Foxtel Now is an Australian internet television service which offers subscriptions to over 50 live channels and hundreds of video on-demand titles. The service was known as Foxtel Play until it was renamed in June 2017. The service is owned by Foxtel, and officially launched on 11 August 2013.
The service is available on internet connected devices such as computers, game consoles and selected smart TV's and Blu-ray players. In addition, Foxtel Now subscribers have access to Foxtel's Foxtel Go app for smart phones and tablets.
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History
On 14 March 2013 at the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA) conference, Foxtel CEO Richard Freudenstein announced that in August 2013 the company would launch a new service named Foxtel Play. The service is an internet television alternative to Foxtel's existing cable and satellite pay television service, allowing consumers to subscribe without a lock-in contract and access it via a range of internet compatible devices (as opposed to requiring a set-top box).
The service launched on 30 July 2013, nearly two weeks ahead of its official launch of 11 August 2013. At launch, the service offered over 40 live channels and hundreds of video on demand titles, with subscriptions starting at $25 a month and 6 subscription packages on offer.
Australian singer Guy Sebastian is the ambassador for Foxtel Play.
In October 2016, Foxtel CEO Peter Tonagh announced that Foxtel Play would receive a new package structure with lower pricing from December that year, to coincide with the company's closure of streaming service Presto. The service would be available from $10 per month for each of the Documentary, Lifestyle, or Kids packages, and for $15 per month for either of the Drama or Entertainment packages. Sports and Movie packages would be available to subscribe as an addition to at least one starter package. As well as access to linear channels, the service would also make associated on-demand and catch up content available to subscribers.
Amidst rumours of an impending rename of the service, Foxtel announced in May 2017 that it would be removing 19 channels across its various Foxtel Play packages. A re-allocation of resources towards more on-demand content, based on a review of customer viewing habits was provided as the reason for the reduction in linear channels; however, pricing for the service's entry level packages was to remain unchanged. On 6 June 2017, Foxtel announced a company wide rebrand, which was to include the renaming of Foxtel Play to Foxtel Now from 7 June 2017. Other changes included the addition of high-definition (HD) availability and Chromecast support on the service.
Under the hood, Foxtel Play and Foxtel Now are not the same product. Foxtel Play, irrespective of device, supports only playback in Standard Definition (SD). The re-branded Foxtel Now product supports playback in both SD and HD, however has not been rolled out on all Foxtel Play compatible devices yet. Foxtel have announced their intention to roll out the Foxtel Now product to other devices throughout the second half of 2017.
On 9 November 2017, Foxtel unveiled the Foxtel Now Box. A custom-made Technicolor Skipper running Android TV, the box is the flagship device for the Foxtel Now product. The launch included a small controversy, as Foxtel had previously promised the box would ship with the Netflix app available. The Netflix logo was included on some promotional material, which was deleted. During the launch event, Foxtel hinted that it was Netflix who was slowing the process, not yet having certified the box.
Streaming channels
The following is a list of the subscription packages on offer and the respective channels included:
Compatible devices
The following is a list of Foxtel Play (SD) compatible devices.
- LG Smart TV's (selected 2013 models)
- Mac (browser streaming requires Google Chrome, application streaming requires Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6, Mac OS X Lion 10.7 with Safari version 5 or above)
- PC (browser streaming requires Google Chrome, application streaming requires Windows XP with IE8 or above)
- Chromecast (since June 2017)
- PlayStation 3 (since 1 April 2014)
- PlayStation 4 (since 1 May 2014)
- Samsung 2012-2015 model TVs, Any Smart Hub enabled 2012-2013 model Blu-Ray Players and Home Theatre Systems.
- Sony (2014 model Smart TVs)
- Xbox One (since 13 April 2015)
- Telstra TV (since 14 December 2016)
Foxtel Play for Xbox 360 was discontinued on July 1, 2016
The following is a list of Foxtel Now (SD and HD) compatible devices.
- Chromecast
- Telstra TV
- PlayStation 4
- Apple TV (via AirPlay)
- PC (browser streaming requires Google Chrome)
- Mobile and Tablet
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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