Advanced Television

Optus launches subscription management SubHub

August 18, 2021

By Colin Mann

Australian multiplay telco Optus says it is raising the bar on innovation with the introduction of Optus SubHub, describing it as a “world-first game-changer” that simplifies content subscriptions and memberships by putting them in one place and allowing eligible Optus customers to save money and discover new content options.

SubHub complements the recently announced Optus Living Network strategy, putting customers in control of how they personalise their technology and telco experience with unique network features.

“The pitch is simple – in an increasingly complex and growing universe of digital content subscriptions, our customers tell us that they find it hard to keep track of exactly what subscriptions they have, are active, and how much they pay for them,” explained Clive Dickens, Optus TV’s Content and Product Development VP, “With SubHub, we have turned the table on complexity with a single platform allowing customers to bundle their multiple new and existing subscriptions, enjoy them as they need them and pause them when they don’t, with just a few clicks.”

Customers will be able to access their content subscriptions and digital memberships through Optus’s My Optus App and www.SubHub.com.au.

Dickens advised that the launch of SubHub will include complimentary trial content subscriptions for customers, who can also then earn up to 10 per cent off when they bundle multiple paid content subscriptions in the new SubHub platform. “We’re upping the ante on simplicity and value by reducing customers’ content subscription costs through SubHub – which is great news if you want to save money, and even better news if you want to avoid subscription FOMO and subscribe to even more must-have content – but may not have previously been able to justify it,” he added.

Optus will launch SubHub with subscriptions and memberships available from a number of providers including Amazon Australia (Prime membership which includes access to free shipping on Prime eligible orders, Prime Video, Prime Gaming, Amazon Music, Prime Reading and more) and Kindle Unlimited which brings you millions of titles and thousands of audiobooks, in addition to health and wellbeing partner Calm, the leading mental wellness brand with the #1 app for sleep, meditation and relaxation.

Coming soon partners include Netflix, Paramount+, Fetch TV, BritBox, Fiit, pan-Asian entertainment content service iQiyi, factual content and entertainment specialist provider iwonder, and even more Amazon services which are scheduled to be integrated into SubHub over the remainder of the year.

“We have a range of popular content brands and subscription partners with SubHub and will continue to expand with more options customers love from other local and global partners,” said Dickens.

In addition to simplifying subscriptions, SubHub customers can also discover recommendations on new content they may not have tried.

Mobile commerce enabler DOCOMO Digital co-developed the next-generation smart subscription management and bundling suite for Optus.

“SubHub takes the clutter of managing multiple OTT subscriptions away from our customers to offer a simple user experience and more value from,” suggested Corin Dimopoulos, Optus Head of TV and Content. “We found the right partner in DOCOMO Digital to bring SubHub to market with their proven track record in direct carrier billing and subscription bundling,” Optus Head of TV and Content, said.

“As a progressive carrier, Optus is developing the next-generation digital services business beyond connectivity, and we are very excited to be a part of this journey,” added Jonathan Bennett, Chief Commercial Officer at DOCOMO Digital. “Our productised SaaS platform is purpose-built to reduce time-to-market and effort on the part of Optus’s internal teams while offering robust analytics, reporting and fraud prevention.”

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