Foxtel has promoted Shaun James to director of Presto, the subscription Video-on-Demand service that launches on Thursday.
James, whose full title is director Presto and VOD, takes over from Jacqui Feeney, who is joining Fox International Channels as managing director of its Australia and New Zealand division.
James was general manager of music channels and head of digital for Foxtel Networks. Before joining in 2012 he spent four years as general manager, music, at XYZ Networks.
Pitched at the 70% of Australians who do not subscribe to pay TV, Presto enables consumers to stream Foxtel Movies live and on-demand, ad-free, for $19.99 a month. New customers will pay just $4.99 for the first month.
Foxtel Movies Disney will be added to the line-up on April 10. Pay-per-view titles are available for an additional fee. Customers can come and go each month with no lock-in contracts.
The service is available initially via PC and Mac computers and compatible iPads and soon, Android tablets.
Presto is launching three months after the originally targeted launch date but at a lower price, which was initially announced as $24.99 per month.
Foxtel CEO Richard Freudenstein said, “Starting tomorrow, Presto is officially open for business. Last month’s announcement that it was on the way created a big stir and we’re looking forward to sharing Presto’s library of recent favourites and classic hits with Australian movie lovers.
“Presto is a game changing new way to experience great movies, when and where you want, for a price per week equivalent to what you’ll pay for just one standard iTunes movie rental.”
“I’m delighted that Shaun James, who is such as strong member of the Foxtel team, has agreed to take on this role. Under his leadership, Presto is certain to go from strength to strength.”