A staple on Qantas services over many years has been the Nine Network’s Qantas inflight news bulletin. However the days of hearing the Nine News theme on a Qantas jetliner will soon be coming to an end.
The Australian flag carrier has joined forces with Foxtel, SKY NEWS, FOX SPORTS and the Multi Channel Network (MCN) for a new integrated content and advertising partnership.
The deal will see SKY NEWS replace Nine as the exclusive supplier for inflight news and Foxtel and Fox Sports become Qantas content partners. Advertising sales will be represented exclusively by MCN for all Qantas inflight video, both domestically and overseas.
Under the new arrangements, SKY NEWS will provide multiple news bulletins throughout the day on international and domestic flights and its new Australian news service live to the network of Qantas lounges overseas.
An exciting aspect of the new deal is that Qantas will have access to the Foxtel library of premium local productions across lifestyle, drama, food and entertainment programming, plus FOX SPORTS’ unrivalled sports coverage, which according to the press release will drive a significant increase in viewing choices on-board.
CEO of MCN Anthony Fitzgerald said the partnership will deliver a compelling multi-platform video solution for the Qantas screens, which will have great market appeal.
“MCN is delighted to be working with Qantas and our channel partners to strengthen the inflight opportunity for Qantas customers and advertisers…We look forward to helping Qantas strengthen its video content and video ad sales in 2015.”
It is exciting to hear that the deal includes access to Foxtel’s local production library, along with sports programming from Fox Sports. It would not be surprising to see Foxtel local productions such as Selling Houses Australia or Wentworth, along with sports programming such as the Back Page available ‘on Q‘ once the new deal starts.
Foxtel has previously supplied inflight programming to airlines in Australia. Virgin Blue (now Virgin Australia) previously carried live Foxtel/Austar channels via the now defunct live 2 air service.
The new deal commences on 1 November 2014.
Reference:
Qantas announces inflight entertainment partnership with Foxtel, SKY NEWS, FOX SPORTS & MCN