While national broadcaster the ABC is set to lose Doctor Who to Disney+ after 56 years, Australia’s Seven Network is set to launch a new free-to-air channel after picking up a new deal with NBCUniversal.

The 7Bravo channel – dubbed the destination for reality and true crime – launches on January 15, with content also made available on BVOD channel 7Plus.

Expect Below Deck Down Under (pictured), Below Deck Adventure, The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, The Real Housewives of Dubai, The Real Housewives of Miami, Love Without Borders, Southern Hospitality and Real Girlfriends in Paris, and suchlike, plus NBCUniversal’s reality content, Oxygen true crime, named shows such as Jimmy Fallon, Kelly Clarkson and Judge Jerry, and awards shows.

Seven West Media managing director and chief executive officer, James Warburton says “with its strong female appeal, 7Bravo is a great addition to the Seven family”.

NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct-to-Consumer and Distribution ANZ managing director Chris Taylor says the channel will be “the free-to-air home of binge-worthy and award-winning shows”. A nod, we wondered, to Newscorp/Foxtel Management's Binge entertainment streaming channel?

Taylor said Bravo was a “powerhouse channel” in the US and a successful FTA network in New Zealand. “We know Australians are soon going to love being able to access the biggest and best entertainment brands all in one place – live and free.”

The deal comes as Nine reaches the end of a three-year agreement with Nine Entertainment.

The ABC announced today that it was losing sci-fi series Doctor Who to Disney+ following the streaming channel’s deal with the BBC for all other markets but the UK. Yesterday’s federal budget included an extra $87 million in funding to reverse a cut under the previous government.