0/5

Foxtel closer to new Drama streaming service

Reports suggest Foxtel has now given the green light to a Kayo-like Drama & Entertainment streaming service.

Rumours of a Drama & Entertainment streaming service from Foxtel, similar to Kayo Sports, are gathering steam.

“Project Jupiter,” an internal working title, have been around for several months as CEO Patrick Delany explores new revenue streams amid heated competition.

The Australian Financial Review reports Foxtel has now given the green light to plans and is looking for an executive to lead the new venture. Sources said the launch of the new service would also speed up the phase-out of Foxtel Now.

But while Foxtel had previously targeted Game of Thrones season eight as a potential launching pad it is not expected to launch in April.

Brian Walsh recently told TV Tonight, “We’ve made no secret of the fact we will be expanding the Foxtel business beyond the cable and satellite legacy product we have. Kayo was the first of the streaming products we intend to roll out. I acknowledge there have been suggestions we will also be entering the general entertainment space. But that’s all I can say on that matter.”

9 Responses

  1. Folks,

    The main difference here *if* executed wisely is emulating the “Netflix” style of subscription, removing packages and having tiers of access depending on SD/HD/4K HDR and amount of devices at once.

    Between that, price point and range of content – if they can be around the same level as N*/Stan while having the current licencing of HBO, FX, BBC, and continue to build on Original’s this has serious potential.

    Interesting times ahead – I’d also like to see some sort of discounted deal if one combines Kayo and PJ, unfortunately, Kayo on it’s own is a bit pricey for someone who dabbles in but doesn’t “live & breath” sport, imo.

    1. Yes, it is interesting mostly because a drama option albeit in limited form is already available for Foxtel Now users, the quality of the streaming will depend on your broadband speed. The only real attraction for what Foxtel is doing is to stream in HDR10 or UltraHD for those with suitable TV’s, but I suspect that Foxtel will not be doing subscribers any favours they do not have the global reach like Netflix nor the growing numbers of new shows each month.

  2. Foxtel Now doesn’t have Chicago PD which I find really frustrating so hopefully this new one will have that. You would think one of the streaming services would have that show but none of them do. I hoped it would be on Netflix.

    1. All 3 of the Chicago series are on Hulu and new episodes drop at 9pm Sydney time each Thursday night, the day after they air in the US. No need to try and follow the shows on different networks and times. You can watch the shows in order as they are broadcast which is great for crossovers in particular. A small cost and requires a bit of technical knowledge that is easily gained from google.

  3. I must be mssing something,but how is this going to be better than what you already have with Foxtel Now?On Foxtel Now you already have streaming of virtually every show in high definition,plus the advantage of seeing shows live through linear channels.So I don’t see how any new streaming service could improve on what we already have.It seems like change for change’s sake. .

    1. Completely agree with Esther, unless it’s cheaper or they restrict some shows to the new platform, I can’t see any reason to change from FN.

    2. Kayo is better than foxtel now because with foxtel now you have to pay $54 to watch sport but now with Kayo you only pay $25.

      If you we assume that Project Jupiter is the same price point, then you only pay $25 for the drama whereas with Foxtel Now you have to pay $39

      If you want to watch Kids or Documentaries on Foxtel Now you have to pay $104 a month (which is ridiculous), so it will be interesting to see what they do with these 2 sections in the future. Whilst I acknowledge there is a wide range of Kids and Doccos content on existing free and SVOD streaming services, foxtel has a lot of premium content in these two areas to itself.

      Hopefully the documentaries channels (such as A&E content) is wrapped up in Project Jupiter.

      Foxtel could bring the kids content as a in app purchase to the existing foxtel kids app for $10 a month (like it used to be before that crazy price…

  4. The difference between sports on Foxtel Now and Kayo is massive (replays, on demand, split screens, etc). However, what is going to be the point of differentiation between Foxtel Now and “Jupiter”? Foxtel Now already offers simulcasts of applicable channels, on demand replays and Chromecast support. Seems more like a marketing ploy than anything else.

    Personally was miffed when FN stopped the $15 drama pack, and the new entry price was $25, which includes a whole lot of channels I don’t want.

Leave a Reply