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IQ2 upgrade $200

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Pricing costs and a launch date for the Foxtel IQ2 continue to keep everyone guessing.

A few weeks ago Knowfirst wrote that the HD channels would launch on June 2, a date that Foxtel said was “pulled out of a hat.” Some members on the DTV forums, are confirming an install on the same date.

The latest speculation on pricing, reportedly based on a Foxtel newsletter, isn’t quite so cheerful.

According to Gizmodo, “From the looks of things, it will set you back $200 to upgrade to the iQ2 box, then $10 per month to keep it.” Ouch.

“For a fresh install it’s a $299 fee for your first month of HD+, including the Platinum package.

“Package-wise, you’re looking at $9.95 per month for the HD sports channels (includes Fox Sports HD, ESPN HD and access to HD movies On Demand), which interestingly requires you to have the My Sport Package to be eligible. For the complete HD lineup, it’s $14.95 per month, but it appears to also require subscription to either the My Escape, My Playtime or My World SD packages.

“The other alternative is to opt for the HD Platinum package, which gives you everything – all Foxtel channels, the full range of HD channels and the iQ2 Box, plus two On Demand Movies – for $130.90 per month.”

TV Tonight awaits confirmation from Foxtel.

Source: Gizmodo, Knowfirst, DTV

16 Responses

  1. Foxtel should absorb the $200 upgrade cost to IQ2.

    The increase in the monthly fee is enough.

    In my opinion, uptake will be slow, particulalry with only five HD channels on offer.

    Yours,

    Ty

  2. Stephen,
    So you are happy with the content currently available on Foxtel? The Film channels are grossly overrated, the general entertainment channels like TV1,Arena,Sci-Fi,UK-TV and fox8 are full of repeats, and continually repeating the same friggin seasons over and over!! Yes I am a Foxtel IQ Subscriber(Platinum package- $115.95 per month), it ain’t worth $115.95 per month, Even the FBO, I rarely use even though I can get 2 free FBO films per month.
    Anyone who is contemplating upgrading to the IQ2 (HD version) , even with the 4 or 5 “NEW” channels, are nuts, not worth $200 installation.

  3. jjjdehg,
    You are of course entitled to your opinion but I find complaining about content of something you willingly pay a premium for a little perplexing. As for Battlestar Galactica, well 15 months waiting for season 2 of this excellent series is too long but I’m sure there are many factors including channel 10, syndication rights too name a couple stopping this series showing earlier.

    As for constant dreck and repeats well i suppose there is only so much good tv going around and you have to weigh up the option of paying for the crap to watch the programs you really enjoy.

  4. I must admit, I got sucked in into the hype and will dish out $200 and give it a go. Appart from upfront fee of $200 I’ll pay only $5 bucks more a month for a package with additional HD channels, because I’m returning IQ1, which costed me $15 a month extra, so it is not such a bad deal. BTW, I paid $150 for IQ1 when it came out so, IQ2 doesn’t look too pricey for me. Besides it also has HDMI interface, which fits perfectly into my theatre system Once they upgrade all the channels next year into real WS/HD channels once the new satellite is launched, it might replace FTA altogether.

  5. Stephen,
    Yeah there is *Some* stuff on Foxtel(Like Dexter and Rome on showcase), and some of the docos on the History Channel and also the CIA(Crime Investigation Australia show on CI, is excellent), but there is a fair bit of Dreck, as well as the repeating of shows on TV1 and Sci-Fi(as well as the constant repeating of seasons, I mean Sci-Fi channel repeated the first season of Battlestar Galactica for over 15 months, they started the 2nd season this year).
    I stand by my orignal thoughts and say that the “content on Foxtel is average as best”.

  7. I always love how people say the content on foxtel is average at best. I have the platium package and must say that there is always something to watch on over 45 channels. I mean what do you want? With free to air stll getting protected with first rights to all the current programing you have to make do with the rest. You get foxtel for a broader range of choice and if you don’t like what they have to offer don’t sign up or cancel it simple really. As for the upgrade i think the $200 is a little steep. That being said im leaning towards it as i love my sport especially ESPN so i’d probably get my monies worth

  9. I would be happy to pay an extra $10 for the IQ 2 just for the extra recording space if nothing else but I am not going to pay $200 on top of that and as for content of foxtel it sure beats free to air sure there is a lot of junk on foxtel but at least they show some of the aussie classics like a country practice and they actually show live games of thr NRL where as with channel 9 only show 1 live game a week

  10. I’m on my 4th IQ1 box, there is no way I will consider upgrading to the HD version when the current system they provide seems to be so filled with bugs. Some nerve asking a fee to upgrade in any case!!

  11. Im the same way..I have IQ1 and my tv is not HD and still doing me fine so I won’t be upgrading at all.The picture I get is clear and static free and thats all I want from my TV anyway.
    I never run out of something to watch on Foxtel SO I doubt I will miss out on anything with HD unless they change all their stations to HD..then it’s false advertising on their part and I shall demand a refund of their service.

  15. I was always confident my date of June 2nd was credible when I posted it to Knowfirst, but I did not think the iQ price would be so high – was expecting $100 tops to be truthful.

  16. I, for one, a current Foxtel Subscriber with the IQ1, have no plans on paying this outrageous charge($200) to upgrade to the HD Equlivent.
    Yes, there will probably be some that have a spare $200 lying around and will, but there will be alot alike myself that won’t.
    I don’t care how much better the picture will be, the current content on Foxtel is, average at best and is certainly not worthy of a $200 upgrade for a different box.

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