iflix Lands NBCU First-Run Deal

KUALA LUMPUR: Southeast Asian OTT platform iflix has landed the first-run rights to 20-plus titles from NBCUniversal International Distribution, including the upcoming second season of Mr. Robot.

The first-run titles also include Difficult People, Hunters and The Magicians. Other NBCU titles on iflix include Downton Abbey, Grimm, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Bates Motel, 12 Monkeys, Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The Millionaire Matchmaker, plus every episode of House, 30 Rock, The Office and Parks and Recreation. The platform is currently available in Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.

“We are thrilled to strengthen our partnership with NBCUniversal, which began with our acquisition of Mr. Robot last year,” said James Bridges, chief content officer at iflix. “Mr. Robot epitomizes the type of exceptional content iflix aims to bring to Southeast Asia. Adding more upcoming exclusives, along with an outstanding selection of the studio’s most iconic titles, allows us to further expand on the considerable breadth and quality of content we already offer our members.”

Belinda Menendez, the president of NBCUniversal International Distribution & Networks, added: “This multiyear deal is an exciting evolution in NBCUniversal’s relationship with iflix. We are thrilled to be able to complement iflix’s ambitious content strategy by licensing such a compelling and broad range of quality series to the service, maximizing value for subscribers.”