Foxtel makes big hires as news streaming service draws closer
Former news.com.au editor-in-chief Kate de Brito has been tapped by Foxtel to lead work on a news streaming service, set to be called NewsFlash.
NewsFlash, which is expected to launch in Q4 this year, will become Foxtel’s third SVOD product developed by streaming division Streamotion. It will join Kayo and Binge.
A spokesperson for Foxtel confirmed that de Brito’s move and added that she’ll be joined by James Law, who runs News Corps newswire offering.
“The Foxtel Group is examining a news streaming service, and Kate De Brito is working on the business case for the service and other necessary planning in the event the project proceeds,” the spokesperson said.
“James Law will be joining Kate on the project.”
Multiple reports suggest NewsFlash will give subscribers access to live and on-demand news and opinion from Sky News Australia, while there have been suggestions it could also feature programming from Fox News and CNN.
De Brito finished up at news.com.au at the end of 2020 after a four-year stint. Prior to that, she served as editor-in-chief at Mamamia.
Earlier this year, Foxtel Media CEO Mark Frain told Mumbrella that falling linear audience “doesn’t keep me up at night,” following Foxtel Media’s start-of-year showcase.
At the showcase, Foxtel Media unveiled audience targeting across SVOD streaming including Kayo.
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Zanda Wilson was a reporter and podcast producer at Mumbrella, specialising in radio reporting. He left Mumbrella in September 2021.
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