Seven Network has been investing heavily in its different business units: traditional and digital TV, with 7Plus as its vertical focused on streaming. The company recently announced a major multi-year deal with NBCUniversal (NBCU), which includes a new free-to-air channel, 7Bravo, launching in January and focused on women’s content.
In addition, the network will use this deal to add even more specialist live channels to its line-up of about 40 TV channels on 7plus.
Also new is that it will premiere a series of NBCU films, in the scripted drama and comedy genres, which will premiere on channels associated with the Seven Network and 7Plus in the coming years.
The NBCU deal include the titles Quantum deal and Lopez vs. Lopez, which will premiere on Channel 7 next year, as well as The Endgame, which will be shown on 7Plus. It also includes films like F9, The Boss Baby: Family Business and Spirit Untamed.
‘NBCUniversal is a global content powerhouse and the creator of some of the world’s best-known and most beloved entertainment brands, across film and television’, said James Warburton, CEO of Seven Network. ‘We can’t wait to bring much more to Seven and 7Plus audiences’.
Likewise, the media group reported that with this agreement they will remain firm in their commitment to FAST channels within 7Plus in the axe of its offer.
Among FAST channels include one focused on reality Big Brother, with 24h non-stop content, another dedicated to classic Australian drama Blue Heelers and another one that broadcast My Kitchen Rules all day long. In addition, there’s one dedicated to A Country Practice.
Will Everitt, Director Product Solutions at Seven West Media: ‘We want to give our audience the ability to have the content they want at the time they want’. The executive, who leads the strategies of the Seven Group‘s digital assets, assured that they plan to continue strengthening their line up of FAST channels, and improving their 7Plus platform.
Angus Ross, Seven‘s director of entertainment programming content, echoed this sentiment, saying that NBCU has a remarkable content pipeline.
These FAST channels compete with almost 20 Ad-supported-channels from SBS, ABC, Nine and Ten, regarding viewing time in Australia. At the same time, 7Plus competes with the majors Netflix or Disney+, among other streaming players in the digital field, like YouTube.
‘When you talk about scheduling -specialty channels-, there’s actually really good automation to make it happen. I think it all goes back to that point where people are sick of looking’, concludes Seven West Media‘s Chief Executive James Warburton.
