Foxtel is reportedly working on a new streaming drama service under the code name Project Jupiter. The new service may be completely free of Foxtel branding, and there are suggestions it may even replace the Foxtel Now service.
The Australian Financial Review has reported that Foxtel has officially green-lit the new premium drama streaming service which is currently being developed internally under the code name Project Jupiter. The report has hinted that the service could be up and running just in time for the final season of Game of Thrones, which is set to air here on April 15th. At present, it is looking less likely the new premium drama streaming service will be available in time, but there’s still some weeks to go.
The new service is said to eventually replace Foxtel Now, which has seen dwindling subscriber numbers, but being more expensive than rivals Netflix and Stan, it’s not hard to see why the numbers are falling.
The new streaming service is said to have content not only from Foxtel itself, but its current broadcast channel partners such as HBO, BBC International, Universal and FX. It is not clear if any Disney titles or channel will be available on the new platform, given that Disney has already signed a deal for all their content to be mad available through their partnership with Nine Entertainment Co owned Stan.
A Foxtel spokesperson has told the AFR that:
“As we have previously said, we are committed to developing new generation streaming products.
We have great results with sport and Kayo and will continue to investigate the potential options for streaming.”
Foxtel (through Fox Sports) has already launched a dedicated sports streaming service, Kayo, which has already reached over 100,000 subscribers. The company expects that number to grow significantly once the AFL and NRL seasons commence.
Analysts have opined that separate streaming apps might erode Foxtel’s base of cable and satellite subscribers, but ultimately the company probably doesn’t care that much – if the streaming services it offers gives it a competitive edge against Netflix and Stan, then they’re probably ahead overall.
It’s unclear when Foxtel’s new service will launch or how it will be priced, but rumours suggest it may be less than its traditional Pay TV services.
