New media telco brings V8 Supercars content to fans

V8 Supercars is pleased to announce OVO as its official telecommunications partner.

Australian-based telecommunications company My Mobile Data announced the launch of a disruptive new market-first hybrid mobile phone provider OVO that brings content streaming direct to fans at no extra cost.

Reinventing the traditional telecommunications model, OVO provides specific allowances for the consumption of entertainment and ‘OVO content’ for sports and entertainment fans, in addition to general data allowances for everyday use and unlimited national calls and SMS.

To launch to market in early December, the new media telco’s first partnership is a three-year deal with V8 Supercars, with OVO providing a unique content offering for V8 fans direct to their phone & tablet, including live trackside commentary, V8 Supercars archive footage and much more.

The brainchild of a successful entrepreneur and two former marketing and telecommunications executives, David Colvin, Matt Goodlet and Matt Jones, OVO is further galvanised by Chairman Barry O’Brien.

O’Brien is an icon in the media industry, recognised with an Order of Australia medal for his services in media, and most recently known for launching full service media agency Atomic 212o last year.

My Mobile Data Chairman Barry O’Brien said OVO’s intent was to challenge the big players by offering entertainment and content first, supported by a telco service without lock in contracts.

He said the business structure was a hybrid between a Telecommunications provider and Subscription Video & Audio streaming on Demand provider.

“Just as Netflix has redefined how consumers watch programmes, OVO changes how fans engage with sports and entertainment and consume content,” he said.

“OVO empowers fans to connect with what they’re most passionate about. And V8 Supercars is our first media/entertainment partnership. Expect more announcements in 2016.”

V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton welcomed OVO as its official telecommunication partner. “This is fantastic for OVO customers and our fans who have access to a unique content offering,” he said. 

With more than 3.5 million V8 Supercars fans in Australia, OVO is targeting a large audience with its no contract prepaid plans that put the power in the customers’ hands.

Customers are able to access OVO V8 Supercars content and audio via both a web app and the V8 Supercars website, thanks to a partnership model that enhances brand loyalty.

The new media telco offers OVO Time for viewing V8 Supercars content, meaning users don’t have to worry about how much data they’re using up to view videos, live audio streams and race statistics. 

“OVO rises above networks and contracts. It’s not about the network, it’s about the content and the fan and deepening the experience.

“We work with our partners to enhance loyalty to their brands by bringing people to their properties and giving their otherwise unused content value.”

Research by My Mobile Data shows a large appetite for the service, with 81 per cent of V8 Supercars fans polled using their mobiles as the main device they use to consume entertainment. 

In addition, almost 40 per cent use secondary devices when watching V8 Supercars races at home and most fans crave lower prices or more generous data allowances.

“This is a significant foundation relationship with V8 Supercars that will cater for a large fan base not currently well-serviced by telcos, yet one that craves content,” O’Brien said.

The web-based business is backed by an Australian-based contact centre to support fans and is targeting its second major content partnership in quarter one of 2016.

OVO (powered by the Optus 4G network) will commence operation in early December, with SIM cards purchased online and delivered via mail. Full access to content is provided immediately upon purchase.