. These were introduced ahead of Netflix’s Australian roll out in […]

Quickflix plots China deal to create global streamer

Struggling Australian SVOD platform Quickflix is planning to acquire an unnamed Chinese content company. The non-binding memorandum of understanding announced to the Australia Securities Exchange on Wednesday is part of a plan to turn around the fortunes of the streaming company. Quickflix said it would combine its assets with the Shanghai-based company to “form a […]

Netflix drives Oz SVOD to 2m

There are now two million SVOD subs in Australia, with the launches of new service Netflix, Stan and Presto driving huge growth, according to new research. Australia-based tech analysis and research firm Telstye compiled the figures, reporting the two million active SVOD subs as of end-June. That compared with 315,000 at end-2014. Telstye added that […]

Aussie SVOD platform adds BBC docs

Australian on-demand platform Presto has acquired several documentaries from BBC Worldwide’s local Australasian arm. The 100-hour agreement with BBCWW Australia & New Zealand includes Brazil with Michael Palin, Michael Palin’s New Europe, Stephen Fry and the Great American Oil Spill, Fry’s Planet World and 18 Louis Theroux titles such as The Most Hated Family in […]

Netflix undercuts the competition in Australia

Netflix launches in Australia tomorrow and in a fiercely competitive market has come in at a price-point below that of its rivals. The US-listed SVOD service is priced at A$8.99 a month (US$6.99) for the single user standard definition plan. A dual user sub is A$11.99 and the four-user 4K package is A$14.99. The base […]

Netflix ‘working up Zelda series, Ten deal’

Netflix is reportedly developing a series based on the popular Legend of Zelda video games, and working on a content and marketing partnership with Australia’s Network Ten. According to The Wall Street Journal, early stage development has begun on a live-action series based on the Zelda series. This would see a young boy, Link, rescuing […]

DHX sells thousands of hours to SVOD

DHX Media has shopped 5,000 half hours to various international SVOD platforms. The Canadian kids producer and distributor has shopped 2,800 hours to Shomi, the SVOD service backed by cable companies Shaw and Rogers that launched late last year. DHX shows including Caillou, Johnny Test and Super Why! are now on the platform. UK-produced preschool hit […]

Sony poaches exec for Oz sales

Greg Sneddon is replacing Mark Young as Sony Pictures Television’s senior VP, distribution in Australia and New Zealand. This comes after SPT moved Young across to become senior VP, distribution for UK, Africa and Ireland to replace Kyle Munnich, who joined Sky Vision’s drama team. Sneddon comes to Sony from Australian distributor Roadshow Entertainment, where […]

Stan nabs Amazon series, launches ahead of Netflix

Stan has become the latest subscription video-on-demand service to roll out in Australia, beating streaming heavyweight Netflix, which will launch in the territory later this year. The new service is a joint venture between free-to-air broadcaster Nine Network and Fairfax Media. At launch its programming line-up included several series from Amazon, including Transparent and Mozart […]

HBO, Showtime deals for Presto as Stan taps ABC

Australian on-demand services Presto and Stan have both scored new programming deals. The deals come as Australia’s on-demand market adapts to a number of new services launching in the territory in recent months, and ahead of the upcoming launch of Netflix. Presto’s deals hand the Foxtel-owned SVOD service HBO programming including The Sopranos, Entourage, The […]