StarHub wooing Netflix over potential partnership

In order to boost its Pay TV presence.

StarHub is in talks with internet television Netflix over a possible partnership and is also keen to buy the rights over Premier League broadcasts, the telco said in its results briefing.

Although StarHub did not reveal too much information about the possible deals, analysts at Barclays note that the potential partnerships are a bid to flex StarHub’s pay TV muscle.
StarHub is the dominant pay TV provider in Singapore, with its services boosted by its key Hubbing strategy. Pay TV is one of its key earnings drivers. 

“Management is confident that StarHub is growing in the right segment – mobile postpaid, fixed line – while Pay TV performance is resilient and broadband revenue is bottoming out,” said Barclays.

Early in September, Netflix revealed that it will commence operations in Singapore in early 2016 and will make the city-state its Asian hub.

"The combination of increasing internet speeds and availability of smart phones and TVs will provide consumers with the anytime, anywhere ability to enjoy their favourite movies and TV shows on Netflix,” said Netflix CEO Red Hastings in a statement.