Foxtel is buying out Seven West Media’s interests in Presto TV, with Presto to be integrated into Foxtel Play streaming service.
The change will see Presto cease operating on 3 January 2017 and, from December this year, Presto customers will be able to access the new-look Foxtel Play product.
Under the deal, Presto and Foxtel Play subscribers will have exclusive Australian access to two new Home and Away specials to be released this summer.
Foxtel says the production of these Home and Away specials underlines the “ongoing partnership between Foxtel and Seven West Media on content production for new consumer services”.
{loadposition peter}Peter Tonagh, Foxtel chief executive, says, “It has been great working with the team at Seven on Presto and we look forward to future collaborations. We are delighted to be able to offer Presto subscribers access to the new look Foxtel Play, which we know will be highly attractive to them."
Tim Worner, chief executive and managing director, Seven West Media, said the company looked forward to continuing to work closely with Foxtel, “in particular in the creation of new programming content”.
Foxtel has confirmed its new look Foxtel Play streaming service includes low prices and flexible packages giving consumers greater choice and ease of access to premium content, without the need to sign up to a fixed term contract.
Tonagh says with the revamp, Foxtel Play will be a “simpler, cheaper and more flexible IP delivered product, which will create much better value for Australian consumers”.
“It is the logical step for us to take in the evolution of Foxtel’s service. The new offering will mirror the successful launch of HBO Now in the US and Now TV by Sky in the UK.
“Customers who use an IP connection, with their own device and bandwidth, will have access to this great new offering. Consumers will be able to sign up by downloading the app to their eligible connected TV, laptop, PC or games console.”
Foxtel says the new service will have five different entry level tiers to match viewers’ interests including drama and entertainment packs priced at $15 per month each or $25 for both and, for $10 per month, there will be one option for Lifestyle, one for documentary and one for kids.
In addition, Foxtel is offering the Sports tier for an extra $25 per month and the movies tier for an additional $20 per month, which the pay TV operator says effectively reduces the cost of sport to $35 per month.
From December, existing Foxtel Play customers will be transferred to the new pricing, with the package that best aligns with their existing service.