Recent reports reveal the Seven Network will rollout a paid HD subscription service to its ‘7Plus’ streaming app, sometime this year.
The news was disclosed within Seven West Media’s half year earnings results, and forms part of the network’s strategy to expand its online streaming service.
As reported by EFTM, the 7Plus app will soon incorporate a user sign in portal – similar Channel Nine & SBS’ offerings – and is set to include a paid subscription service, in addition to personalised recommendations.
Personalised recommendations will likely form part of Seven’s strategy to further engage and capture repeat viewers.
The network will also reportedly be adding new content partnerships with Warner Bros, Disney, Discovery and NBCUniversal.
Whilst ‘catch up’ programming will remain free-of-charge, Seven’s paid subscription service will include HD content, offline downloads and exclusive programs.
Network Seven’s decision to charge for HD content leverages the rise of HD streaming in other subscription services e.g. Netflix.
The move may give the network a leg up over rivals such as ABC’s iView which lacks HD offerings.
Following its acquisition of Network Ten, CBS is soon to debut its “All Access” paid streaming service in Australia.
Network Seven’s 7Plus app is set to roll out to more devices this year, including Android, Samsung and LG TVs, and Foxtel’s Foxtel Now box.
