Seven partners with Keshet, Woodcut to launch true crime FAST channel down under

Australia’s Seven Network has partnered with Keshet International (KI) and the UK’s Woodcut International to launch a free, ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel dedicated to true crime this month.

Richard Henson

Available on Seven’s digital service 7plus, True Crime Files will include 100 hours of content licensed from Keshet, most of which will be produced by true crime specialist producer Woodcut Media.

Keshet has also completed a separate representation deal with Woodcut International for an additional slate of true crime content for True Crime Files. This includes Surviving a Serial Killer, How I Caught the Killer and The Killer Within, plus one-off documentaries Knox: The Rob Knox Story, Frankie Fraser’s Last Stand and The Krays by Fred Dinenage.

Kelly Wright, KI’s MD of distribution, said viewership of VoD and FAST channels in Australia was surging and that the partnership with Seven indicated more broadcast deals were ahead.

“This deal has opened the door for us to represent more of Woodcut’s fantastic true crime content with a view to exploiting other VoD and FAST channel opportunities across Asia-Pacific in the future.”

Richard Henson, Seven Network’s director distribution and content partnerships, said the number of minutes streamed on FAST channels had increased by 84% year-on-year.

“Mono-thematic, single-IP and sports content are all resonating with our 7plus audience. We’re thrilled to be working with KI on this volume of exceptional true crime content produced by Woodcut Media and look forward to launching the True Crime Files FAST channel,” he said.