Presto TV is looking to hire up to 10 staff after the formalising of the joint venture between Foxtel and Seven West Media.
The streaming service has vowed to dramatically increase its content after launching US drama Aquarius on May 29 as its first Australian exclusive.
Shaun James, director of Presto and on demand at Foxtel, is acting as interim CEO of the JV while the management team is formed.
James tells IF he is hiring heads of commercial and legal as well as boosting the marketing, acquisitions and customer service areas. The 10 new hires will increase the total staff to approximately 25.
"The SVOD market is growing rapidly," James says. "It reflects the fact that people are increasingly consuming content in different ways."
The JV board comprises Foxtel CEO Richard Freudenstein and chief operating officer Rohan Lund, Seven West Media CEO Tim Worner and chief revenue officer Kurt Burnette.
Presto TV costs $9.99 a month or $14.99 as part of the Presto Entertainment TV and movies bundle. Quickflix has signed a re-sale agreement to replace its SVOD service with Presto content, which is subject to raising the funds to upgrade the user interface. That would give Presto access to Quickflix's 124,000 paying customers.
Presto is soon expected to announce its first Australian commission. Meanwhile Jungleboys is filming No Activity, a 6-part improvised comedy that follows two detectives on a stakeout, starring Patrick Brammall and Darren Gilshenan, for Presto rival Stan.
Also, Stan is developing Wolf Creek, a TV spin-off of the horror franchise, with Greg Mclean’s Emu Creek Pictures and Screentime; and Enemies of the State, the saga of controversial High Court Judge and Attorney-General Lionel Murphy, from Essential Media and Entertainment and Little Mates.
The Wolf Creek project is attracting international interest and could get the green light soon.