As the nation prepares to unwind over summer, TVNZ is ramping up with a major expansion of its online offering – TVNZ OnDemand is adding 200 new hours of exclusive content, launching on new devices and introducing new features as it responds to Kiwis’ changing viewing habits.
Russell T Davies’ sexy interlinking dramas Banana and Cucumber, the satirical comedy series W1A starring Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville, and the British Comedy Award-winning sketch show Cardinal Burns are among a bundle of exclusive box sets coming to TVNZ OnDemand from Tuesday (1 December).
Director of content Jeff Latch says TVNZ will release a large collection of international comedy, drama and factual titles exclusively online – more than 40 series in all.
“Summer’s a great time to watch TV,” he says. “We might be off the clock but we’re not completely off the grid. We’re taking our devices away with us and we’ve actually got time to enjoy quality content. It’s created an exciting new opportunity for TVNZ from a digital programming perspective.
“Kiwis can look forward to kicking back over their holidays and binging on hilarious Brit comedies, top notch dramas and fascinating factual investigations. We’ve also got you covered if you want to dip in for a quick fix. TVNZ OnDemand’s new Shorts line-up is a home for quality curated shorts from here and abroad.”
TVNZ OnDemand has amassed 900,000 verified users since relaunching in February. A stronger focus on online premieres has cemented its status as an entertainment destination in its own right, says Latch.
“This year a growing number of TVNZ OnDemand’s streams have been generated by shows offered online before on air. Kiwis love being able to enjoy hit shows like iZombie and Scandal within hours of US broadcast,” he says.
“TVNZ OnDemand is all about having the shows Kiwis love first to market – at the same time we know viewers want more time to discover new content. This summer we are meeting that need by releasing a number of new titles exclusive to TVNZ OnDemand for viewers to watch at their leisure.
“Based on the trends we’re seeing, we think viewers will have a field day with TVNZ OnDemand over their holidays and beyond.”
- New content: full seasons of top international comedy, drama and factual series will be available exclusively on TVNZ OnDemand as box sets. Shorts also launches on Tuesday 1 December, catering to the demand for mobile-friendly, bite-sized video. Shorts will offer an entertaining and evolving line-up of local and international series, new commissions and brand funded partnerships.
- New features: TVNZ OnDemand will make it easier for viewers to keep up with the shows they love. Watchlists will automatically update with new episodes of favourite shows. Push notifications to mobile devices will also be available.
- New devices: offering viewers a big screen experience, the TVNZ OnDemand app is now on PlayStation3 and PlayStation4. In December it will also be available in the Windows Store for those who have Windows 10 on their PC or tablet.
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