AETN & FOXTEL Renew, Expand Partnership

NEW YORK/SYDNEY: FOXTEL is to assume expanded rights for multiplatform representation of content from A&E Television Networks (AETN) across Australia and New Zealand, according to terms of a new partnership agreement.

FOXTEL currently programs, operates and distributes localized versions of HISTORY, Crime & Investigation and BIO across the region. The new terms grant FOXTEL the rights to distribute AETN’s brands and programs across new platforms. The pay-TV operator will represent program sales for AETN’s factual library—which covers series and specials from HISTORY, A&E Network, BIO and Crime & Investigation—across Australia and New Zealand. Fraser Stark, FOXTEL’s program executive, has been appointed to oversee the distribution for the region.

“FOXTEL is a key partner and we are very pleased to expand and strengthen our already close relationship,” said Sean Cohan, the senior VP for international at AETN. “FOXTEL’s strong leadership team has driven rapid growth for the platform and our channels. Their execution married with our content and brands has proved a winning combination, and today, AETN’s brands are ranked the top-performing factual brands on the platform. We look forward to continued success and growth in our partnership, including jointly launching more services."

Brian Walsh, the executive director of television and marketing for FOXTEL, added, “FOXTEL is committed to providing subscribers with more exclusive and first-run programming and AETN provides compelling, quality content which can now be delivered across a range of genres to our viewers. In addition, that we’ve been able to extend our relationship with AETN, who already provide us with a raft of premium programming, is a terrific testament to FOXTEL’s factual unit ,which is now open for the distribution business in Australia and New Zealand.”