Hoyts Joins Chase For Slice Of Video Streaming Pie

• Hoyts takes on Quickflix and Netflix
• Pay for play
• Designed for multiple devices

Australian cinema chain, Hoyts, has announced it will embrace the evolving world of filmed entertainment by launching Hoyts Stream in the first quarter of 2013.  

• Hoyts takes on Quickflix and Netflix
• Pay for play
• Designed for multiple devices

Australian cinema chain, Hoyts, has announced it will embrace the evolving world of filmed entertainment by launching Hoyts Stream in the first quarter of 2013.  

With Hoyts Stream, the Hoyts Corporation intends to create a digital movie streaming business, which leverages and integrates with Hoyts’ existing assets. Hoyts Stream will utilise an Internet driven streaming platform, which will support multi-device access and offer consumers a pay-as-you-go model for New Release as well as ClassicMovies and TV content. An all-you-can eat subscription model, specifically for Movie and TV Classics, will follow later in 2013. New Release content on the Hoyts Stream Service will release day and date with current DVD windows.

This will take on the likes of Quickflix and Netflix, both of which are expanding their own partnerships. Quickflix recently announced deals with both Panasonic and Samsung that allows consumers to  stream movies, in the case of Panasonic via its Viera Connect platform, while with Samsung it is by going through its latest smart televisions. LG penned a similar deal with Netflix back in 2009. This comes on top of content deals already existing between Samsung and Foxtel, and Panasonic and BigPond.

Hoyts believes that the proliferation of tablets, other mobile devices and smart televisions, coupled with ubiquitous broadband, will enable it to access consumers directly, leveraging its content relationships, bundling/rewards opportunities, and brand.

The Hoyts Corporation Chairman David Kirk says, “Australians are growing more and more demanding in how they want their movie experience delivered. The convergence of entertainment and technology is exciting and has inspired us to harness digital platforms so as to provide our customers choice for how they consume filmed entertainment from Hoyts, be it on the big screen, small screen or now any screen”.

With the addition of Hoyts Stream, the Hoyts Corporation’s consumer offerings will now form three distinct divisions: Cinema, Kiosk and Stream. Hoyts’ DVD rental kiosk division Oovie, will undergo a re-brand as part of the new direction. Additional changes will see the Hoyts Rewards loyalty program, currently only open to Hoyts Cinema patrons, commence including Hoyts Stream and Hoyts Kiosk, allowing customers to be rewarded for any interaction they have with the filmed entertainment business.