Fetch TV still open to Stan tie-up after signing deal to carry Netflix locally
Lorson
Fetch TV has confirmed a deal with Netflix that will see the subscription TV platform and its telco partners Optus, iiNet and Dodo, back the US video streaming giant as part of a looming marketing blitz that will coincide with an upcoming Australian launch of the service next month.
The deal, first mooted by Mumbrella back in November, will mean Netflix will be supported on Fetch TV’s box, giving its 170,000 customers access to the streaming service through their TVs.
Fetch CEO Scott Lorson told Mumbrella he would still be open to a similar deal with Nine Entertainment Co and Fairfax Media’s joint venture Stan, but made it clear that Netflix would be its marketing priority.
“We see Netflix as a clear front runner in the SVOD space,” Lorson told Mumbrella. “This deal has been our priority and Fetch TV and our partners will certainly be supporting them at launch.
“We don’t rule out other deals down the track and we enjoy strong relationships with many parties but our current focus is on Netflix.”
At this stage it is unclear whether the deal will mean ISPs iiNet and Optus choose not to meter Netflix content, but Lorson made it clear that from a marketing side he expected them to use the deal heavily in the looming marketing war.
“Clearly Netflix has their own plans,” he said. “But we will be promoting them heavily as well and we expect they will be strongly supported by our ISP partners in their marketing as well.”
Lorson today trumpeted the deal and argued that it was an important “tipping point” for the Fetch TV business, which is owned by Malaysian company Astro All Asia Networks.
Asked to speculate about what the new deal may do for Fetch’s subscriber numbers Lorson was coy but said he expected to see strong further growth off the back of major marketing pushes by the telcos using Netflix/Fetch TV as a hero offer to help drive their bundled offers.
“As a wholesaler we are only as good as our partners,” he said. “We expect to continue to see record results and the aspirations for the business are now being realised.”
Netflix is expected to launch in March with the US online streaming giant rumoured to have up to a $30m marketing war chest.
The partnership between Netflix and Fetch TV also includes the New Zealand market to accommodate planned expansion by Fetch TV.
Stan declined to comment on whether it would be open to joining Fetch TV.
Nic Christensen
