As Foxtel scales back content deals with major suppliers it is opening up opportunities for FTA broadcasters.
Earlier this month Nine took advantage of content available from NBCUniversal in a deal to boost content for 9Now.
Now just days after Foxtel revealed a revised deal with Discovery, Seven has expanded its partnership with the content company.
Seven’s new deal comes ahead of the closer of its 7food channel, with much of the 7food programming moving to 7flix from December 29.
Meanwhile there will be new Discovery true crime content coming to 7TWO.
Seven will feature Discovery’s premium content in dedicated, branded programming blocks on 7flix and 7TWO, as well as a part of 7plus, Seven’s BVOD service.
Commenting on the expanded partnership, Brook Hall, Seven’s director of content scheduling, said: “We’re thrilled to be stepping up our partnership with Discovery, to showcase their unmatched Food Network and premium true crime content across 7flix, 7TWO and 7plus.
“Discovery’s content will continue to be a key component of our multichannel strategy in 2020. Both 7flix and 7TWO will feature premium Discovery content, strengthening their positions in the market.
“7plus will also benefit from our expanded partnership with Discovery, with Food Network and premium true crime content perfect for BVOD audiences.”
Food Network content migrating to 7flix includes Restaurant Impossible, Buddy vs Duff, The Great Food Truck Race, Crazy Cakes and Spring Baking Championship.
Premium true crime content from Discovery joining 7TWO includes Who Killed Jane Doe?, Beauty Queen Murders, Momsters: When Moms Go Bad and Deadly Intent: Murder Among Friends.
Jeanneane Mckay, director of lifestyle content & channels at Discovery said, “We’re delighted to build on our partnership with Seven, extending the reach of our popular Food Network and true crime content. There is a huge appetite for this content worldwide among female audiences, and their addition to the line-up for 7flix and 7TWO strengthens their positions among this key demographic.”
Beyond today’s announcement, as announced at Seven’s Upfronts in October, 7flix will be completely rebranded in 2020 to focus on young female audiences and 7mate will be going HD, further strengthening Seven’s leading multichannel strategy.