Competition in Australian content streaming market could be set to heat up, with another international provider to launch locally next month.<\/p>\n
US television giant NBCUniversal International yesterday revealed it will launch Hayu, a subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service, in Australia in March.<\/p>\n
Read more: Stream runs dry as local content provider EzyFlix closes<\/p>\n
Hayu will also launch into the United Kingdom and Ireland in March and viewers will be able to access the content from a host of devices, including mobiles, tablets, laptops and internet-connected TVs.<\/p>\n
But unlike popular US streaming giant Netflix, which is estimated to have an Australian subscription base of more than 2.7 million people, Hayu will have a more niche offering.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s four things you need to know about Hayu.<\/p>\n
1. The service will only stream reality television shows<\/strong><\/h3>\nNBCUniversal is home to popular reality television series including Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The Real Housewives and so Hayu will only stream this kind of content.<\/p>\n
The company said in a statement yesterday Australian consumers will have access to more than 3000 hours of reality TV through the platform.<\/p>\n
2. Australians will have access to content on that same day as US customers<\/strong><\/h3>\nIn days gone by, Australian viewers often faced lengthy delays to watch new episodes of US television series.<\/p>\n
However, Hayu claims the majority of the US series on its platform will be available to Australian users on the same day their US counterparts will have access.<\/p>\n
3. It will be cheaper than other providers<\/strong><\/h3>\nA subscription to Hayu will cost $5.99 per month, with a one-month free trial period.<\/p>\n
This is a lower monthly fee than what Australians pay for other content providers, although many of the other services provided a wider array of content.<\/p>\n
According to a comparison from Finder.com, monthly subscriptions to providers such as Netflix, Stan, Presto, QuickFlix and FoxtelPlay range from $8.99 a month for a single Netflix subscription to between $25 and $50 for a subscription to FoxtelPlay.<\/p>\n
4. Social media will play a part<\/strong><\/h3>\nHayu is banking on reality TV viewers love of social media to entice them to the platform.<\/p>\n
NBCUniversal said in a statement the platform will integrate with news feeds about the shows and their stars, along with the stars\u2019 own social media accounts.<\/p>\n
Hayu users will also be offered specially made short-form clips from TV episodes to share via their social media accounts.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
In days gone by, Australian viewers often faced lengthy delays to watch new episodes of US television series.<\/p>\n
However, Hayu claims the majority of the US series on its platform will be available to Australian users on the same day their US counterparts will have access.<\/p>\n
3. It will be cheaper than other providers<\/strong><\/h3>\nA subscription to Hayu will cost $5.99 per month, with a one-month free trial period.<\/p>\n
This is a lower monthly fee than what Australians pay for other content providers, although many of the other services provided a wider array of content.<\/p>\n
According to a comparison from Finder.com, monthly subscriptions to providers such as Netflix, Stan, Presto, QuickFlix and FoxtelPlay range from $8.99 a month for a single Netflix subscription to between $25 and $50 for a subscription to FoxtelPlay.<\/p>\n
4. Social media will play a part<\/strong><\/h3>\nHayu is banking on reality TV viewers love of social media to entice them to the platform.<\/p>\n
NBCUniversal said in a statement the platform will integrate with news feeds about the shows and their stars, along with the stars\u2019 own social media accounts.<\/p>\n
Hayu users will also be offered specially made short-form clips from TV episodes to share via their social media accounts.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Hayu is banking on reality TV viewers love of social media to entice them to the platform.<\/p>\n
NBCUniversal said in a statement the platform will integrate with news feeds about the shows and their stars, along with the stars\u2019 own social media accounts.<\/p>\n
Hayu users will also be offered specially made short-form clips from TV episodes to share via their social media accounts.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n