Foxtel Group has announced a multi-year partnership with international content giant NBCUniversal (NBCU).
The deal will give Foxtel and its streaming services, including Binge, access to movies, drama, comedy, reality, news and more, including premiere Australian rights for Universal Pictures and Peacock original movies, such as the franchises of “Fast and Furious”, “Jurassic Park” and “Despicable Me”, as well as forthcoming theatrical releases “Fast X”, “Ticket to Paradise” and “Oppenheimer”.
Foxtel will also become the exclusive rights holder for premium, first-run scripted series from Sky Studios, Universal International Studios, and USG-produced series for Peacock, NBCU’s streaming service. In addition, NBCU’s extensive library of network television including “The Office”, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”, “30 Rock” and “Parks and Recreation” will be encapsulated in the deal, as will TV dramas such as “Law and Order” and “Chicago”, and family and kids content from the DreamWorks channel.
Foxtel and its news streaming service, Flash, will also add MSNBC to its offering, and NBC News Now will become available on Flash.
The pre-existing Bravo content rights agreement between Foxtel Group and NBCU will mean franchises including “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”, “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles” and “Below Deck Mediterranean” will broadcast on Foxtel TV channel Fox Arena as well as being available on-demand on both Foxtel and Binge.
The deal comes off the back of free-to-air (FTA) broadcaster, the Seven Network, announcing a similar multi-year partnership with NBCU, which also includes the launch of FTA channel 7Bravo.
Amanda Laing, Foxtel Group’s chief content and commercial officer, said: “We have a long shared history with NBCU of bringing iconic entertainment to millions of Australians.
“We are pleased to extend our strong relationship with NBCU, securing their amazing range of acclaimed films and television, and much-loved channels. This partnership guarantees that Foxtel retains the content that our subscribers love, and Binge can continue to deliver strong growth, with yet more premium television from Sky Studios, Universal International Studios and Peacock. The deal confirms that while major content suppliers have a growing number of partnership options in Australia, the Foxtel Group remains a key partner of choice.”
Chris Taylor, the managing director of NBCU International Networks and Direct-to-Consumer and Distribution for Australia and New Zealand, added: “We are thrilled to continue bringing Foxtel Group subscribers an amazing breadth of NBCUniversal’s top content and much-loved channel brands via our ongoing, successful relationship.”