Moonlight TV, Australia’s IPTV service, set to shine

26 November 2007

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Sydney- Moonlight TV, Australia’s first IPTV service, is due to launch Dec. 1, initially offering seven channels.
Owned by Prime Media Group following its acquisition of the Becker Group, the ad-supported service will be free to users. The line-up spans these categories: Amazing; Documentary; Entertainment; Health & Fitness; Lifestyle: Reality; and Tips.
Moonlight TV General Manager Greg Petherick tells Television Asia he has acquired more than 300 hours of programming from around the world, drawing on such suppliers as Granada and the BBC. The service will also utilize Becker’s library.
Petherick said he got the idea of the service two years ago when frequent trips to MIPTV and Mipcom alerted him to the fact there is “so much great niche product which (broadcast) networks bypass or can’t use.”
He said sub-set channels will be introduced gradually, including a channel dedicated to short films. He’s had encouraging feedback from potential advertisers and sponsors, and notes they are waiting to see how the channels look and, over time, how many eyeballs they attract.
He’s relying on word of mouth and viral marketing to spread word of the new service, plus 30-second commercials which will be aired at sister company Moonlight Cinema’s outdoor screenings.
Initial Moonlight TV line-up includes reality shows Shock Treatment, Ladette to Lady and Gay Army; observational doc Furry Tales; entertainment series Hollywood On Set; makeover series How to Look Good Naked; and how-to series Nuts & Bolts.