Telstra says internet TV service a success

Telstra has hailed its internet-based TV service an immediate success.

Telstra is adding the ABC iview internet TV app and US basketball to its TV line-up.

Telstra has hailed its internet-based TV service an immediate success, saying customers have watched the equivalent of more than 34 years of entertainment in just five weeks.

The telco giant has partnered with US company Roku to launch a home-streaming device called Telstra TV to offer customers streaming services such as Netflix, Stan and Presto in one place. Launched on October 27, the device is sold for $109, or comes free for some broadband customers. It also allows customers to watch catch-up TV services from the three main commercial networks and buy Hollywood movies.

Telstra executive Serkan Honeine declined to disclose how many subscribers the service had attracted, but said Telstra TV customers had watched more than 18 million minutes of content.

Telstra will add the ABC iview internet TV app and US basketball to the line-up from today.

“The early usage statistics are also showing that our customers are viewing a variety of the content on offer. The most watched services on Telstra TV so far are Netflix, YouTube, Presto, Stan and BigPond Movies,” said Mr Honeine, Telstra’s director of At Home Media.

Telstra has reshaped its media business in recent months to meet the demands of a fast-changing landscape by rapidly expanding into new forms of viewing.

In addition to Telstra TV, the telco half owns subscription-TV service Foxtel, jointly owned by News Corporation, publisher of The Australian.

Telstra group executive Joe Pollard yesterday revealed Foxtel would receive additional investment in 2016.

“Our focus is on continuing to invest in the growth of Foxtel and Telstra TV to increase penetration of pay-TV in households,” Ms Pollard told The Australian. “We will also make the most of our unique mobile assets, such as the AFL, NRL apps and Apple Music, to give our customers more experiences they will only be able to get with Telstra.”

Ms Pollard said “collaborative relationships and integrated partnerships with media owners” would also be top of mind.

Telstra recently struck a $1.8 billion media rights deal with the NRL and broadcast partners Fox Sports and the Nine Network.

Telstra has paid $175 million to telecast matches on its mobile network, as well as replays and highlights on Telstra TV in 2016.