Screen Shot 2015-07-31 at 7.57.54 am

Media Release: Friday, August 14, 2015

Presto hacks into MR. ROBOT
The new TV series infiltrating global networks
– Australian premiere on Presto
– Watch the trailer here

MR. ROBOT, one of the hottest and most talked about shows of the moment, will have its Australian television premiere on Presto after the SVOD streaming service secured rights to the drama-thriller series from NBCUniversal under a joint deal with Foxtel.

In March, the first episode of MR. ROBOT premiered in the US at the South by Southwest Film Festival where it won the Audience Award for Episodic Television and then later aired on the USA Network on June 24. The first seven episodes of the critically lauded 10-part series from Universal Cable Productions will now be available to stream on demand for Presto TV and Presto Entertainment bundle customers beginning on August 14. The remaining episodes of Season 1 will be added to the Presto service shortly after their US broadcast.

MR. ROBOT has been described as “The Social Network meets ‘Occupy Wall Street’”, and has already won widespread critical acclaim – an “A”-rated review (Entertainment Weekly), the “most buzzworthy new show” (Ad Age), “a modern classic” (www.forbes.com), “one of the best shows of the summer” (www.nerdist.com) and “damn near perfect” (www.cinemablend.com).

The series follows Elliot (Rami Malek, The Pacific), a young computer programmer who works as a cyber-security engineer by day and as a vigilante hacker by night. A loner with a social phobia of being around most people, Elliot believes in using his computing skills to help those he cares about, as well as to punish those he believes are bringing harm to others.

However, Elliot finds himself at a crossroad when a mysterious leader (Christian Slater, The Adderall Diaries) of an underground hacker group recruits him to destroy the firm he is paid to protect. Compelled by his personal beliefs, Elliot struggles to resist the chance to take down the multinational CEOs he believes are running (and ruining) the world.

MR. ROBOT also stars Portia Doubleday (Her), Carly Chaikin (Suburgatory) and Martin Wallström (Simple Simon). Sam Esmail (Comet) is writer and executive producer. Anonymous Content’s Steve Golin (True Detective) and Chad Hamilton (Breakup at a Wedding) also serve as executive producers.

“MR. ROBOT is daring piece of television which tackles the controversial subject of hacking. It has critics and audiences raving, especially about the standout performance of Rami Malek as Elliot, and we are delighted to make the series available first in Australia as a premiere to Presto subscribers,” Presto Interim CEO Shaun James said.

“MR. ROBOT continues Presto’s commitment to provide compelling content offering for its customers and follows the recent acquisition of the David Duchovny starring drama series Aquarius which has become the most watched series ever on the service since launch.”

“MR. ROBOT is a truly unique, contemporary and culturally relevant drama series. Since its premiere a few months ago, the show has already achieved great success, both with viewers and in the media, and we are proud to partner with Presto and bring this series to Australian audiences,” said Chris Taylor, VP, NBCUniversal International Networks & Distribution, Australia & New Zealand.

The first seven episodes will be available from Friday, August 14 with the remaining episodes of MR. ROBOT available to stream on demand each week on Presto shortly after they air on the USA Network.

For new subscribers, Presto is currently offering a free 30-day trial^ of the Presto Entertainment bundle subscription.

-Brad