Australian production studio WTFN has agreed a deal with commercial broadcaster Nine Network to drive new revenue streams from global FAST and VOD platforms, starting with the creation of a new channel called Real Emergency.
WTFN’s distribution arm, Fred Media, will launch the Real Emergency FAST channel in Q2, 2025. The channel will prominently feature two of Nine Network’s long-running returning series Paramedics (7 seasons, 75 eps) and Emergency (5 seasons, 50 eps, pictured), both of which are produced by WTFN. Real Emergency will launch on 9Now in Australia and will be distributed to major FAST platforms worldwide.
Meanwhile, Radar, WTFN’s digital distribution arm, will roll out Real Emergency VOD channels across YouTube, Facebook and other social video platforms.
WTFN chief commercial officer Derek Dyson said the deal was an example of the company’s ability to drive “total distribution” solutions for its partners. “By bringing together our Fred and Radar divisions, we can work with rights holders to get their content monetised on every conceivable platform. It’s all about unlocking new revenue streams from previously underutilised rights,” he said.
Dyson added: “I think the work done by Channel 4 in the UK, in demonstrating the value that can be extracted by distributing broadcast content on a wider range of channels, particularly in the home territory, has opened the eyes of networks worldwide. Its activities have neutralised the concern that publishing on channels like YouTube will cannibalise audiences. On the contrary, it is successfully reaching previously untapped viewers and advertisers and enhancing engagement.”
Meanwhile, Radar also announced the launch of a new partnership with independent Canadian producer Omnifilm Entertainment. Radar has launched a dedicated YouTube Channel for Jade Fever, its popular factual series that follows a long-established jade mining family in the wilds of Canada. Jade Fever has run for seven seasons and was first broadcast on Discovery Channel Canada.
