Netflix has launched the first salvo in its war for the Australian streaming video audience, announcing a deal with iiNet that would see the service unmetered across all of the ISP’s fixed-line brands.
Presto, the video-on-demand service powered by Foxtel and Seven West Media, has returned fire, unveiling a deal with Telstra for its own unmetered offering, as well as a free three-month subscription for “eligible Telstra mobile customers.”
The agreement actually positions Telstra as a Presto reseller, allowing the telco to market Presto’s various subscription bundles across its range of products.
While Presto is already unmetered on Foxtel Broadband, Telstra fixed broadband now also allows users to stream Presto content without it counting toward their monthly data allowance.
A three-month subscription to Presto Entertainment — the TV and Movie bundle, valued at AU$14.99 a month — will be made available to Telstra pre-paid users when they activate Telstra’s Pre-Paid Freedom service before May 25, 2015. The same deal will be available for new and existing post-paid customers who re-contract before April 27, 2015.
Finally, Presto will be launching an app for the Telstra T-Box, although there is no firm timing around this deployment. According to Telstra, there are more than 600,000 T-Boxes in use.
The Telstra deal comes right on the back of Presto offering 30 days free trial to all new customers.