October 22, 2024 • 7 mins
Sky TV's struck a deal with Warner Bros Discovery - ensuring it continues to be the home of HBO content in New Zealand.
The company has stopped HBO’s Max app launching on our shores and confirmed Neon will keep streaming its original content - and several WBD franchises, such as Friends, Rick and Morty and The Big Bang Theory.
Chief executive Sophie Moloney says it's good that viewers will be able to keep getting the HBO originals they love, plus access to a new back catalogue of content.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now. SkyTV shares have had a bit of a bump
today after the PayTV provider announced a new deal with
Warner Brothers Discovery. Warner Brothers Discovery has decided it's not
going to launch its streaming service Max in New Zealand. Instead,
it's going to allow Sky to broadcast all the movies
in the shows on Max through Sky's various platforms and
so on. And this will mean shows like The Big Bang,
Theory and Friends and Rick and Morty will be available
(00:21):
on Neon when the deal kicks in at the end
of the month. Sophie Maloney is SkyTV's chief executive. Hey Sophie,
you're to hear that.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
How you doing well?
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Thank you? Now, these guys have launched Max in Australia,
so why didn't they want to launch Max here?
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Well, we it's a long standing partnership with Warner Brothers
Discovery and we're just super excited that they've seen that
rather than going direct consumer and artia on New Zealand,
it's better to partner with Sky because we've got the
best customer base for them to engage them.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
So we're really excited about the deal. Here.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Was it simple economics? Was it just that you guys
offered them more for the product than they could make
by going to hundreds of thousands of US for it.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
I think there's economics and there's the ability to continue
to partner with us. I mean, our customer based across
Sky and Neon is impressive. So yeah, I'm sure that's
part of what they weighed up. But also there's a
there's a fair amount of effort that goes into direct
consumer for these players, and I think they looked at
the size of market and you know, we were the
best bet for them.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Why didn't they have that option in Australia.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
That's Stephanie for the Aussie market and for those guys
to answer for you. What I am excited about is
that customers are not only going to get their favorite
titles from HBO Max, but yeah, lots of deep library
content that we haven't had access to before.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
How long is it for because there is always the
risk obviously that this is just tiding them over for
a bit and then they go direct to consumer at
some stage.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
No, we haven't talked about the term because it's commercially
sensitive and it's a pretty competitive landscape. As you'll appreciate, heither,
So we never talk about it in terms of our
entertainment deals. Suffice to say that I'm confident that we're
going to continue to partner really, really well, and of course,
of customers keeping showing the content with us, then there's
no reason for Warner Brothers to launch direct.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
Hey, so I saw that they actually paid you. It
looks like four to five million. What happened there?
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Oh, look, that's just part of the we have to disclose,
you know, the how the deal works.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Because the prior deal is coming to an end.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
We're basically prepaid for some content that we haven't managed
to play out by the launch date. So that's just
part of the mechanics of giving effect to the new deal.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Did you see Gregor Paul's column at the weekend? Which
one was that that was the one that asked whether
you in New Zealand, like as in SkyTV and New
Zealand Rugby are partners or competitors?
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Yes? I did see that article, of course, And what's
the answer.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
Yeah, well, I think that there's there's obviously always speculation.
Does New Zealand Rugby want to think about a direct
consumer play? From our perspective, we're very comfortable to have
that conversation, and we've got a a really important customer
base who loved their Rugby. And if New Zealand Rugby
wants to do some of that on their platform and
(03:02):
still partner with us, and we can think about free
to wear as well.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
I think it's all part of it, right.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
Aren't they already doing it through the streaming platform that
they've got.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
They are doing it for markets offshore, and so they
do have the ability to do that like we used
to do with Rugby Pass. You might recall that we
said that as part of our solution, we sold that
to World Rugby.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
So yeah, they've got that, they've got that capability. But
I suppose the read.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
Across from this deal is that Warner Brothers Discovery looked
at the size of market and the audience opportunity and
revenue and decided it was better to partner with us,
take the check from us, and I suppose you could
make a read across to Rugby that said, we're very
comfortable to help Rugby with their global ambitions. We know
that that's been talked about a lot in terms of
(03:50):
the Silver Lake investment, so that for me is all
part of it. But yeah, in terms of this deal, Heather,
we're just super excited and we think you will be
because White Loaders will be with you on again soon.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
I like what you're doing now. I'm not finished with Rugby.
We'll come back to that. Are you getting are you
getting the vibes from ends are that they want to
actually come They want to offer us the product the
games direct to consumer here in New Zealand as well
as the global market.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Well, we're in.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
We're in good discussions with them about the local market
and having a conversation around what the value is, and
we certainly know that they've got ambitions to grow access to.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
The All Blacks brand abroad.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
We think there's a happy path to do that doing
a deal with us and having the content that we
will capture on the ground here for them to then
distribute offshore. So yeah, it's going to be definitely be
a big part of the conversation.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Okay. So I had assumed that the hold up in
the negotiations with you guys as to how it was
basically around how much you were going to pay for
this situation to continue, your partnership to continue, But now
sounds like maybe it may also be held up by
what their ambitions are and whether you are prepared to
accommodate that. Is that fair?
Speaker 3 (05:07):
I think there's a whole bunch that goes into it.
There's also the rights that they're bringing to market. You know,
there's been a lot of talk about the New Nation's Cup,
which is the end of year tours and inbounds being
rolled up into a new rights package and so that's
something that we're keen to see.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
What that looks like.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Is that there's value attached the all blacks heather as
you'll appreciate.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
Yeah, so there's a whole.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
Bunch of things that are in that conversation with New
Zealand Rugby, and yeah, we're excited to continue the conversation.
We know what the value of the rights are in
terms of what our customers are prepared to pay because
of the customers who are watching it and enjoying it,
and that all goes into the mix, right, So I'm
very keen to find a way to make sure our
(05:51):
customers can continue to.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Enjoy their Rugby on sky.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
And of course we need to work with New Zealand
Rugby to see what their offshore ambitions are too.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
How do you find Craig Fenton to work with.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Yes, So Craig and I've had a, yeah, a good relationship.
Has been a fair bit of time with him since
I met him at the Rugby World Cup last year.
So yeah, it was a big news to see today.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
Yeah, apparently rubbed up some people the wrong way. By
the sounds of things it ends.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
Are, I certainly wouldn't be able to comment on that.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
I was totally fishing for gossip there, as you can tell. Now,
listen on to the stuff that you were telling me
about White Lotus. When is that arriving?
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Hopefully January?
Speaker 1 (06:30):
Guess a bit of a way. Have you tried watching
The Penguin? Yes, I love it, Sophie, I tried.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Well.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
I've had to split one of the episodes up across
two nights because it was so grim and it's given
me nightmares. I mean, I don't know what that says
about me, but it seems like it's a really I'm
too old for that. It's quite a dark show, isn't
it is?
Speaker 3 (06:49):
It is quite dark, but there's also some lightness to
it too. I think it's I think it's really clear
writing and filming the way they've done it I do
have another one for you.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Then. Have you watched it?
Speaker 3 (07:03):
No?
Speaker 1 (07:03):
I think I've seen it added it's been pushed at me.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Yeah, six part British crime drammer. I think you'll enjoy.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
It's based on a real life story of Joan Hennington
Juell Thief. I'm not going to read, Sophie, what's that?
Speaker 1 (07:17):
It's the one with Sophie Turner and it isn't it?
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Yes? Correct? Yeah?
Speaker 1 (07:20):
Missus Jonas all right, brilliant. I think, oh yeah, don't
worry about Sweetpee. That sounds freaky as I'll watch this
one instead. Appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Yeah, enjoy it.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Thank you, Heather, Thank you very much, Sophie. Sophie Maloney's
Guide to be Chief Executive. For more from Hither Duplessy
Allen Drive, listen live to news Talks. It'd be from
four pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
Now. SkyTV shares have had a bit of a bump
today after the PayTV provider announced a new deal with
Warner Brothers Discovery. Warner Brothers Discovery has decided it's not
going to launch its streaming service Max in New Zealand. Instead,
it's going to allow Sky to broadcast all the movies
in the shows on Max through Sky's various platforms and
so on. And this will mean shows like The Big Bang,
Theory and Friends and Rick and Morty will be available
(00:21):
on Neon when the deal kicks in at the end
of the month. Sophie Maloney is SkyTV's chief executive. Hey Sophie,
you're to hear that.
Speaker 2 (00:27):
How you doing well?
Speaker 1 (00:27):
Thank you? Now, these guys have launched Max in Australia,
so why didn't they want to launch Max here?
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Well, we it's a long standing partnership with Warner Brothers
Discovery and we're just super excited that they've seen that
rather than going direct consumer and artia on New Zealand,
it's better to partner with Sky because we've got the
best customer base for them to engage them.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
So we're really excited about the deal. Here.
Speaker 1 (00:49):
Was it simple economics? Was it just that you guys
offered them more for the product than they could make
by going to hundreds of thousands of US for it.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
I think there's economics and there's the ability to continue
to partner with us. I mean, our customer based across
Sky and Neon is impressive. So yeah, I'm sure that's
part of what they weighed up. But also there's a
there's a fair amount of effort that goes into direct
consumer for these players, and I think they looked at
the size of market and you know, we were the
best bet for them.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Why didn't they have that option in Australia.
Speaker 3 (01:19):
That's Stephanie for the Aussie market and for those guys
to answer for you. What I am excited about is
that customers are not only going to get their favorite
titles from HBO Max, but yeah, lots of deep library
content that we haven't had access to before.
Speaker 1 (01:35):
How long is it for because there is always the
risk obviously that this is just tiding them over for
a bit and then they go direct to consumer at
some stage.
Speaker 2 (01:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
No, we haven't talked about the term because it's commercially
sensitive and it's a pretty competitive landscape. As you'll appreciate, heither,
So we never talk about it in terms of our
entertainment deals. Suffice to say that I'm confident that we're
going to continue to partner really, really well, and of course,
of customers keeping showing the content with us, then there's
no reason for Warner Brothers to launch direct.
Speaker 1 (02:04):
Hey, so I saw that they actually paid you. It
looks like four to five million. What happened there?
Speaker 3 (02:10):
Oh, look, that's just part of the we have to disclose,
you know, the how the deal works.
Speaker 2 (02:15):
Because the prior deal is coming to an end.
Speaker 3 (02:17):
We're basically prepaid for some content that we haven't managed
to play out by the launch date. So that's just
part of the mechanics of giving effect to the new deal.
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Did you see Gregor Paul's column at the weekend? Which
one was that that was the one that asked whether
you in New Zealand, like as in SkyTV and New
Zealand Rugby are partners or competitors?
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Yes? I did see that article, of course, And what's
the answer.
Speaker 3 (02:40):
Yeah, well, I think that there's there's obviously always speculation.
Does New Zealand Rugby want to think about a direct
consumer play? From our perspective, we're very comfortable to have
that conversation, and we've got a a really important customer
base who loved their Rugby. And if New Zealand Rugby
wants to do some of that on their platform and
(03:02):
still partner with us, and we can think about free
to wear as well.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
I think it's all part of it, right.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
Aren't they already doing it through the streaming platform that
they've got.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
They are doing it for markets offshore, and so they
do have the ability to do that like we used
to do with Rugby Pass. You might recall that we
said that as part of our solution, we sold that
to World Rugby.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
So yeah, they've got that, they've got that capability. But
I suppose the read.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
Across from this deal is that Warner Brothers Discovery looked
at the size of market and the audience opportunity and
revenue and decided it was better to partner with us,
take the check from us, and I suppose you could
make a read across to Rugby that said, we're very
comfortable to help Rugby with their global ambitions. We know
that that's been talked about a lot in terms of
(03:50):
the Silver Lake investment, so that for me is all
part of it. But yeah, in terms of this deal, Heather,
we're just super excited and we think you will be
because White Loaders will be with you on again soon.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
I like what you're doing now. I'm not finished with Rugby.
We'll come back to that. Are you getting are you
getting the vibes from ends are that they want to
actually come They want to offer us the product the
games direct to consumer here in New Zealand as well
as the global market.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Well, we're in.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
We're in good discussions with them about the local market
and having a conversation around what the value is, and
we certainly know that they've got ambitions to grow access to.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
The All Blacks brand abroad.
Speaker 3 (04:35):
We think there's a happy path to do that doing
a deal with us and having the content that we
will capture on the ground here for them to then
distribute offshore. So yeah, it's going to be definitely be
a big part of the conversation.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Okay. So I had assumed that the hold up in
the negotiations with you guys as to how it was
basically around how much you were going to pay for
this situation to continue, your partnership to continue, But now
sounds like maybe it may also be held up by
what their ambitions are and whether you are prepared to
accommodate that. Is that fair?
Speaker 3 (05:07):
I think there's a whole bunch that goes into it.
There's also the rights that they're bringing to market. You know,
there's been a lot of talk about the New Nation's Cup,
which is the end of year tours and inbounds being
rolled up into a new rights package and so that's
something that we're keen to see.
Speaker 2 (05:24):
What that looks like.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
Is that there's value attached the all blacks heather as
you'll appreciate.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
Yeah, so there's a whole.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
Bunch of things that are in that conversation with New
Zealand Rugby, and yeah, we're excited to continue the conversation.
We know what the value of the rights are in
terms of what our customers are prepared to pay because
of the customers who are watching it and enjoying it,
and that all goes into the mix, right, So I'm
very keen to find a way to make sure our
(05:51):
customers can continue to.
Speaker 2 (05:53):
Enjoy their Rugby on sky.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
And of course we need to work with New Zealand
Rugby to see what their offshore ambitions are too.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
How do you find Craig Fenton to work with.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
Yes, So Craig and I've had a, yeah, a good relationship.
Has been a fair bit of time with him since
I met him at the Rugby World Cup last year.
So yeah, it was a big news to see today.
Speaker 1 (06:13):
Yeah, apparently rubbed up some people the wrong way. By
the sounds of things it ends.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
Are, I certainly wouldn't be able to comment on that.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
I was totally fishing for gossip there, as you can tell. Now,
listen on to the stuff that you were telling me
about White Lotus. When is that arriving?
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Hopefully January?
Speaker 1 (06:30):
Guess a bit of a way. Have you tried watching
The Penguin? Yes, I love it, Sophie, I tried.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
Well.
Speaker 1 (06:37):
I've had to split one of the episodes up across
two nights because it was so grim and it's given
me nightmares. I mean, I don't know what that says
about me, but it seems like it's a really I'm
too old for that. It's quite a dark show, isn't
it is?
Speaker 3 (06:49):
It is quite dark, but there's also some lightness to
it too. I think it's I think it's really clear
writing and filming the way they've done it I do
have another one for you.
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Then. Have you watched it?
Speaker 3 (07:03):
No?
Speaker 1 (07:03):
I think I've seen it added it's been pushed at me.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
Yeah, six part British crime drammer. I think you'll enjoy.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
It's based on a real life story of Joan Hennington
Juell Thief. I'm not going to read, Sophie, what's that?
Speaker 1 (07:17):
It's the one with Sophie Turner and it isn't it?
Speaker 2 (07:19):
Yes? Correct? Yeah?
Speaker 1 (07:20):
Missus Jonas all right, brilliant. I think, oh yeah, don't
worry about Sweetpee. That sounds freaky as I'll watch this
one instead. Appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
Yeah, enjoy it.
Speaker 1 (07:28):
Thank you, Heather, Thank you very much, Sophie. Sophie Maloney's
Guide to be Chief Executive. For more from Hither Duplessy
Allen Drive, listen live to news Talks. It'd be from
four pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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