Foxtel Now

Foxtel Now is an Australian internet television service which offers subscriptions to over 50 live channels and hundreds of video on-demand titles. The service is owned by Foxtel, and officially launched on 11 August 2013 as Foxtel Play.

Foxtel Now
Type of site
Video on demand, OTT, live streaming
Available inEnglish
HeadquartersSydney, New South Wales,
Australia
Area servedAustralia
OwnerFoxtel
ServicesPay television
Streaming media
URLfoxtel.com.au/now
RegistrationMonthly subscription required to access content
Launched11 August 2013 (11 August 2013)
Current statusActive

The service is available on internet connected devices such as computers, game consoles and selected smart TV's and Blu-ray players. In addition, Foxtel Now subscribers have access to Foxtel's Foxtel Go app for smart phones and tablets.

History

On 14 March 2013 at the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA) conference, Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany announced that in August 2013 the company would launch a new service named Foxtel Play. The service is an internet television alternative to Foxtel's existing cable and satellite pay television service, allowing consumers to subscribe without a lock-in contract and access it via a range of internet compatible devices (as opposed to requiring a new iQ4 set-top box).[1]

The service launched on 30 July 2013, nearly two weeks ahead of its official launch of 11 August 2013. At launch, the service offered over 40 live channels and hundreds of video on demand titles, with subscriptions starting at $25 a month and 6 subscription packages on offer.[2]

Australian singer Guy Sebastian was the ambassador for Foxtel Play.[3][4]

In October 2016, Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany announced that Foxtel Play would receive a new package structure with lower pricing from December that year, to coincide with the company's closure of streaming service Presto.[5] The service would be available from $10 per month for each of the Documentary, Lifestyle, or Kids packages, and for $15 per month for either of the Drama or Entertainment packages. Sports and Movie packages would be available to subscribe as an addition to at least one starter package. As well as access to linear channels, the service would also make associated on-demand and catch up content available to subscribers.[6]

Amidst rumours of an impending rename of the service, Foxtel announced in May 2017 that it would be removing 19 channels across its various Foxtel Play packages.[7] A re-allocation of resources towards more on-demand content, based on a review of customer viewing habits was provided as the reason for the reduction in linear channels;[8] however, pricing for the service's entry level packages was to remain unchanged.[9] On 6 June 2017, Foxtel announced a company wide rebrand, which was to include the renaming of Foxtel Play to Foxtel Now from 7 June 2017.[10] Other changes included the addition of high-definition (HD) availability and Chromecast support on the service.

Foxtel Now was not the same product as Foxtel Play. Foxtel Play, irrespective of device, supported playback only in Standard Definition (SD). The re-branded Foxtel Now product supports playback in both SD and HD, however has not been rolled out on all Foxtel Play compatible devices yet.[11] Foxtel announced their intention to roll out the Foxtel Now product to other devices throughout the second half of 2017, but only the PlayStation 4, Telstra TV and Sony TVs have had Foxtel Play apps upgraded to Foxtel Now.

On 9 November 2017, Foxtel unveiled the Foxtel Now Box.[12] A custom-made Technicolor Skipper running Android TV, the box is the flagship device for the Foxtel Now product. The launch included a small controversy, as Foxtel had previously promised the box would ship with the Netflix app available. The Netflix logo was included on some promotional material, which was deleted. During the launch event, Foxtel hinted that it was Netflix who was slowing the process, not yet having certified the box. However as of November 2019, the Netflix app has been made available through the Foxtel Now box, and all newer models of the box are now sold with the app pre-installed.[13]

Streaming channels

The following is a list of the subscription packages on offer and the respective channels included:

Pop & Lifestyle (starter packs)
Drama
Sport
Movies
  • Foxtel Movies Action
  • Foxtel Movies Comedy
  • Foxtel Movies Kids
  • Foxtel Movies Family
  • Foxtel Movies Greats
  • Foxtel Movies Hits
  • Foxtel Movies Premiere
  • Foxtel Movies Romance
  • Foxtel Movies Thriller
  • Lifetime Movie Network
Additional channels included in every package
Kids (only available via purchasing all packs)
Docos (only available via purchasing all packs)

Compatible devices

The following is a list of Foxtel Now (4K and HD) compatible devices.

The following is a list of Foxtel Now (SD) compatible devices.[2][17]

  • LG Smart TV's (selected 2013 models)
  • PlayStation 3 (since 1 April 2014)[18]
  • Samsung Smart TV's (2012-2015 models, Any Smart Hub enabled 2012-2013 model Blu-Ray Players and Home Theatre Systems)
  • Sony (2014 model Smart TVs)[19]

Foxtel Now for Xbox 360 was discontinued on 1 July 2016.

See also

References
  1. Knox, David (14 March 2013). "Game-changer as Foxtel offers subscriptions on the Go". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  2. Knox, David (30 July 2013). "Foxtel Play offers first-ever internet-only subscriptions". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  3. Knox, David (12 August 2013). "Foxtel Play signs Guy Sebastian". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  4. Knox, David (26 September 2013). "Guy Sebastian sings for Foxtel Play". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  5. Knox, David (4 October 2016). "New pricing for Foxtel Play". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  6. Knox, David (6 September 2016). "'Low cost, low commitment' Foxtel Play to relaunch in December". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  7. Samios, Zoe (21 May 2017). "19 channels deleted from Foxtel Play lineup but broadcaster won't say why". Mumbrella. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  8. "Channel packs on Foxtel Now". 11 June 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  9. Knox, David (22 May 2017). "Foxtel dropping 19 channels from Foxtel Play streaming". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  10. Knox, David (6 June 2017). "Foxtel Now lands with $10 entry, HD & Chromecast". TV Tonight. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  11. "Foxtel Now general device information". Foxtel. Foxtel. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  12. Turner, Adam (8 November 2017). "Foxtel Now streaming puck takes pay TV beyond the box".
  13. https://www.foxtel.com.au/about/media-centre/press-releases/2019/foxtel-now-box-streams-netflix.html
  14. "Foxtel Now on PlayStation®4 & Foxtel Play on PlayStation®3". Foxtel. Foxtel. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  15. "Foxtel Now streams to Apple TV with AirPlay". Foxtel. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  16. "Foxtel Now on mobile & tablet". Foxtel. Foxtel. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
  17. "How it works". Foxtel. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  18. Knox, David (1 April 2014). "Foxtel Play now on) PS3". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  19. Knox, David (13 April 2015). "Foxtel Play added to Xbox One, Sony smart TVs". TV Tonight. Retrieved 17 April 2015.
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