The Foxtel Group has recruited a former News Corp editor to lead the creation of its next standalone streaming service, Newsflash.
As first reported by the SMH, the former editor-in-chief of the news.com.au website, Kate de Brito has taken on a new role at Foxtel where she will oversee the expected launch of the news streaming platform.
Newsflash is expected to launch in Q4 this year and will provide customers access to Live and On-Demand news and opinion programming from Sky News Australia.
Newsflash will be the third SVOD product developed by Foxtel’s streaming division Streamotion, joining a portfolio that includes Kayo and standalone drama service Binge.
A spokesperson for Foxtel confirmed the appointment of De Brito telling TV Blackbox,
“The Foxtel Group is examining a news streaming service, and Kate De Brito is working on the business case for the service and other necessary planning in the event the project proceeds. James Law will be joining Kate on the project.”
TV Blackbox first revealed details of Newsflash in April. In addition to Sky News content, the new streaming service is also expected to feature Live and On-Demand programming from international channels including Fox News and CNN.
Foxtel recently became the exclusive Australian home to CNN programming under a broader content agreement with Warner Bros, and the launch of Newsflash will allow it to further capitalise on this investment.
Newsflash is also expected to provide investors access to the latest in international finance news with access to services from Bloomberg and CNBC.
Newsflash will be launched as a standalone product with pricing yet to be confirmed. Its expected packages will also be made available to bundle the product with NewsCorp’s other digital news mastheads.
