Quickflix to launch in New Zealand
March 29, 2012
By Colin Mann
Quickflix – dubbed Australia’s answer to Netflix – is crossing the Tasman Sea to launch in New Zealand, becoming the country’s first unlimited movie and TV streaming service.
The Quickflix subscription streaming service offering unlimited viewing will retail at NZ$16.99 (€10.41) per month, however for a limited period it will be available at an introductory price of just $9.99 a month. Subscribers will be able to watch unlimited movies and television series digitally streamed to Windows-based computers, Apple Macs computers and Sony’s range of Internet‐connected Bravia TVs, Blu‐ray players and PlayStation 3.
Over the coming months, both Panasonic and Samsung will stream Quickflix through their range of connected TVs, as well as Samsung’s Galaxy Tablets and smartphones. The service will also be made available to users of Apple iPhones and iPads in May. Quickflix will continue to roll out its service on further connected devices throughout the course of the year.
“The advent of smart devices in the home is transforming the choices available to consumers all over the world,” noted Quickflix Chief Executive Officer Chris Taylor. “The Quickflix streaming ‘smart channel’ will change the way Kiwis experience movies and entertainment services. No boxes, no contracts, just great content on demand, at an affordable price,” he claimed.
In a joint statement, Quickflix Executive Chairman and Founder, Stephen Langsford and Taylor said that Quickflix was positioned for the growing wave of consumer demand for IPTV delivered movies and TV which was occurring globally. “The investment we have made in our technology platform, integration in connected devices and Hollywood content is being leveraged as we deliver streaming into New Zealand” they said.
Major Hollywood studios Warner Bros, Sony Pictures, NBC Universal and MGM, along with Lakeshore Entertainment and Pinnacle Films, will titles from their catalogue of feature films and BBC will deliver British drama and comedy television on demand. Quickflix expects to announce more participating film and television studios over the coming weeks.
To complement the unlimited subscription service, selected devices will offer the latest release films on a pay‐per‐view basis for NZ$6.99.
Taylor expects Quickflix’s launch to provide a real alternative to the existing entertainment options in New Zealand. “New Zealanders’ entertainment choices have been far too limited for far too long. In our view there is not enough competition in New Zealand and consumers deserve more choice of content, on demand without the exorbitant price tag. Quickflix will do its part to drive a new era in on‐demand entertainment in New Zealand,” he declared.
Communications and Information Technology Minister Amy Adams welcomed Quickflix’s entry into the New Zealand market. “This is one of the early signs that the market understands the new opportunities that will be available under the ultra-fast broadband initiative (UFB),” she said. “These are exciting times as UFB changes and challenges existing approaches. It brings considerable opportunities for new offerings in many areas. Having Quickflix enter the market means customers will have access to content that suits them on demand. It offers services in a more flexible way than traditional subscription and free-to-air broadcasters we are familiar with.”