EXCLUSIVE: Australia’s Nine Entertainment and producer WTFN are teaming launch global FAST channels and on-demand services.
The pair will look to create revenue streams through content from the WTFN library, starting with a network called Real Emergency.
WTFN’s broadcast distribution arm, Fred Media, will the FAST channel, which will feature two of Nine Network’s returning series Paramedics, which runs to seven seasons and 75 episodes, and Emergency, which is five seasons and 50 eps, both of which are produced by WTFN.
Real Emergency will launch on streaming service 9Now in Australia in Q2 and will be distributed to major FAST platforms worldwide. Meanwhile, WTFN digital distribution arm Radar, will roll out Real Emergency VOD channels across YouTube, Facebook and other social video platforms.
Derek Dyson, WTFN’s Chief Commercial Officer, said the deal was an example of the company’s ‘total distribution’ strategies for its partners.
“By bringing together our Fred and Radar divisions, we can work with rights holders to get their content monetised on every conceivable platform,” said Dyson. “It’s all about unlocking new revenue streams from previously underutilised rights.”
“The work done by Channel 4 in the UK, in demonstrating the value that can be extracted by distributing broadcast content on a wider range of channels, particularly in the home territory, has opened the eyes of networks worldwide. Its activities have neutralised the concern that publishing on channels like YouTube will cannibalise audiences. On the contrary, it is successfully reaching previously untapped viewers and advertisers and enhancing engagement,” he added.
Kieren Pittard, Nine’s Head of Acquisitions and Distribution, added the partnership was about “diversifying revenue streams and maximising opportunities from existing rights.”
“This partnership allows us to unlock the full value of these quality productions and to extend their reach – finding new audiences across new platforms both here and overseas” he said.
“Continuing to diversify and maximise revenue streams for content where we have existing rights is important to Nine, and working with a partner so well-versed in the global FAST space made complete sense – especially when it produces both shows for us too,” he added.
Elsewhere, Radar has struck a deal with independent Canadian producer Omnifilm Entertainment. The distributor has created a Jade Fever YouTube channel, based on the factual series that follows a long-established jade mining family in the wilds of Canada. Jade Fever has run for seven seasons and was first broadcast on Discovery Channel Canada.
“We are delighted to bring Jade Fever into our growing stable of single IP YouTube channels,” said Dyson. “It has everything you need for a successful series on YouTube: great talent, hidden treasure, dramatic moments and big machines. We are excited to now share this fabulous series with the world.”
