Sky Renews HBO for SoHo Throne

Sky today announced it has renewed its exclusive output deal with HBO in a multi-year, multi-platform deal that includes subscription video on demand (SVOD) rights for select titles like Game of Thrones, The Wire, True Blood, Boardwalk Empire, The Sopranos and Girls.

The news comes on the eve of Telecom launching its own Lightbox streaming service that initially will offer more than 5000 hours of content, including the NZ premieres of Vikings and 24: Live Another Day.

Sky’s director of entertainment content Travis Dunbar says the deal forms the backbone of SoHo, which has been embraced by lovers of quality television since its launch over two years ago.

“As ‘The Home of HBO’, SoHo is dedicated to offering customers the best possible experience by fast-tracking HBO’s ground-breaking series, cross-promoting and marketing them with genuine care, and continuing to invest domestically in the HBO and SoHo brands.

“It didn’t seem that long ago that HBO shows were relegated to late night slots and shamelessly delayed on network TV.

“I believe that HBO have recognised they have a partner in this market as obsessed with their great shows as they are and it’s terrific to further extend our working relationship with them.”

Jennifer Bowen, HBO’s senior vice president, International Distribution, says the care and commitment Sky has shown to HBO content via SoHo is at the highest level of their global partners.

“Our partnership with Sky and SoHo is one we are incredibly proud of.  They treat their viewers intelligently and take great pride in ensuring our product is well looked after.

“We are excited to be extending our relationship to include an exclusive collection of SVOD rights for New Zealand as we know they will show the same care and consideration for their on demand service subscribers as they currently do for SoHo customers.”

Sky will launch its SVOD services towards year’s end.