Stuff Fibre enters streaming market
Internet provider Stuff Fibre is getting into the movie streaming business, offering a catalogue of about 600 movies that can be watched online for $1 to $7 each.
The streaming service, Stuff Pix, is testing its website and app platforms and will launch in early 2018.
Stuff Pix general manager Paddy Buckley said the movies were not exclusive to Stuff Pix, but its prices would be the cheapest on offer.
‘‘With no joining fee and no ongoing subscription fees, Stuff Pix users will pay a one-off price for the rental of each movie. The cost we are going to be offering will be the lowest in the market.’’
Any internet user will be able to stream the movies, some of which are produced by Disney, Lionsgate, Nbcuniversal, Village Roadshow and Warner Brothers.
Stuff Pix intended to serve the market previously served by video stores and would mostly compete with services such as itunes and Google Play, he said.
Buckley said consumers may assume Stuff Pix was a play against Netflix, but it was not. ‘‘This is a direct replacement of the DVD store.’’
Stuff Pix gets access to movies at what would previously have been the point when they were released on DVD – typically three to four months after they first screen in cinemas.
Stuff Fibre managing director and Stuff Pix chairman Sam Morse said Stuff Pix would stick to movie content, but would consider adding long-form documentaries to its offerings.
Telecommunications Users Association of New Zealand chief executive Craig Young said local consumers would respond well to the new platform run by a trusted New Zealand brand.
It was an ‘‘interesting play’’ by Stuff Fibre, and could be a bit late to reach the market, he said. ‘‘All the internet service providers are looking to evolve their offering to differentiate themselves.’’
However, Young said the pricing range and pay-per-movie model was competitive.
Stuff Fibre is a joint venture between Fairfax New Zealand and a business established by five former Vodafone and Sky Television executives.