NBCUniversal International said Wednesday it will launch its subscription-based reality TV streaming service Hayu “in multiple Central and Eastern European countries” in the fourth quarter.
“This builds on the service’s continued success in other European markets and will bring the number of territories for the streaming service to more than 40,” said the company, part of Comcast’s entertainment arm NBCUniversal. The streamer will launch direct-to-consumer in the new territories “on a full range of devices – mobile, tablet, TV, console and web.”
Hayu offers more than 300 shows and more than 9,000 episodes of reality TV content, including franchises like The real housewives, Below Deck and Million dollar listing. It also offers English language programming in unscripted subgenres such as home and design, dating, cooking, crime and fashion. “Subscribers don’t have to worry about spoilers, as the vast majority of US shows are available on Hayu on the same day as their US broadcast,” the company stresses.
“As the destination for world-renowned reality content, this expansion into Central and Eastern Europe continues to meet our goal of bringing the best reality TV to even more fans of the genre,” said Hendrik McDermott, director, direct-to- consumer, worldwide at NBCUniversal. “We are excited to launch our direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service in the region, where we look forward to partnering with platforms and telcos to serve their young female audience.”
Hayu was launched in the UK, Ireland and Australia in March 2016, followed by Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark in November 2017. Canada followed in September 2018, with the Benelux countries in December 2018. The service then became available in South East Asia, namely the Philippines, Hong Kong and Singapore, launched in Germany and Austria in October 2019 and in November 2020. In early 2021, Hayu was launched in Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Switzerland, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.