Seven and Optus team up to stream Tokyo 2020 in 4K Ultra HD

UPDATE: July 2021
With the postponement of the Olympics to 2021, Seven, Optus and Fetch mutually decided to not pursue this opportunity, focussing our efforts and investment in becoming a proud partner of their exclusive HD and streaming coverage across Channel 7 and 7plus.

The Seven Network today announced it plans with Optus, to develop a channel featuring Seven’s coverage of Tokyo 2020 in 4K Ultra HD, which will be exclusively available to Optus 5G Home customers via Fetch.

The intention is for Seven’s coverage of the Olympics to be available in 4K Ultra HD exclusively for Optus 5G Home customers on Fetch Mighty set top boxes. An experience which will deliver unmatched streaming picture quality across a live linear channel.

Seven West Media Chief Revenue Officer, Kurt Burnette, said: “This will be the most-watched Olympics and the biggest digital event in Australian streaming history.”

“Seven’s coverage of the Olympics will be unprecedented, and with time zones differing by only one-hour, Tokyo 2020 will feel like a home Games for Australians.

“As our Australian athletes go for gold, Seven will be supporting them every step of the way, and through an exclusive partnership with Optus we will be able to deliver live event coverage in 4K Ultra HD exclusively to Optus 5G Home customers with Fetch Mighty set top boxes.”

With over 300 5G sites currently in Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and other key locations in NSW, Victoria and Queensland and 1200 sites planned by March 2020, Optus recently launched 5G in the home and on the mobile.

Optus is a long-term sponsor of the Australian Olympic team and is looking forward to working with Seven, the Official Rights Holder Broadcaster to create a new pop-up 4K Ultra HD Linear Live streamed channel that will showcase the best premium live events from Seven’s coverage of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

Optus VP Product Development, TV and Content, Clive Dickens, said: “A partnership with Seven will allow us to showcase the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 in 4K Ultra HD for the first time over a 5G network in Australia to Fetch Mighty customers.”

“This exclusive partnership is another element of our 5G ‘Video Experience Network’ which will allow us to ensure end-to-end delivery of 4K Ultra HD Video content to exclusive Optus customers.

“Australian’s appetite for 4K Ultra HD Video content is growing with anticipation following the launch of Optus 5G and we continue to work with premium Video On Demand content partners to build out their 4K Ultra HD offerings.”

To access the 4K Ultra HD channel of Seven’s coverage of Tokyo 2020, Optus customers will be required to have a Fetch Mighty, with an active Fetch subscription, a 4K-ready television and Optus 5G home broadband plan.

Fetch CEO, Scott Lorson, said: “Australians love their sport, and many have invested heavily in-home theatre systems to ensure the biggest and best possible viewing experience. The Olympic games represents the pinnacle in sports viewing, and Seven is set to provide unprecedented access during the 3 weeks of the Olympic Games.”

“As a result of this partnership, Optus subscribers with a Fetch Mighty will be in for a special treat, with access for the first time ever to a 4K Ultra HD channel streaming Seven's coverage of the Olympics. We are delighted to work with Optus and Seven on this ground-breaking initiative."

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For more details:

Seven
Jack McLintock
Corporate and Government Affairs, SWM
E: jmclintock@seven.com.au
T: 0450 608 022

Optus
Tara White
Corporate Affairs
E: media@optus.com.au
T: 02 8082 7850

About Seven

Seven West Media (ASX: SWM) is one of Australia’s most prominent media companies, with a market leading presence in content production across broadcast television, publishing and digital.

The company comprises of some of Australia’s most renowned media businesses, including the Seven Network and its affiliate channels 7TWO, 7mate, 7flix, 7food network and BVOD offering 7plus, as well as, The West Australian and The Sunday Times and production powerhouse Seven Studios. Home to iconic brands such as My Kitchen Rules, House Rules, Home and Away, Better Homes and Gardens, Australia’s leading news and breakfast programs 7NEWS and Sunrise, Seven West Media is also the broadcast partner of the AFL, Cricket Australia and the Olympics.

About Optus

Optus is the second largest provider of telecommunications services in Australia in terms of revenue. As a fully integrated telecommunications provider to more than 10 million customers, Optus delivers a comprehensive range of telecommunications products and services including: mobile and fixed line telephony; broadband services; multimedia entertainment and technology services; satellite services; and converged business telecommunications applications and solutions. The Optus 4G network provides coverage to 97.3% of the Australian population, and Optus also recently launched its 5G network. Having extended its Premier League rights and acquired the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Nations League, Optus Sport is the home of elite European football and provides customers with live and on demand content, along with expert analysis and highlights.

About Fetch

Fetch TV partners with leading internet service providers and to provide subscribers with an entertainment service delivered to the TV over a broadband connection to a set top box. In addition to a 1 terabyte personal video recorder for recording TV, the content line-up includes an in-home movie store with over 8,500 titles including the latest releases, a TV store with popular TV shows to purchase, leading SVOD services Netflix and Stan, Free to Air and subscription Catch-Up TV services, Pay per View access to UFC, apps including YouTube, as well as the option to add subscription entertainment channel packs from major content providers, enabling Fetch subscribers to access the things they love to watch all in one place with simple menu and one remote.