Industry

WTFN has agreed a deal with long-term partner Nine to drive new revenue streams from global FAST and VOD platforms, starting with the creation of a new channel called Real Emergency.

WTFN’s broadcast distribution arm, Fred Media, will launch the Real Emergency FAST channel, which will prominently feature two of the 9Network’s long-running returning series Paramedics (7 seasons, 75 eps) and Emergency (5 seasons, 50 eps), both of which are produced by WTFN. Real Emergency will launch on 9Now in Australia in Q2 and will also be distributed to major FAST platforms worldwide. Meanwhile, Radar, WTFN’s digital distribution arm, will roll out Real Emergency VOD channels across YouTube, Facebook and other social video platforms.

Derek Dyson, WTFN’s Chief Commercial Officer, said the deal was another example of the company’s ability to drive “Total Distribution” solutions for its partners.

“By bringing together our Fred and Radar divisions, we can work with rights holders to get their content monetised on every conceivable platform. It’s all about unlocking new revenue streams from previously underutilised rights,” he said.

“I think the work done by Channel 4 in the UK, in demonstrating the value that can be extracted by distributing broadcast content on a wider range of channels, particularly in the home territory, has opened the eyes of networks worldwide. Its activities have neutralised the concern that publishing on channels like YouTube will cannibalise audiences. On the contrary, it is successfully reaching previously untapped viewers and advertisers and enhancing engagement,” he added.

Kieren Pittard, Nine’s Head of Acquisitions and Distribution, said the decision to partner with WTFN achieved Nine’s business goals of diversifying revenue streams and maximising opportunities from existing rights.

“This partnership allows us to unlock the full value of these quality productions and to extend their reach – finding new audiences across new platforms both here and overseas” he said.
“Continuing to diversify and maximise revenue streams for content where we have existing rights is important to Nine, and working with a partner so well-versed in the global FAST space made complete sense – especially when it produces both shows for us too,” he added.

Meanwhile, Radar also announced the launch of a new partnership with independent Canadian producer Omnifilm Entertainment. Radar has launched a dedicated YouTube Channel for Jade Fever, its popular factual series that follows a long-established jade mining family in the wilds of Canada. Jade Fever has run for seven seasons and was first broadcast on Discovery Channel Canada.

Derek Dyson said, “We are delighted to bring Jade Fever into our growing stable of single IP YouTube channels. It has everything you need for a successful series on YouTube: great talent, hidden treasure, dramatic moments and big machines! We are excited to now share this fabulous series with the world”.