Pay-TV provider, Foxtel, has shocked market watchers by announcing the integration of ABC’s iview video streaming content within its iQ3 and iQ4 set-top box platform.
The news follows previous reports ABC was looking to end its existing $4 million deal with Foxtel amid cost-cutting measures.
ABC’s iview is scheduled to integrate within iQ3 and iQ4 set-top boxes around November, alongside SBS’ On Demand and streaming behemoth, Netflix.
To the surprise of some, Foxtel and ABC have expanded their arrangement, with similar deals etched with the likes of Seven, Nine and Ten.
“We are very pleased to be expanding our relationship with the ABC,” asserts Foxtel CEO, Patrick Delaney.
“It will see us extend the audience reach Foxtel has historically provided the ABC with the availability of both live channels and on demand content with the integration of the iview app into the New Foxtel Experience.”
“This will see ABC iview available in more than 1.2 million Australian homes with the iQ3 or iQ4 in November, alongside Netflix and the SBS On Demand app.”
Whilst commercial terms have not been released, commentator opinion suggests some distribution savings.
ABC Managing Director, David Anderson, asserts iview continues to be “the leading leading free-to-air VOD service.”
“It is great that iview will now be available directly through Foxtel, making it easier for subscribers to watch even more fantastic Australian content.”
ABC’s iview app on Foxtel will offer catch-up content including the likes of; Gruen, Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds and Glitch, ABC Kids and live streams to its television network.
