Telstra relaunches entertainment package

The telco will offer three-month free subscriptions to Netflix, Stan and Presto, amid pressure from rivals.

A still from Netflix's Orange Is The New Black. Telstra will offer three-month free subscriptions to leading digital streaming services Netflix, Stan and Presto on selected mobile plans.

Telstra will offer three-month free subscriptions to leading digital streaming services Netflix, Stan and Presto on selected mobile plans, as the telecommunications giant relaunches its entertainment package in the face of increased competition from rivals Optus and Vodafone.

Telstra has packaged subscriptions to Presto, owned by Seven West Media and Foxtel, and Stan, a joint venture between Fairfax Media and Nine Entertainment, with mobile plans before but it has never bundled the three services at the same time.

Telstra will also provide its mobile customers with data-free music streaming from Apple Music and launch a new app to aggregate its sports and entertainment content. The offerings will be backed by an extensive marketing campaign, kicking off on Tuesday.

“Australians have embraced streaming video services like Netflix in their lounge rooms and we are now seeing that appetite translate to phones and tablets outside the home,” Telstra media executive director Michele Garra said.

“As an example, network traffic surges during the morning and afternoon commute suggesting two new prime-time periods are emerging, as people discover how easy it to continue watching their favourite shows on the go.”

Entertainment has become a new battleground for telcos after Singaporean-backed Optus paid $189 million for the English Premier League football broadcast rights last year and signed deals with Netflix and Stan.

But Optus’ EPL coverage has come under fire from angry subscribers who have complained of delays, poor picture quality and service disruptions.

Vodafone offers subscriptions to Stan and music streaming service Spotify as part of some of its mobile plans.

The Rio Olympic Games has seen surging streaming numbers for mobile and tablet devices, as viewers increasingly watch the events using Seven Network’s “Olympics on 7” app, as opposed to the traditional broadcast service.

During Usain Bolt’s victory in the 100 metres athletics final, Telstra said 24 per cent of its total mobile traffic could be attributed to people watching the event.

Telstra holds the digital rights to the AFL and NRL, which have also seen surging streaming numbers this year.

The average live audience per AFL premiership game is up by 65 per cent year-on-year, while its has nearly doubled for the NRL.