Nine has signed a significant multi-year deal with NBCUniversal (NBCU) encompassing both scripted and unscripted, territory premiere and library television content as well as feature films. The deal will see Nine substantially amplify the offering of 9Now in addition to providing premium content for its primary and digital terrestrial linear channels.
Hugh Marks CEO of Nine said: “Traditionally, platforms like 9Now have been focused on being largely a reflection of our linear channels. This deal with NBCU sees 9Now firmly beyond being a ‘catch up service’ and instead become an entertainment destination in its own right.
Over the past four years, we have established 9Now as the leading commercial broadcast video on demand platform in Australia, but this deal with NBCU helps us not only ensure the consistency of 9Now audience throughout the year, it also helps us better compete with the digital giants with a premium video product, which is unmatched in this market.”
As part of the content slate in the agreement, Nine will secure broadcast premiere rights on new Bravo series commissioned from 2020 onwards and will be the free to air destination for much loved shows from the Bravo stable including The Real Housewives franchise, Below Deck, Million Dollar Listing New York, in addition to upcoming globally exclusive brand-new titles from Bravo such as Family Karma and Below Deck Sailing Yacht, alongside content from E! including Botched, Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Hollywood Medium with Tyler Henry.
The deal will also see Nine and 9Now secure first run of shows for premium NBCU scripted comedy and drama content with leading titles for 2020 including Resident Alien, Bluff City Law and the highly anticipated new animated American comedy, Duncanville, which is co-created and executive produced by Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning producer, actress and director Amy Poehler and producers, Mike and Julie Scully (The Simpsons).
9Now will also launch new territory premiere programming exclusively to the platform including Suits spin-off Pearson, The Arrangement, The Enemy Within and Reverie.
Rounding out the offering, viewers can catch up on favorite classic U.S. television series such as Magnum P.I. and Miami Vice, as well as beloved titles from the NBCUniversal library including Friday Night Lights, The Mindy Project and Royal Pains, amongst others.
Dramatically expanding Nine’s content library on live streaming and on-demand platform, 9Now, the move will also consolidate and build on 9Now’s leadership of the Australian premium video market.
“We have had a longstanding partnership with Nine and are delighted to expand our relationship with them through this monumental deal that highlights the diverse offering across the entire NBCUniversal portfolio,” said Belinda Menendez, President & Chief Revenue Officer, Global Distribution and International, NBCUniversal.
Nine will also remain as the free to air home of brand-new and classic feature films from Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation, giving audiences access to key titles in hit franchises such as Bourne, The Fast and the Furious, Back to the Future and Shrek, as well as new movies including Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, Yesterday and Downton Abbey.
The new slate of programming will be available to stream or watch on Nine and 9Now from December 1.
