Channel 4 makes first major global investment with paid-for US launch of Walter Presents
Channel 4’s online streaming service Walter Presents, launched one year ago as a way to introduce foreign-language drama to a UK audience, is set to expand into the US in March, marking the first time the broadcaster will attach a price tag to its service.
Walter Iuzzolino, host and co-founder of Walter Presents
Dubbed the ‘Netflix of international drama’, the streaming service launched in January 2016 on Channel 4’s on-demand service All4.
The service is fronted by Walter Iuzzolino, an Italian former television producer, who curates the collection of foreign-language drama. All of the shows Iuzzolino reviews are available to watch free of charge on the platform for UK viewers. Since launch it has accumulated over 18 million UK viewers.
The effort is a joint partnership between Channel 4 and Global Series Network (GSN), an independent company set up by Iuzzolino, Jason Thorp and Jo McGrath with backing from Channel 4 to serve as a parent company for World Drama, which houses non-US drama series.
Channel 4 now plans to take the concept to a US audience where foreign drama is scarcely represented on existing streaming services that favour US and UK output. It will be available in the US on a number of OTT platforms – as yet unconfirmed – and at WalterPresents.com.
However, US audiences will have to pay a subscription fee of $6.99 a month. Revenues generated from the subscriptions will likely be shared between the broadcaster, Iuzzolino and GSN, though Channel 4 would not share details of commercial terms. Channel 4's share of the revenue will be invested back into its content.
The viewing experience will be ad-free, taking cues from Netflix.
The service launches in March with 34 series available to view from 12 different countries. Each season will be made available in its entirety allowing viewers to binge watch the content. It will continue to premiere two new series each month and all the series will feature sub-titling. The service aims to host over 500 hours of foreign-language TV in its first year in the US.
It marks Channel 4’s first major investment outside of the UK and the first step in a planned global roll out, led by chief executive David Abraham.
The broadcaster is in talks with other broadcasters and platforms to expand Walter Presents into new territories after its US launch.
Iuzzolino said: “For years America has led the way with a string of iconic titles to become the undisputed home of great TV drama. But the rest of the world hasn’t stood still. Inspired by the quality of the very best U.S. drama, countries all over the globe are now producing extraordinary TV series, unforgettable stories which are becoming global smash hits. I am excited at the chance to introduce US viewers to this TV treasure trove.”
Jason Thorp, chief executive of GSN International Ltd, added: “The niche SVOD market has huge potential for growth and the US is the perfect starting place for Walter Presents’ international rollout. We’ve developed a strong, smart, standout brand, cleverly curated with a proven performance track record and we’re confident it will strike a chord with US audiences.”