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Tag: Foxtel

  • Streamer Dazn acquires Australian Foxtel group from News Corp & Telstra for A$3.4 bn

    Streamer Dazn acquires Australian Foxtel group from News Corp & Telstra for A$3.4 bn

    MUMBAI: It’s a deal that’s happening  down under but it’s given streaming platform Dazn group an upper hand as it continues its march towards spreading its wings even further globally. News Corp and Telstra owners of the Foxtel group– once a prized pay TV operator in Australia now turned streamer – have agreed to sell it to the Dazn group in a deal that values it at A$3.4 billion, including debt. Dazn is a  privately-held global streamer owned by British-Ukrainian billionaire Len Blavatnik.

    Under the terms of the agreement, Dazn will pay News Corp’s loans to the tune  of $578 million in cash on account of Foxtel, give it a board seat and a six per cent shareholding in the acquiring company. 35 per cent Foxtel owner Telstra’s debt of A$128 million too will be repaid and it will end up with a three per cent minority interest in Dazn. Foxtel’s existing debt will be refinanced by Dazn when the deal closes. 

    Founded in 2016, Dazn has more than 3,000 employees and reported a top line of $3.2bn in 2023, having grown its annual revenues by over 50  per cent on average from 2020 to 2023, through diverse revenue streams comprising subscriptions, advertising, sponsorship, and transactional video on demand. It has more than 300 million viewers across 200 markets. Dazn streams over 90,000 live events annually and is the home of European football, women’s football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL internationally. The platform features sports and leagues from around the world including Bundesliga, Serie A, LALIGA, Ligue 1, Formula 1, NBA, Moto GP, and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

    A press release mentioned that the agreement follows a strategic and financial review of Foxtel as part of its  ongoing efforts to optimise its portfolio and simplify its corporate structure. With Dazn’s global reach, industry leading technology and broad content portfolio, the proposed transaction enhances Foxtel’s position as a digital-first, streaming-focused business, led by the current CEO, Patrick Delany, and his management team. The Foxtel group includes the Foxtel, Hubbl, Flash, Kayo Sports and Binge streaming brands along with Fox Sports and Foxtel Media. Foxtel has 4.7 million streaming subscribers

    The transaction, which is expected to close in the second half of fiscal 2025, is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. For News Corp financial reporting purposes, Foxtel will be classified as discontinued operations as of the second quarter of fiscal 2025. 

    “This agreement is a victory for News Corp shareholders, Dazn, and sport fans in Australia and around the world,” said News Corp chief executive Robert Thomson. “Foxtel has been transformed into a genuine digital and streaming leader in Australia, and we believe Dazn is the right owner to take the business to the next level with their technological capabilities, global footprint and compelling sports rights. This transaction also allows News Corp to focus on our other growth pillars of Dow Jones, digital real estate and book publishing, while benefiting from repayment of our shareholder loans and an improved credit profile. We are proud to be a long-term partner of Dazn and its talented team.”

    Dazn chief executive officer Shay Segev said: “Australians watch more sport than any other country in the world, which makes this deal an incredibly exciting opportunity for Dazn to enter a key market, marking another step in our long-term strategy to become the global home of sport. Foxtel is a successful business that has undergone a remarkable digital transformation in recent years, and we are confident that our global reach and relentless pursuit of innovation will continue to drive the business forward and ensure long-term success. 
    “We are committed to supporting and investing in Foxtel’s television and streaming services, across both sports and entertainment, using our world-leading technology to further enhance the viewing experience for customers. We are also committed to using our global reach to export Australia’s most popular sports to new markets around the world, and we will continue to promote women’s and under-represented sports. 

    “We’re looking forward to working closely with Patrick Delany and his team, as well as News Corp and Telstra as shareholders in DAZN, to realise our ambitious vision for the future of sport entertainment.” 

    Foxtel chairman Siobhan McKenna, said the agreement with DAZN was international recognition of the transformation of Foxtel from an incumbent pay TV operator to a sports and entertainment digital and streaming leader. “Over the last seven years the Foxtel team, with the strong support of News, have achieved an extraordinary turnaround in an intensely competitive environment.” 

    Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany said: “News Corp’s unwavering support and guidance has seen Foxtel successfully reinvent itself into a dynamic, streaming-led business delivering strong financial performance. We are excited to embark on the next chapter with Dazn, a premier global sports streaming provider, as our new shareholder. Dazn’s backing will enhance our strategy needed, provide access to their global reach, and strengthen the infrastructure and technology to accelerate our transformation. Most importantly, we will continue to be a proudly Australian-based business, led by local management, committed to delivering locally-produced sports and entertainment content for our audiences.” 
     

  • Foxtel to launch streaming service on 25 May

    Foxtel to launch streaming service on 25 May

    MUMBAI: Australian pay TV company Foxtel will launch a new entertainment streaming service on 25 May, entering the crowded streaming market.

    The official announcement has ended all speculations regarding the launch that have been doing the rounds.

    The next-generation streaming service, which will offer more than 10,000 hours of content including movies and dramas, will be competing with giants like Netflix, Amazon and Disney+.

    Though there has not been any official announcement of the name, Foxtel had recently registered ‘Binge’ brand name and logo trademarks.

    It is still not known the kind of subscription model the new streaming service will adopt. Media reports say it could be similar to that of Kayo, Foxtel’s sports streaming platform, which works on a monthly subscription free model.

    The platform will be hosting content from Sony, BBC Warner Bros, and HBO Max. Over the last one-and-half years, Foxtel has been renegotiating content deals with studios to get SVOD rights for the new streaming service.

    “There has been a lot of speculation about our new streaming service and its name, and we are pleased to finally be ready for the big reveal to Australia next week,” says Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany.

    He termed the streaming service as Foxtel’s ‘growth engine’. The purpose of the new OTT, he said, will be to target consumers who seek to consume the premium content offered by the company.

    “We have been beta-testing the service for a few weeks and we are sure Australians will love everything about it. It brings an exciting new brand to younger streaming audiences with a very different and compelling product experience, and a distinctly curated mix of the best drama and movies from the world’s best entertainment brands,” he added.

    He said that the launch will be another milestone in the Foxtel Group’s strategy to transform itself and bring its unparalleled catalogue of entertainment and sports to even more viewers in Australia. “Our goal is to consolidate our position as Australia’s preeminent subscription television and streaming provider,” he said.

    Foxtel’s subscription television service has 2.5 million customers, providing premium experience – the best of television and on-demand services.

  • Sports media revenues to grow at 7 per cent CAGR IN 11 APAC markets over 2019-2024 to reach $7.2 bn

    Sports media revenues to grow at 7 per cent CAGR IN 11 APAC markets over 2019-2024 to reach $7.2 bn

    MUMBAI: Sports rights costs across 11 Asia Pacific markets grew 2.4 per cent in 2019 to reach $5.5 billion. in aggregate while sports revenues across TV & online video increased 7.8 per cent in 2019 to reach $5.2 billion in total, according to a new report published today by Media Partners Asia (MPA). MPA projections indicate sports rights costs will grow 3.8 per cent CAGR between 2019-24 to reach $6.6 billion by 2024 while sports revenues in TV & online video will grow at a 6.7 per cent CAGR to reach $7.2 billion by 2024. The report, entitled ASIA PACIFIC SPORTS MEDIA 2020, tracks the growth trajectory of sports rights and TV & online video sports revenues across 11 markets in Asia Pacific with historical data & projections as well as analysis of key players & sports properties by geography.

    OTT accounted for 21 per cent of sports media revenue generation in 2019 in the 11 Asia Pacific markets. This is likely to almost double over the next five years to reach 40 per cent by 2024. Excluding China, OTT will account for 23 per cent of sports media monetisation in 2024 across the measured markets, up from 12 per cent in 2019. The MPA report notes: (1) Sports rights costs & revenues are seasonal and lumpy; major global events typically occur every 2-4 years and can either inflate or adversely impact sports economics on a year on year basis and (2) Global sporting events in 2020 (i.e. the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and UEFA Euro 2020) are a key driver of value in Asia Pacific markets but are subject to risk given the global spread of the coronavirus.

    Commenting on the key findings, MPA Senior Analyst Srivathsan AR said, “The market for premium sports remains relatively healthy in Asia Pacific, in spite of uneven structural dynamics and the corrosive impact of piracy. Sports rights investments in China, India, Australia and Japan are driven by a strong domestic sports ecosystem, supported by premium international rights for football, basketball and baseball. Rights costs in China are driven by growing appetite for domestic and international football as well as basketball. Growth momentum, strong between 2016-19, will stabilise post 2021-22. Cricket continues to drive more 85 per cent of India’s costs. Rationalising of pay-TV spends on domestic rights in Australia will affect the overall market in the future while domestic baseball and football will drive growth in Japan’s sports rights market. Greater Southeast Asia, including Hong Kong, is dependent on growth in international football and basketball. Local football in markets such as Thailand, Indonesia and basketball in Philippines will continue to deliver additional growth.”

    MPA Executive Director Vivek Couto added: “A number of themes are emerging across the region. Investment in premium sports rights is often proving scalable and sustainable, when driven by: (1) Large scale internet players with pole position in a vast digital ecosystem, which helps subsidize investment in premium content (i.e. Tencent in China) or integrated pure play entertainment and sports OTTs with AVOD and SVOD business models (i.e. Hotstar in India and iQiyi in China); (2) Pay-TV operators investing to retain high-ARPU customers and grow a new OTT segment, anchored to product innovation with premium sports at the forefront (i.e. Foxtel, Sky Network TV, Astro and PCCW’s Now TV); and (3) Local & regional TV broadcasters that have a combination of mass reach and premium segmentation with branded sports networks (i.e. Star and Sony in India; select free TV players in Southeast Asia and regional pay network beIN Sports).”

    In 2019, football led the sports rights market across the 11 APAC territories with the Premier League topping the list of individual properties. The Premier League rights value is expected to moderate after 2022, particularly in China. Cricket is growing fast as Indian sports broadcasters continue to pay a premium for the IPL, the ICC and the India international (BCCI) rights. The IPL is the most valued domestic league in APAC currently. Cricket is growing its pie in Australia & New Zealand markets as well. Basketball is growing in demand regionally. Rugby World Cup 2019 drove Rugby’s share.

    China, India, Australia and Japan will contribute on average ~85 per cent to sports rights fees & sports media revenues over 2019-24. Greater Southeast Asia, including Hong Kong, will average ~15 per cent over the 2019-24 period. In terms of sports revenues across TV & online video, Japan led in 2019 with a 27 per cent contribution; by 2024, China will lead with a 33 per cent contribution.

  • Synamedia makes CES debut, offering pay-TV providers frictionless cloud migration strategies, new revenue opportunities

    Synamedia makes CES debut, offering pay-TV providers frictionless cloud migration strategies, new revenue opportunities

    LONDON : Synamedia, the largest independent video software provider, will bring its newest solutions to CES® 2019, illustrating how pay-TV providers can migrate to the cloud at their own pace, and seamlessly.  The company also unveiled new security software that combats the rapid rise in account sharing between friends and families, turning it instead into a new revenue-generating opportunity for operators.

    Synamedia is bringing to market effective solutions built to support customers wherever they are on their journey to deliver a blended broadcast and OTT multi-screen experience. Now an independent business, the company is committed to providing the world’s most complete, secure and advanced end-to-end open video delivery solutions.  Synamedia was formerly Cisco’s (NASDAQ: CSCO) Service Provider Video Software Solutions business. Its enviable portfolio of over 200 pay-TV and media customers includes Astro, Bharti Airtel, China DTH, Foxtel, Oi and Tata Sky.

    At the core of the Synamedia offerings is Foundation (formerly known as Evo), the pay-TV industry’s most widely deployed platform across cable, satellite and IPTV. Additionally, Infinite allows blended broadcast-OTT services to be delivered from a cloud-based infrastructure. With a clearly defined migration roadmap, pay-TV customers using the Foundation hybrid broadcast platform can now deploy Infinite to embark on a smooth and measured transition to the cloud.

    At CES 2019, Synamedia will showcase its leading technologies and latest offerings, including:

    •        Credentials Sharing Insight is a new offering within the video security portfolio. It uses AI, machine learning and behavioral analytics to identify, monitor and analyze credentials sharing activity across consumer accounts. It allows operators to turn casual sharing into incremental revenue, as well as detect and apply enforcement procedures on fraudulent, for-profit credentials sharing accounts.

    •        Video Processing features Synamedia’s patented low-latency ABR and Smart Rate Control that optimize IP video processing to match traditional broadcast quality, reliability and cost – currently major challenges for IP video streaming. Synamedia’s ABR solution uses patented technology to optimize the perceived quality of live streams. It includes machine learning techniques to further adapt the encoding quality target to match content characteristics.   

    •        Foundation which manages and monetizes in-home experiences on a broad range of broadcast and hybrid-IP set top boxes (STBs) and media gateways including Android TV. Deployed by 40+ pay-TV operators, it offers a smooth migration path to Infinite and the cloud.  A prime example of the power of Foundation is a first-of-a-kind integration of the Netflix application on the OSN Network. This integration enables:

    o   Consumers to gain convenient access to OTT content via a single application;
    o   The OTT provider obtains access to the pay-TV service provider market and the existing billing/payment relationship between the customer and pay-TV provider;
    o   The pay-TV operator continues to bring value to consumers via a familiar application, and can generate additional revenues when new subscribers sign up for OTT via their platform.

    •    Infinite is a fully integrated cloud service platform for pay-TV operators to process, secure, distribute and monetize premium video experiences on all devices including those available via Foundation.  Infinite enables operators to take advantage of the cloud economy and re-capture subscriber share of wallet by offering products, such as Cloud DVR, that leverage new business models and OTT partnerships. It is designed to help operators attract new customers, reconnect cord cutters, and increase the life-time value of a subscriber base.  At CES, Synamedia will showcase a joint demo with Amazon Web Services (NASDAQ: AMZN), using Alexa technology integrated into Infinite in order to provide consumers with voice activated recommendations and content information.

    “More and more of the consumer’s share of the video wallet expands beyond traditional pay-TV, pointing operators to the enormous OTT opportunity. To protect and grow new revenue streams and boost their brand value, operators need to broaden and deepen existing subscriber engagement, and entice new audiences. To do so, the sometimes difficult first steps for many are to add integrated OTT services and avail offerings across all consumer devices, which can seem overwhelming. Our roadmap takes a step-by-step approach that makes it easy to extend operators’ existing offerings and avoid any disruption to subscribers,” said Yves Padrines, CEO of Synamedia.

    Synamedia will be in Chambertin 1 on the ground floor of the Wynn hotel.

    Synamedia’s voice recommendation technology will also be shown in the Amazon booth, Venetian Ballrooms C-D.  

  • TiVo renews IP licence with Foxtel, deliver ultimate experience in Australia

    MUMBAI: TiVo Corporation, a leader in entertainment technology and audience insights, has announced that Foxtel, Australia’s leading pay-TV platform, has signed a multi-year intellectual property (IP) licence renewal. This agreement offers Foxtel ongoing access to TiVo’s industry-leading entertainment discovery patent portfolios.

    “Our relationship with Foxtel demonstrates how pay-TV providers around the world use TiVo’s intellectual property to reach consumers in more innovative ways,” said Samir Armaly, executive vice president, Intellectual Property and Licensing, Rovi Corporation, a TiVo company. “We are proud to continue working with Foxtel, one of Australia’s most innovative media companies, to enable the next-generation of entertainment discovery.”

    The TiVo companies have spent decades investing in research and development to create market-leading technologies for the media and entertainment industry. TiVo’s innovative solutions touch practically every aspect of consumers’ day-to-day interaction with their entertainment, enabling customers to build customized, next-generation digital entertainment solutions for users around the globe.

  • Alfred Haber Television crisscrosses globe with numerous sales for its two series

    Alfred Haber Television crisscrosses globe with numerous sales for its two series

    MUMBAI: Having announced the acquisition of the two new series Dead Again (9 x 60’) and You Can’t Like Your Elbow (6 x 30’) earlier this year, Alfred Haber, President of Alfred Haber Television, Inc. (AHTI), today unveiled a number of key sales for both titles.  The sales cover every corner of the world from the UK to Africa, and from Latin America to Thailand.

     

    For Dead Again, the addictive, nine-episode series produced by Wolf Reality and Left/Right (Mob Wives) for A&E, sales include A&E (United Kingdom), NBC Universal (Germany), Planete Thalassa (France) and Foxtel (Australia). The series, which aired in primetime on A&E in the U.S., follows an elite team of detectives as they re-examine controversial and mysterious murder cases in which unresolved questions still linger…long after the verdict was reached

     

    You Can’t Lick Your Elbow, the remarkable, family-friendly series from producer Authentic Entertainment (Ace Of Cakes, Toddlers & Tiaras), has seen sales success with Discovery (CEEMEA), Rogers (Canada), Discovery (Latin America), NGC Network (India), and BEC World (Thailand). You Can’t Lick Your Elbow uses familiar, ordinary examples, brought to life with cutting-edge CGI and easy-to-understand explanations, to show viewers the amazing, uncnny and often extraordinary things of which the human body is capable. Segments reveal mind-boggling techniques and cool bodytricks people can employ to help them maneuver through their day-to-day lives. 

     

    “These are two very different, yet very successful shows as evidenced by our recent sales,” commented Haber. “Between the thrilling detective stories of Dead Again and the fascinating knowledge collected in You Can’t Lick Your Elbow, these programs are truly international in their appeal and our sales from around the globe certainly support that.”

  • AFL signs colossal $2.5 billion deal with Murdoch’s Seven & Foxtel

    AFL signs colossal $2.5 billion deal with Murdoch’s Seven & Foxtel

    MUMBAI: The AFL will reap a major financial windfall after striking a colossal new six-year broadcast rights agreement for $2.508 billion. The new deal will see Channel Seven, Foxtel and Telstra continue as the League’s broadcasters, which will run from 2017 to 2022.

     

    The current deal expires at the end of the 2016 season. The existing deal was effectively worth $250 million a year while the new deal is 67 per cent bigger at $418 million a year.

     

    AFL commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick and CEO Gillon McLachlan while announcing the deal were joined by News Corp executive chairman Rupert Murdoch, News Corp CEO Robert Thomson, Seven West Media chairman Kerry Stokes and Telstra CEO Andy Penn, among others. 

     

    Channel Seven will broadcast matches in HD free-to-air from the start of the new deal in 2017. The AFL will continue to retain full control of the fixture, including whether the grand final is scheduled as a day, twilight or night match. The AFL fixture will remain at 22 rounds, with nine games each weekend.

     

    Foxtel will continue to broadcast every game, except the AFL Grand Final, which will be aired live on Pay TV. Foxtel will have the right to sub-licence one game per round each weekend in the Saturday 3.20 pm AEST timeslot to a free-to-air provider, if it chooses. Meanwhile Telstra will once again hold the rights for hand-held devices, AFL.com.au and the club digital network. Telstra will broadcast every match on mobile devices.

     

    McLachlan said, “The historic deal delivered for clubs, players, supporters and the community. The deal would provide financial security for clubs and players to allow future growth and certainty. The deal would see resources directed towards the foundations of the game, while growing into new communities to create new generations of supporters, members, players and volunteers.”

     

    The existing deal was sealed for $1.25 billion in April 2011. AFL Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick said the new deal will help the League grow its reach over the next decade. “We need to continue to be the first choice for our elite and talented athletes, we need to strengthen our clubs at all levels, and we need to invest in the community level of our game. This agreement with News Corporation, the Seven Network and Telstra will allow us to make the right investment to keep our game strong,” he said.

     

    Murdoch added, “AFL was Australia’s premium football code. This is a very significant investment for us. We’ve always believed that this is the premium code in Australia – it’s the national game. We’re very happy to be doing this. We believe in the strength of the game and we’ll do everything we can to make it stronger.”

     

    Kerry Stokes revealed the broadcaster would search for ways to broadcast in HD before the next agreement kicks off. “It’s a matter under review. It’s been a technical issue for the network, as you’re aware, and we’re reviewing it again this summer with the hope that we can find a way of bringing high definition to Melbourne,” he said. provides for a separate dispensation in so far as commercial establishments are concerned and hence we hope that the regulator keeps the same in mind while formulating the new tariff regime.”

     

     

    BBC India COO Naveen Jhunjhunwala added, “We strongly advocate a distinction between ordinary and commercial subscribers as far as tariff is concerned since the place of viewing the TV signal and type of usage of TV signals is inherently different in both these categories. Having a global presence, we have seen that the regulators have left determination of tariffs to forbearance thereby ensuring dynamic competition.  With Government focus on making India an easier place to do business, leaving things to market forces will ensure growth and be in line with international scenario.” 

  • News Corp’s Foxtel picks up 15% stake in Ten Network for $59 million

    News Corp’s Foxtel picks up 15% stake in Ten Network for $59 million

    MUMBAI: Australia based Ten Network is planning to sell a 15 per cent stake in itself to Foxtel, which is half owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp and Telstra Corp Ltd.

     

    Foxtel will acquire the stake in the loss-making company for $59 million (A$77 million) at A$0.15 each, which is a 43 per cent discount to its closing price on Friday. Additionally, the company is also looking at raising another A$77 million with a rights issue.

     

    Ten Network will utilise the new capital of up to A$154 million to reduce debt and provide additional financial flexibility. The proceeds of the capital raisings will be used initially to repay the drawn amount under the existing Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) revolving cash advance facility, with any excess funds initially retained as cash. The $200 million CBA facility will continue to be available to fund Ten’s ongoing operations, which will be utilised for working capital, payment of transaction-related expenses, selected investment in content and general corporate purposes.

     

    As a result of this deal, a Foxtel representative will join the Board of Ten, which will be reduced in size to six directors.

     

    Additionally, the deal also includes Ten taking a 24.99 per cent stake in Foxtel’s advertising business Multi Channel Network (MCN) and the option to become a 10 per cent shareholder in Foxtel’s subscription video on-demand service Presto TV. The deal is subject to approval by various regulatory authorities.

     

    MCN will be the ad sales representative of Ten television and digital advertising inventory and will start selling its ad inventory from 1 September, 2015.

     

    Ten executive chairman and CEO Hamish McLennan said, “Today’s announcement represents an important milestone for Ten and the conclusion of the strategic review process initiated by the Board last year. It positions Ten to drive long-term value for shareholders. The Board believes the agreements with Foxtel and MCN will materially enhance Ten’s business and better equip it to respond to the challenges of the ever-changing media and advertising landscape. We welcome Foxtel’s proposed investment and we are confident this proposal will drive value for all of Ten’s shareholders. By joining forces with MCN, Ten will gain new efficiencies, improved data capability and provide broader integration opportunities for its advertising clients.”

     

    “The combined sales operation will provide advertisers a new way to reach consumers across all video conTent distribution platforms. Ten’s ratings and revenue performance has materially improved this year as a result of a clear focus on our core audience of people aged 25 to 54, and a disciplined and selective investment in content. Our total prime time primary channel audience has increased 18 per cent this year,” McLennan added.

     

    “Our Chief Sales Officer, Louise Barrett, and her team have done an outstanding job growing Ten’s revenue base, capitalising on much improved audience numbers. The advertising sales representation arrangement with MCN is a step change and will enable us to further leverage our growing audience with enhanced scale and a broader, more targeted and efficient offering,” he said.

     

    Foxtel CEO Richard Freudenstein added, “We believe our proposed investment in Ten is a win-win for Ten and Foxtel. With Foxtel’s local knowledge and expertise, and MCN delivering synergies and improved advertiser access, we are confident that this proposal delivers a robust long term solution for a revitalised, competitive and profitable Ten.”

  • Murdoch’s Foxtel mulls 15% stake in Oz’s Ten Network for $67 million

    Murdoch’s Foxtel mulls 15% stake in Oz’s Ten Network for $67 million

    MUMBAI: Rupert Murdoch’s Australian local cable TV company Foxtel is mulling the option of buying a stake in Ten Network Holdings.

     

    Australia’s free-to-air broadcaster Ten Network Holdings has acknowledged that it is in talks with Foxtel for a potential investment.

     

    According to a report in the Australian Financial Review, Foxtel was close to agreeing a deal to take a 14.9 per cent stake in Ten, pumping in about $66.47 million at 18 cents a share.

     

    In a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), Ten Network said that an ongoing review about its ownership “involves discussions with Foxtel about the terms on which it may potentially invest in Ten.”

     

    Foxtel is half-owned by the Australian arm of News Corp and half-owned by Australian telecom company Telstra Corp.

     

    Ten Network added that it will “update the ASX again when required to do so under its continuous disclosure obligations.”

     

    The company also urged “caution in dealing in its shares on the basis of media speculation about potential transactions involving the company.”

  • Cartoon Network activates live streaming app in Australia

    Cartoon Network activates live streaming app in Australia

    MUMBAI: Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific has announced a major enhancement to its Cartoon Network Watch and Play app in Australia, allowing Foxtel subscribers to live stream Cartoon Network within the app via a new authenticated service.

     

    Moreover, Cartoon Network Watch and Play will also be available throughout Asia Pacific on the Android platform within the next two months.

     

    Effective 13 April, subscribers will be able to log-in to the free app using their Foxtel username and password to unlock an array of value-added services, which includes live streaming the channel on the device and access to full episodes on demand.

     

    “We are very excited to launch this Cartoon Network authenticated service with Foxtel. We’re always looking for new ways to connect Cartoon Network fans with our content and create truly unique and enjoyable second-screen brand experiences for kids to enjoy and for parents to trust. This partnership will clearly bolster our offering to fans,” said Turner International Asia Pacific VP and chief content officer – kids network Mark Eyers.

     

    Providing additional content exclusively for Foxtel through authentication provides a richer viewing experience for subscribers, while elsewhere in the region, TrueVisions, Thailand’s leading cable satellite television operator, recently authenticated the app.

      

    Aside from live streaming, new features also include access to recent episodes of popular shows including Adventure Time, Clarence, Regular Show, The Amazing World of Gumball and Ben 10: Omniverse, as well as additional native arcade-style games.

     

    Cartoon Network Watch and Play first launched in Asia Pacific late 2013 and has already had more than 585,000 downloads, with more than a third of those from Australia. The App Store also featured Cartoon Network Watch and Play in its ‘Best of 2013’ selection of innovative kids apps.

     

    The app allows users to simultaneously watch their favourite episodes and play games with a simple rotation of the device. Cartoon Network’s app presence is growing in Australia, with new and inventive games set for release later in 2015.