Austria’s largest cable operator UPC Austria is preparing the launch of a subscription video-on-demand service (SVOD) following the Netflix model on which viewers can watch films, series and other content for a flat monthly fee.
“In the first half of 2016, we will probably introduce a new entertainment platform like the one we are already offering in Switzerland,” Eric Tveter, CEO of UPC Austria, told Austrian newspaper Der Standard. Swiss sister company UPC Cablecom which is like UPC Austria owned by Liberty Global countered Netflix with its own SVOD service MyPrime in September 2014.
“If we launch our own platform, then it will be MyPrime. But we are currently negotiating with other on-demand providers,” said Tveter. He added: “We could take Netflix onto our platform. Virgin Media, our UK-based sister company, for example already collaborates with Netflix.”
“We are currently – on a global level – in negotiations with Netflix,” revealed Tveter. “If there is a result, we will not conceal it – but we aren’t this far yet. But, of course, we strongly work towards video-on-demand. That’s one of the core pillars of our business.”
UPC Austria’s local rival Telekom Austria recently launched its own streaming video service A1 Now as part of a beta trial on which viewers can watch films, series and other content through the web, smartphones and tablets.
