Foxtel overhauls pricing, HD channels as content battle heats up.
A new $25 Entertainment pack, 9 new HD channels, a BoxSets channel and the IQ3 are all coming to Foxtel.
- Published by David Knox
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Foxtel will overhaul its pricing structure and add another 9 HD channels as it seeks to lure new subscribers in a competitive content battle.
From November it will introduce a $25 Entertainment pack with 40 new channels for cable and satellite subscriptions.
“Foxtel is passionate about giving customers the maximum value for their subscriptions. From securing the best programming possible to providing innovative services like Foxtel Go and Look Back, we’re serious about going the extra mile. Today we’ve raised the bar even higher by giving our customers access to bonus content at no extra charge,” Foxtel CEO Richard Freudenstein said.
As part of its new pricing structure, Foxtel will also revamp its premium tiers by offering the Movies pack at $20 per month*; the Sports Pack at $25 per month* and the Drama Pack, which includes showcase, BBC First, FX, 13th Street and the new BoxSets channel at $20 per month*. Three General Entertainment Packs will also be available including Entertainment Plus, Docos and Kids, each priced at $10 per month*. BoxSets will be available as a stand alone for $10 per month*.
In addition, Foxtel welcomed the addition of the new Discovery Kids channel to the Kids Pack. Discovery Kids is Australia’s only children’s channel solely dedicated to providing fun educational programming for primary school-aged kids.
New customers who take Platinum HD will pay the same amount as existing Platinum HD subscribers.
The new package prices comes hot on the heels of this site’s Audience Inventory in which Pay TV viewers indicated more flexible packages was their #1 issue in STV.
Foxtel also revealed its first official photo of the IQ3, which was revealed by TV Tonight last December.
The iQ3 will be available to customers later this year (it’s unclear if this means all customers) while the Triple-Play of television, broadband and home phone will see a full consumer roll-out in the first quarter of 2015.
The new BoxSets HD channel, which is part of the HD pack, will show full seasons of Game of Thrones, The Newsroom, Entourage and Wentworth.
The 9 channels include new FOX Sports channels announced yesterday and takes the total number of HD channels to 36.
Starting November 3, the new channels will include:
Arena HD
Universal HD
13th Street HD
History HD
World Movies HD
Fox Sports News HD
Eurosport HD
Fox Sports 4 HD
BoxSets HD
“Foxtel subscribers have always had access to the widest range of High Definition programming available in Australia, and in yet another great development for existing and prospective customers, we’ve given them a massive boost that includes all of the channels in our premium sports, movies and drama packs, letting customers watch the best we have to offer in HD,” said Freudenstein.
The new BoxSets channel offers live and Anytime access and builds on several full seasons that were available on-demand earlier this year.
Foxtel BoxSets will launch on 3 November on CH 116 as part of the Foxtel Drama pack. It will include complete series of library drama and complete past seasons of returning drama series on a regularly updating basis.
“Binge watching is enormously popular and the BoxSets channel is an exciting initiative that will let our customers binge to their heart’s content on their favourite shows. The service will offer past series of the most popular, high-quality scripted TV series in full and will be the perfect way to catch up on recent series or revisit classic favourites,” said Freudenstein.
Ross Crowley, Director of Programming & Channels, told TV Tonight, a decision on which channels would move to HD required at least 50% of content in primetime to be available in native HD.
“We are just working through what material is available in HD so we can see which ones we can convert next,” he said recently.
“It relies on the underlying material to be at least a certain percentage of native HD. There will always be a little bit of ‘up-res.’”
Initial titles that will be available at or shortly after launch on BoxSets includes:
Available live and in Anytime
Game of Thrones – Seasons 1-4
The Sopranos – Seasons 1-6
Big Love – Seasons 1-5
The Newsroom – Seasons 1-2
Rome – Seasons 1-2
Band of Brothers
Entourage – Seasons 1-8
Wentworth – Seasons 1-2
Available in Anytime (On-Demand)
Getting On
Looking – Season 1
Girls – Seasons 1-3
Angels in America
BoxSets can be viewed live, or in Anytime through Foxtel Go or with an internet connected iQ box. For customers without an internet connected iQ box, Foxtel BoxSets will feature continuous broadcast of popular drama series that can be recorded to a Foxtel iQ set top box and played back at their convenience. Customers must subscribe to the relevant channel/tier in their residential pack to access corresponding content. ISP and data charges may apply. Foxtel and some services not available to all homes.
*Premium Packs (Movies, Sport and Drama), General Entertainment Packs (Entertainment Plus, Docos and Kids) and BoxSets only available as add-ons and must be taken with a $25 per month Entertainment Pack subscription.
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- Tagged with Entourage, Game of Thrones, The Newsroom, Wentworth
31 Responses
… and no news about Foxtel Play.
I have checked the foxtel website for new pricing and my package changes from $69 to $65. So I save $4 and gain 1 free movie per month, Showtime channel and the new Boxsets channel. I should be grateful but i just know they are going to increase their fees within 6 months and get my $4 back.
CraigW – Platinum customers haven’t had 2 free box office movies for years.
We keep being overcharged for what used to be a reasonable service.
Platinum is basically everything with no discounts.
According to the story “New customers who take Platinum HD will pay the same amount as existing Platinum HD subscribers.”
So time to start ditching channels you don’t actually want. Or just cancel.
Funny how only in February, there was a price increase. I still have the e-mail warning me of my plan change at the time.
Finally Showcase moves into the drama package.
@j.vbt
The US has high penetration for basic cable because it has been used for transmission of FTA for 60 years.
HBO, Showtime, FX, ESPN, TNT, AMC, Bravo etc. all sell their channels individually on top of basic cable. Average monthly spend on cable in the US is the highest in the world with people forking out $170 per month for basic cable plus the premium drama, movie and sports channels.
Sky Sports is #33 (#25 in bundles with broadband can phone) on top of their basic channels.
Fox Sports here is relatively expensive because they have exclusive access to few sports. Sky in the UK has exclusive access to the Premier League, Champions League, European leagues, Cricket, Rugby, League and the major Darts league etc. If you want to watch sport in the UK you have to have Sky.
I agree bill and drew1505. I’m hoping the loyalty might be repaid with a free IQ3 box or otherwise it might be more economic to cancel and re-join. We don’t all watch 2 Box Office flicks every month so to me that doesn’t strictly represent a saving. Really disappointing there hasn’t been an opportunity to reduce the Platinum but it seems that’s going to be the bargaining chip to the Triple Play to reduce the package. I’m on contract with Telstra to 2016. Wonder if Foxtel do a transition deal since Telstra own 50%?
Kids Channels in HD Denied Again, come on Foxtel and those Companies who run the Kids Channels, Get a Grip and go HD!!!!
I thought The Comedy Channel and Sky News would have over 50% of content to be able to be HD maybe the Sky News Australia cameras might be the only question?
Looks good. I might give it a shot next NRL season. Boxsets is certainly not enough to cancel Netflix (US) though.
Well I think Foxtel are being the most proactive pushes for High Definition, no only that they also care about reducing cost on families budgets, if they get there 50% penetration rate they will drop pricing again.
Interesting timing. Looks to me like they want to get everyone locked into 12 month contracts before Netflix arrives…
I was a Galaxy/Foxtel customer for more than 15 consecutive years and recently cut the cord. After signing up with Netflix, Hulu+ and Amazon Prime in January I found I wasn’t even watching Foxtel any more.
Glad to see that competition is finally bringing the costs of Foxtel down for everyone who hasn’t discovered the alternatives like Fetch, Netflix etc..
It’s all confusing. I’m a platinum subscriber. Will my $135 per month be reduced? I’ve been a subscriber for 12 years + and my fees always seem to increase. That’s loyalty for you
The tears are running down my face as I type this. I can now watch AFL, cricket, Tennis, A-league, EPL WWE,and Seinfeld re-runs on foxtel for just $50 a month.God bless you Foxtel.
Eurosport HD and History HD, finally!
Days of our Lives in HD first time ever in Australa
“Foxtel is passionate about giving customers the maximum value for their subscriptions”
*cough*cough* so why did you not do this sooner oh that’s right you we ripping as much as you can before it was being forced upon you thanks god for competition
$50 per month for sports ($25 + $25) in glorious SD is still way too much IMO. Especially where there are usually ways to get it via other means.
I commend Foxtel for continuing to add value to their box, but especially for lowering the bar of entry.
I still think the Premium HD package should be under $100. I’m no economist, but I do think, like in the United States, and UK, both of whom offer their most premium packages under $100 price point (with way more channels mind you) it explains why subscription television penetration is well above $50.
I just think Foxtel still need to be more aggressive. Especially with all the instant streaming services that are looming like Netflix and Hulu.
Yes it is scooott going from $74 down to $50.
@scooott To have sport previously it would cost $74 (essentials $49 + sport $25). It’s going to be $50 under this revamp (entertainment $25 + sport $25).
No Scott it means us sports subscribers will only pay $50 a month total. This seems very reasonable and I hope it does drive up subscriptions to vindicate Foxtel’s decision. I’ve roughly spent 6k to Foxtel in total, it’s great to get something back. Thanks Foxtel.
This may be the first time in a while that we’ve seen proper new HD added — other than the temporary London Olympics channels — because all the announcements in the last few years have recycled HD channels. I still miss UKTV HD and they didn’t announce it coming back today 🙁
So if you just want sport it’s no cheaper.
So this applies to all existing customers or is it just new customers? If it is then about time.
Yesterday they announced Fox Sports 5 HD but this has been left out of today’s waffle. They channel summary actually has it in so assume it has just been an oversight amongst all the words.
Anyway, lower entry price and more choice. That has to be a good thing.