Fetch TV rides Netflix wave

Netflix’s rocketing growth in Australia is spurring demand for Fetch TV, which provides a range of IPTV services to telcos Optus, iiNet and Dodo.

The OTT platform had about 170,000 subscribers before Netflix launched on March 25, integrated with Fetch TV’s second-generation set-top boxes.

But Fetch TV CEO Scott Lorson told C21: “The sign-up rate and usage of Netflix on Fetch TV has exceeded even our most optimistic forecasts. Fetch TV now has well over 200,000 subscribers and is on track to exceed 250,000 by the end of this financial year (June 30).”

Netflix is estimated to have upwards of 500,000 subscribers, outpacing its rivals Stan, Presto Movies/Presto TV and Quickflix.

Majority-owned by Malaysian satcaster Astro Overseas Limited, Fetch TV is a hybrid pay TV provider that integrates a digital video recorder, free-to-air broadcasters and their catch-up services, 40 subscription channels and a rental library of more than 4,000 movies.

The service will introduce electronic sell-through later this year, enabling customers to buy movies and TV series, and plans to expand to New Zealand.