Still on Foxtel’s “To Do” list
The dream of an iQ in every subscriber home echoes Herbert Hoover's 1928 election promise of "A chicken in every pot." But what was left of the next generation launch yesterday?
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under Subscription
Yesterday’s Foxtel news may have been the height of excitement for Kim Williams and Foxtel executives. The dream of every subscriber home having an iQ is reminiscent of Herbert Hoover’s 1928 election promise of “A chicken in every pot, a car in every garage,” or Bob Hawke’s promise that “By 1990, no Australian child will be living in poverty.” At least this one will be realised.
The iQ, like many PVRs, does revolutionise personal viewing. Foxtel’s push to free up access to content and allow consumers to build their own programming is to be applauded.
But the splashy affair left a number of other issues unanswered, many of which had been expected with the launch of the Optus Satellite.
Satellite subscribers in a number of cities are still waiting for the Seven Network to be made available to them, which is currently enjoyed by cable viewers, and satellite viewers in Sydney. They continue to be frustrated at switching platforms between Foxtel and Seven just to be able to enjoy some of their favourite shows.
ONE is also only available to cable viewers.
There was no confirmation of GO! which Nine says is due in late October to Channel 129.
So did Foxtel simply not want to acknowledge the Free to Airs on their big day? Perhaps.
But there were other issues in Pay Television that were also left unanswered.
Subscribers are still waiting for some channels to go from 4:3 to 16:9 widescreen.
In its Download Service, Mac users who don’t have Windows are left out.of the pitcure. It works with Windows only.
As far back as November 2008 Kim Williams flagged the iQ2GO USB stick, that would allow subscribers to transfer content between the iQ2 and PCs and it would allow users to avoid hefty download limits with ISPs. It was promised for the first part of 2009 in place of a PSP-type mobile television device.
“Why would you have a little player when you can have a stick that can go into any device?” Mr Williams said.
Indeed.
The USB connection port remains inactive on the iQ2.
iPhone users remain frustrated that they cannot use the iPhone in conjunction with the Remote Record facility to programme shows. No iPhone application has been offered by Foxtel and the iPhone is incompatible with websites using Flash.
The iQ Guide is getting a snazzy makeover with lots of sexy search and personalisation functions (software rolls out to iQ2 from October 1, and iQ from November 1 -completed by November 15). But there was also no indication the Guide would match the 14 day programming that is available on the Foxtel website.
It would also be nice if Box Office movies weren’t automatically deleted off the iQ at such a rapid speed. Some viewers have a change in plans between ordering the movie and watching it. It can mean they end up paying for a movie they don’t even get to see…
And presumably no sign of Foxtel returning some of its customer support from overseas back to Australia….
But let’s not spoil the party. Foxtel still leaves most of the Free to Airs for dead when it comes to technology. As they say, you get what you pay for.
Corrected.
28 Responses
well if they want me to subscribe they would want to connect the apartment free of charge, and not charge us $10,000 connection fee. We have branded foxtel points in our rooms, entire building is wired up, however we need to connect to the street which telstra will charge $10000 as a basic connection cost, they said price could exceed $30k
@ mac: CNN Headline News, which is a part of CNN US service, is available in Hong Kong through NOW Broadband pay-TV.
Jer, but if the programme is repeated 3 times in 24hrs does it matter what time you record it?
foxtel and austar dont get it all i want better value better shows not so many repeats for what i pay already there starting to be like mobile phone companys pay to much for stuff u dont want
Timeshift channels help save recording clashes, as you can only record 2 channels at once.
Suprised Foxtel was able to secure Australian rights to KidsCo instead of securing Australian rights for additional sister channels for Disney/Nickelodeon (eg. Disney XD and Nicktoons).
Here’s an Idea, Disney XD and Nicktoons plus Cartoon Netowrk, Disney Channel and Nickelodeon all with timeshift.
In Perth we don’t have 7, 9, 10 on Satellite. We also only have ABC2+SBS2 on Eastern states time so 3 hours ahead. I wrote to Foxtel a couple of years ago and asked why they can’t allow for the 3 hour time difference by repeating the loop of primetime programmes at 10.30pm EST so all the channels have something decent to watch. I got a very curt reply back from them saying I should buy an IQ box (i already had one) then I wouldn’t need timeshifted programmes!! So now when everyone is given an IQ box we get more timeshifted channels.
Despite all the hoo haa foxtel still lacks in tru value. The packages are overpiced by about 30% in my opinion. There is not enough flexiblity for customers to build their own packages at reasonable cost. Service failures sometimes for days on end are never met with refunds one has to fight tooth n nail to get an adjustment.
Remote control units when worn out are to be replaced by the customer yet Foxtel owns these units.
Its time for a foxtel user group to steer the $$gurus$$ at fox in the right direction for customer service and value. After all Foxtel has more clout than Telstra and no accountabilty in consumer land.
Noticed that John With Eastenders last night,with no ads.They don’t tend to have many anyway for this show,but it was a nice surprise.I hardly watch Fox8 or Arena but those two channels certainly need some cut back on ads.As they are virutally commercial stations….Thanks for the latest story David
Not having downloads available on the Mac is a bad move. I’ll have to use PC virtualisation on the Mac in order to make use of it which is a hassle.
Does anyone know how the deal between Foxtel and local network stations works?
Does Foxtel pay Seven to carry ATN, HSV, BTQ etc, or does the Seven Network pay Foxtel to carry those 3 stations?
IQ platinum subscribers are anot getting a free IQ. I currently pay $106 + $10. With the changes it goes to $120. So where is my free IQ.? I have been paying for my “free” IQ for the last 4 years.
I’m glad you put the IQ issue in with the Bob Hawke line, as this was just smoke and mirrors as well.
If they seriously are going to give away free IQ’s then the price should only be $110 and not $120.
I’m just now waiting for the price of multi-room to increase.
David, a few points…
a) You can’t expect Foxtel to promote the availability of a competitors channel on it’s service, its the FTA channels that need to communicate the availability or reasons for the lack of availability of their channels through different platforms.
b) You are not charged for FBO movies recorded but not watched, so if your plans change and you don’t get to watch an already recorded FBO movie, just re-record it.
Just reinforces why I refuse to get Foxtel.
@matt j, cnn international is currently only produced in 4:3, so it would be up to cnn not foxtel as to when it becomes widescreen, cnn US is in ws and hd but is not made available in any countries outside the US and canada.
Well I for one aren’t really impressed by yesterdays announcement.
1. Why do we need timeshift channels. I thought that was the point of having a PVR, so we never need to miss anything. Timeshift channels are a waste of valuable space. They should have filled them up with more new channels.
2. Why are we still watching some channels in 4:3. Even the FTA channels aren’t broadcast in that anymore.
3. And this is one that really pi**es me off. Why should I have to pay an extra $200 to get HD IQ2. They are already charging more for it per month. All customers should have the right to choose an IQ2 at no extra charge as they will be paying for it in the long run.
Very dissappointed Foxtel.
FTV in WS/HD
CNN in HD and WS
Aljazeera Please!
7,9,99,10 on Satellite!
Do the eastern states get Nine and Ten on Satellite? Adelaide only gets ABC1/2, SBS1/2 but no Seven, Nine and Ten. Only cable subscribers get them. The cable offering in Adelaide is extremely limited to a small percentage of the Metro area.
im sick of foxtel shafting its existing subscribers…… i know u need more customers but it would be nice to also reward the subscribers that have been loyal and giving you enough money to be able to do these upgrades.
I refuse to pay the $200 upgrade fee they charge for IQ2. I dont care how good it is. I have a PVR that i am happy with. Foxtel ultimately own the equipment (IQ2) they give you and if you disconnect one day you have to return it. So why should i have to pay $200 for it and also pay $10-$15 a month.
ONE is available in HD but only for iQ2 cable subscribers.
One thing i am looking for is Al Jazeera English!!
I was so happy last night that Eastenders went for a full 30 minutes without a break.Is this the norm now?This is how it should be.I can handle adds after the show but not during.But then again we pay so we should not have them in the first place eh?
Long to-do list, yes please upgrade existing 4×3 channels to 16×9 and why can’t their online be like iView and open to both PC and Mac users? iPhone support would be good as well.
But the one thing I want to know (this is more an Austar question but…) will users be able to access HD channels without the need to get IQ/MyStar? I don’t want or need their recorder, I don’t want to pay extra for something I don’t need and like putting some movies/shows on DVD which are hard to find, currently IQ and MyStar blocks this function digitally.
Foxtel really is revolutionising television in Australia and leaving the FTA’s for dead.
An iQ and 100 channels for $75 a month. Or a Tivo with 8 channels for $600.
Ummmm, tough choice!
However, the one thing Foxtel is lacking on is local channels on satellite.
If DirectTV can offer local channels (up to 20 per market) for over 200 local markets in the US and also local HD channels for over 200 local markets…then I fail to see why Foxtel can’t offer local channels over satellite for the 7 markets it services.