Foxtel mobile strategy for iOS, Android, WP7 a confused mess
Posted Sunday, October 16, 2011 at 10:49 am by Jason Cartwright
Foxtel is Australia’s largest PayTV service, as the penetration of IPTV delivered content has consumers cutting un-necessary monthly, Foxtel needs to evolve. One such evolution is the move to allow Xbox 360 owners to avoid getting yet another set-top-box top access Foxtel. The next frontier is mobile access.
Recently we seen Foxtel release mobile applications for the three major mobile platforms, iOS, Android or Windows Phone 7. While it’s refreshing to see an application launch include all platforms at once, the devil is in the detail. These apps don’t allow for a simple sign into your account and watching your Foxtel channels on the go. Instead they are just a fancy TV Guide with the ability to record.
It may be great functionality, but when it comes to watching live, the story becomes much more confused and limited.
Mobile FOXTEL from Telstra is currently available on a range of compatible Next G™ handsets, iPhone™ 3G, iPhone™ 3GS, iPhone™ 4, and our mobile tablet range of devices including the the Apple iPad® and iPad® 2.
So to access Foxtel from your Xbox doesn’t attract additional charges, but access it from your mobile and you’ll need to pull out your credit card. Packages start at $12 per month or $4 for a day pass. This cost is on-top of your existing subscription, which is kind of insane. If your already paying a premium price and advert-heavy subscription to Foxtel, as well as your monthly to Telstra for the data plan, why should you pay again ?
There are 6 packs to choose from so you can create your own mobile FOXTEL experience. Packages start from just $12 per month.
Telstra has spent billions of dollars building out their NextG network and recently launched their next generation 4G network. It is applications like watching streaming video on the go that demands these kind of high network speeds. It’s capabilities and partnerships like the ability to stream Foxtel on Telstra that sets them apart from competitors. While the exclusive deal with Telstra may piss off some Foxtel subscribers using other carriers, the reality is their networks probably couldn’t handle it anyway.
Cord cutters are moving to free IPTV alternatives, so if Foxtel wants to reverse that trend, Foxtel has to address the pricing model and available for live streaming across all mobile platforms, if they want any kind of serious user adoption.
More information @ Foxtel.
Foxtel on Xbox 360 launches, still artificially limited
Posted Monday, November 8, 2010 at 9:42 pm by Jason Cartwright
While the Xbox 360 Dashboard update rollout started last week, today some Xbox 360 owners have something else new and shiny to play with. If you happen to be in a FOXTEL areas (essentially that’s not Austar), then you can skip the FOXTEL set-top box and just use your Xbox 360 instead. One of the big advantages of getting Foxtel this way is there’s no subscription tie in. This means you can take it or leave it each month, or choose a different package (bundle of channels) each month. Oh and there’s no up-front cost.
Foxtel on Xbox 360 requires an Xbox Live Gold Subscription, if you have that, then register at http://foxtel.com.au/xbox/register. Existing Foxtel customers can join their Foxtel account and their Foxtel on Xbox 360 account so their talking the same language. Wether your new or existing, you’ll start out with at least the ‘Get started’ pack for A$19.50 for a month. Optional packages include Sport for A$10, Showtime Movies for $15, Movie Network for A$15 and Entertainment for A$15. You can see the breakdown of which channels land in which package below.
It turns out IP delivered video will cost you downloads, imagine that.. so its important you have a decent internet cap before jumping into Foxtel for Xbox 360.
There are 3 different streaming qualities, and each will use a different amount of bandwidth. High quality streaming will use approximately 800mb/hr, medium quality will use approximately 540mb/hr, and low quality will use approximately 360mb/hr. Additionally, we recommend an internet connection speed of 1.5mbps for a smooth streaming experience.
After all that if you still have questions, Jinx has a great Q&A over at InsiderX.
I’d love to give you a hand-on video of the Foxtel on Xbox 360 experience, problem is I happen to live in a non-Foxtel serviced area. This restriction comes from a non-compete agreement between Foxtel and Austar, which may make sense when you talk about broadcast regions, but when it comes to IP-delivered content this makes no sense at all. So the internet, the technology that is supposed to be the great equaliser now has these falsified regions created to protect who ? Austar.. ? Well where’s there competing service ? I’ve never been a Foxtel subscriber, but the convenience of Foxtel on Xbox 360 made me willing to hand over $20+ per month, but apparently Foxtel don’t want my money.
More info @ Xbox Australia
3D Broadcast coming to Australia 2011 from Foxtel
Posted Friday, January 15, 2010 at 9:01 am by Jason Cartwright
One of the big problems with buying a new 3D television is where to find content. Sure the 3D Blu-ray format was just formalised, but expect it to be a while before they start hitting our shelves. Well Foxtel is leading the way in 3D content, announcing their intentions to begin 3D broadcasts in 2011.
More @ Gizmodo
