Keshet International (KI), Woodcut International and Seven Network are preparing to launch a FAST channel dedicated to true crime content on Australia’s free streaming platform 7plus before the end of this year.
Titled True Crime Files, this new FAST channel sees KI licensing and delivering nearly 100 hours of true crime content to 7plus.
“We’re seeing tremendous engagement across our suite of FAST channels with streamed FAST minutes up 84% year-on-year. Mono-thematic, single IP, and sports content are all resonating with our 7plus audience. We’re thrilled to be working with Keshet International on this volume of exceptional true-crime content produced by Woodcut Media and look forward to launching the True Crime Files FAST channel,” Richard Henson, director of distribution & content partnerships at Seven Network, said.
Launching in December, this initial launch package of factual content includes true crime content produced predominantly by Woodcut Media, one of the UK’s leading true crime doc producers, including the latest two seasons of the phenomenally successful World’s Most Evil Killers (S8 & S9: 40×60’), alongside Jo Frost on Killer Kids (4×60’, produced with Nanny Jo Productions), and Murdered in the Line of Duty (3×60’) – titles already represented by KI.
KI has also completed a separate representation deal with Woodcut International for an additional slate of true crime content for 7plus’ True Crime Files that includes: Surviving a Serial Killer (S1 & S2: 14×60’), How I Caught the Killer (S2: 10×60’), The Killer Within (10×60’), and one-off documentaries Knox: The Rob Knox Story (1×60’), Frankie Fraser’s Last Stand (1×60’), The Krays by Fred Dinenage (1 x 60’), and The Richardsons by Fred Dinenage (1 x 60’).
KI has further licensed two high-profile British true crime documentaries handpicked from its factual catalogue: Top Hat Productions’ Exposed: The Church’s Darkest Secret (2×60’), and Flicker Productions’ Wayne Couzens: Killer in Plain Sight (1×60’).
With a lineup of more than 50 FAST channels, Seven’s 7plus has grown its audience by 29 per cent this year.
“Australia’s VOD services and FAST channels are surging in popularity right now, so we are excited to be partnering with the team at 7plus to launch this True Crime Files FAST channel before the end of the year. In addition, this deal has opened the door for us to represent more of Woodcut’s fantastic true crime content with a view to exploiting other VOD and FAST channel opportunities across Asia-Pacific in the future,” Kelly Wright, KI’s managing director of Distribution added.
“Having developed a solid relationship with Keshet International which spans many years now, we are delighted to provide such key true crime content for the launch of this extremely exciting new channel. The demand for the genre continues to amaze us as producers/distributors, so seeing this new channel launch in Australia will extend our reach even further,” Koulla Anastasi, managing director, Woodcut International, said.
