Foxtel planning dedicated streaming device
Move over Telstra TV, Foxtel is planning its own device for the Australian streaming market.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under Subscription
Foxtel is reportedly planning its own streaming device, set to compete with Telstra TV.
Foxtel CEO Richard Freudenstein told the Australian Financial Review, “We are going to make sure that we maximise all of our distribution platforms and it’s really important we have a great user experience on them.”
Foxtel’s online streaming service Foxtel Play does not appear on Telstra TV, which has 75,000 subscribers. It also shares Presto TV with Seven, taking on Stan / Fairfax entity and US giant Netflix.
​”Our subscriber growth has been very strong, Netflix being in the market has blown that slightly and some people have delayed their decision to buy Foxtel but a good number of customers have also taken Netflix on top of Foxtel.”
He also talked down any rumours he may be leaving Foxtel for News Corp, but refused to confirm any plans.
In December he also joined TEN’s board, after the STV provider became a shareholder.
6 Responses
I cancelled my $85 a Foxtel after 8 years. I just could not justify that much for the small amount of Channels i would watch….. Instead I have Stan, Presto and Netflix….. for $30 a month..
With foxtel’s last foray into hardware being such as disaster (iq3), I’m surprised they are going again with another piece of hardware.
Would make more sense for them to focus their energy on porting their iPhone/iPad app to Apple TV and other devices and focusing on content aggrigation and distribution.
What timing, I was just thinking this morning “we dont have enough streaming choices and dedicated devices for lackluster streaming services in Australia” and Foxtel have come to save the day!
Let me guess, the same poor channels as their STV service, no HD, no Fox Footy, no foreign options, no catchup etc
And for what… $50-60 per month plus an initial set up fee?
Take my money
Why bother, just get Chromecast apps for Foxtel GO and Foxtel Play. Now Chromecast 2 has been released in Australia as of last week, all TV catch-up services need to develop an app for it.
Couldn’t agree more in regards to the commercial networks needing Chromecast compatability! I have been badgering on about it on this site for months now and it seems like the only network to be investigating it is Nine (and I don’t know about you but that is my least watched network so not the victory I was hoping for). There is nothing worse than when a recorded program cut out because the previous program ran long (looking at you Seven) or because your PVR didn’t add on time like you asked (yes I’m talking about the IQ3), and then either having to watch the remainder on your phone or laptop with smaller screens and less sound.
Absolutely no surprise in this move. It will be a locally branded version of their Now TV box sold in the UK: nowtv.com/box I’m actually surprised it’s taken so long. Perhaps they’ve been waiting for greater rollout of the NBN and improved Internet speeds across the country.