Presto, Foxtel and Channel Seven’s joint streaming service has announced content deals with two major US studios, HBO and Showtime, however “Game of Thrones” is not amongst the programs included in the deal.
Reports Mumbrella, a spokesman for Foxtel has confirmed HBO series including “The Sopranos”, “Entourage” and “Boardwalk Empire” will be exclusive to the service when it launches in Australia, but “HBO has made the decision that Game of Thrones won’t be available on any SVOD services worldwide”.
This could be because HBO are reportedly in preparations to launch their own streaming service, a stand-alone version of HBO Go in 2015 that will not require a cable television subscription. It is not known whether this service will be available internationally.
Earlier this month Foxtel and Seven West Media announced their collaborative Presto Entertainment service, an equally-owned venture between the companies which will offer television programs for on demand streaming. The new version of Presto will expand Foxtel’s current service and offer a library of local and international on demand television content when it is launched early next year.
Presto’s announcement today confirmed it will also carry shows including “Ray Donovan”, “Dexter” and “Californication”. “Presto will feature complete past seasons from the HBO and Showtime programming we’ve announced, with the most recent past seasons from Showtime coming to Presto first,” said the Foxtel statement.
Additionally, Fairfax Media and Nine Entertainment Co’s rival service Stan also confirmed a non-exclusive content deal with ABC Commercial, securing a number of the public broadcaster’s popular shows for the service. This includes shows like “Summer Heights High”, “Ja’mie Private School Girl”, “Upper Middle Bogan”, “It’s a Date” and “Redfern Now”.
