More Xbox and Box Set Streaming on the Cards

House of Cards may be one of the lowest-rating HD drama series on TV3 but it’s the network’s #1 video on demand drawcard.

Coinciding with today’s Blu-ray release of the first season, MediaWorks TV announced season two will be available to watch as a box set on its VOD platform, 3NOW, for 28 days from 11.30pm Sunday, an hour after it goes to air.

The broadcaster adopted the same strategy for season one to help launch 3NOW and reports it quickly became the network’s #1 VOD programme.

So far more than 230,000 episodes of the Netflix-commissioned drama have been watched in SD via the 3NOW platform on the web, mobile and tablet devices, and Samsung TVs.

“Having the entire first series of House of Cards on 3NOW as a box set was a first for a free-to-air network in this market and was extremely successful,” MediaWorks director of interactive Siobhan McKenna says.

“We had excellent feedback from users, clients and our sponsors, both for the series one box set, and the 3NOW App in general, and are delighted to be making the new season available in the same way.”

“We’re always looking for ways to enrich the viewing experience, and to make our content available on as many platforms as possible,” MediaWorks TV director of programming Mark Caulton says. 

“We know VOD services and other second screen activities are of benefit to TV viewership, and House of Cards represents a unique opportunity to give our audience something special.”

Meanwhile, NZ’s answer to Netflix, Quickflix, today launched on Xbox One as the service continues quarterly growth of 20% and adds new streaming options like Premium TV.

Here’s the press release:

Quickflix on Xbox One offers affordable subscription streaming of standard and high definition movies and TV shows, as well as premium latest release movies and current and recent TV drama series for a few dollars more, giving gaming and entertainment fans more ways to watch the content they love.

TV and movie streaming is growing rapidly among Kiwi consumers, with new state of the art entertainment devices like the Xbox One offering even greater choice and instant access to the best in entertainment content.

Quickflix’s streaming service has been growing at over 20 per cent per quarter as new content and new devices are added to its dramatic increase in fans engaging in video content, reporting more than 70 per cent of Xbox One owners using the platform to watch video content.

Paddy Buckley, Managing Director Quickflix NZ said, “We’re delighted to extend our partnership with Microsoft even further and for Quickflix to be the first movie and TV subscription streaming service available on the Xbox One in New Zealand.

“We aim to offer Kiwis compelling alternatives to traditional television viewing and this launch gives Xbox One owners yet another way to watch great entertainment.”

Steven Blackburn, Xbox Business Lead for Microsoft New Zealand said, “Offering our fans Quickflix on Xbox One is a great addition to our growing entertainment catalogue.

“Fans were pleased to receive Quickflix on Xbox 360 and now Xbox One fans can enjoy the same offering.

“With Xbox One we have a vision to deliver the best games and entertainment.

“The addition of Quickflix helps us strengthen this offering and we’re sure people will enjoy the great line up of local and international content.”