Australia’s Presto to Boost Content Library

SYDNEY: Australian SVOD service Presto has announced plans to ramp up its 5,000 hours of streaming content.

The digital hub is set to dramatically increase its content libraries over the coming weeks, building on the upcoming release of the U.S. drama Aquarius as a “First on Presto” Australian exclusive. This focus on expansion follows the approval of a joint venture between Seven West Media and Foxtel, which will see both companies working to grow Presto’s presence in the SVOD market.

“Presto has been steadily building its content proposition and the formalization of our joint venture with Seven puts us in a position to dramatically ramp up our plans to be a major player in Australia’s SVOD sector,” said Shaun James, the director of Presto and on demand at Foxtel, who will also act as interim CEO of the JV while the management team is formed. “We have an enviable library. We have the premium content. We have the upcoming first-run ‘only on Presto’ programming that we’ll be unveiling over the coming weeks. We have great partners and we are committed to delivering the best consumer experience.”

James continued: “We’ve already confirmed key agreements with content providers such as HBO, Showtime and with our key shareholders Foxtel and Seven West Media and we recently announced our first-run exclusive Australian launch of the entire series of Aquarius, starring David Duchovny, coming to Presto Entertainment and Presto TV on Friday, May 29. Our customers can expect similar announcements as we move forward.”