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7mate and GEM on Foxtel?..the fine print

An update for Foxtel viewers wondering about 7mate and GEM....

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An update for Foxtel viewers wondering about 7mate and GEM….

They will be available only to cable viewers who already had 7HD and 9HD as part of their HD subscription.

A spokesperson told TV Tonight, “Foxtel is retransmitting both 7mate (channel 207) and GEM (channel 209) using the existing HD channel agreements with 7 and 9. This means only cable Foxtel iQ2 set-top-unit subscribers will be able to view the retransmitted channels 7mate and GEM.

“Retransmission is a complimentary service provided to Foxtel subscribers for subscriber convenience. The Foxtel service does not guarantee subscribers access to all of the commercial free to air channels via retransmission.”

46 Responses

  1. I have foxtel and I am very disappointed with this because I really want to watch 7mate and GEM but I don’t have Foxtel HD so I miss out completely even those these are free to air channels. But more importantly so I will also lose ONE because 11 is replacing the SD channel.

  2. This is crazy and unfair. It should become law that all subscription television providers carry all FTA feeds through both cable and satellite. I hate not being able to record new Family Guy eps of 7mate to watch later for example.

  3. If the costs are being reduced like that, then more people will subscribe, increasing the chance of the HD channels being retransmitted. The thing most likely to convince the networks to retransmit their HD channels via satellite would be a larger subscriber base. If there would be enough people watching to make it worth their while, then they’d do it.

  5. with foxtel reducing the HD upgrade cost from $200 to $100 and from november only charging an extra $10 per month for HD i will be upgrading to HD IQ2 it dosent bother me to much that us satalite subscribers dont get 7bogan or GEM but it would be nice i think it will eventually happen it did with all the main FTA stations

  6. Seems like there would be more opportunity for free to air to have it through pay tv because more viewers either watching it live or for people that have recorded it to watch later on numbers are up either way. I can understand that costs are the worry for this surely this would be reasonable.

  8. @reality raver – the only people who would have problem with their digital set top box is those with SD, and since GEM and Mate are HD like 7&9 were nothing has changed.

    What I would like to see is them stop selling SD boxes in stores as many people are still confused over the issue and will try and save a few $$ with SD only to find out they can’t get the new HD channels.

  9. Get rid of Foxtel and you won’t have to worry about it.

    I used to have Foxtel but it annoyed me how they set up their packages so we got rid of it and do not miss it at all.

    It didn’t like how they started certain shows on the basic package, hooked you in, then eventually moved them to the showcase channel (Love my way). Eventually every good series was on the showcase channel and by the time i pay for that every month i might as well just buy the series i want to watch. Funny how it is part of the movie package but doesn’t actually have any movies on it.

  10. My calls to Ch 7 and 9 have confirmed they don’t want to pay the Foxtel fee to retransmit via satellite.
    If Foxtel forced to retransmit – it will only cost more via Foxtel subscrption – so we then start paying for FTA – something not quite right if this happens

  12. My understanding is that Foxtel requires the FTAs to pay for satellite space, so it looks like that’s what’s going on here. Subscribers should continue to apply pressure.

    Chk chk: Sorry is this you shooting the messenger? The front of the site has two huge pics for a GEM brand today. I think they have enough love for today.

  14. Retransmission of All free to air channels (including HD channels) should be made compulsery for both cable and satilte subscribers regardless of what package you have. Like in the US all the free to air channails that broadcast in your area are available throught the cable or satilite provider.

  19. “Retransmission is a complimentary service”

    Get real Foxtel.

    Nine, Ten & Seven should be charging you to broadcast their content, which is the most demanded content in that nation such as AFL Grand Final, Masterchef, Today Tonight, Packed to the Rafters & local newscasts.

  21. Ok that explains why I’m not getting them…but why the hell are FTA channels fed automatically? Foxtel if you are reading this then sort it out. I pay for a HD package with and IQ2 machine so surely these channels should be compulsary.

  22. Actually also an issue for people who bought digital boxes for their TV’s. They are now finding they cannot receive the channels through it, and will have to buy another box.

    This is a bit of an issue for pensioners, and low income earners.

  23. I saw the GEM promo during Top Gear last night, (weird they were advertising a ‘womans’ channel during a ‘guys’ show but still) Anyway at the end they listed ch90 FTA and ch209 PayTV. I think this is the first time I’ve seen and FTA channel promoting it’s PayTV connection.

    Also I have to wonder how much of a womans channel this will be since they promoted it with HD Sports!

  25. I was keeping my eye on this on Foxtel where i live, A bit of useless info for ya David.

    7mate came online on Saturday Morning on Foxtel and GEM came online on Sunday Morning.

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