Foxtel’s new streaming television service Foxtel Play is now open for early bird subscriptions, with the pay TV company offering customers a free seven-day trial when they sign up.
Although its official launch won't be until August 11, the online-only venture has gone live across Australia as of today.
The week-long trial offer will be available to new subscribers until 31 October 2013; however, it requires users to pay a $10 pre-authorisation fee (which is refundable upon cancellation of the service), and you’ll need to hand over your credit card details.
If customers don’t cancel the service within the first seven days, direct debit payments will automatically be charged to their card for the next month’s subscription.
The service will initially be available to view on PC and Mac, eligible Samsung smart TVs and on Xbox 360.
How it works
Foxtel Play enables customers who may not be able to access Foxtel from their location to view selected channels from the company’s programming, either live or through catch-up or on demand options.
What may attract subscribers is that Play, unlike Foxtel’s regular pay TV service, is offered as a month-to-month deal, with no lock-in contracts, no upfront costs or installation fees, and no ongoing commitment.
Customers are free to stop and start their subscriptions from month-to-month as their circumstances and interests change, and simply pay as they go. Streaming content is available to all new customers as soon as they've completed the online sign up process.
Because Foxtel Play uses your internet connection to stream programs to your television or computer, you’ll need to ensure that your broadband plan will provide enough data each month for your viewing habits, and offers sufficient data speeds.
Foxtel Play streaming video is unmetered with Telstra BigPond home broadband (although not with Telstra’s mobile network), but not with any other internet service provider.
Foxtel recommend a minimum data speed of 3.0Mbps for optimum viewing. While data use varies between device, Foxtel advises that the maximum data used in an hour of streaming should be no more than 1310MB.
What you'll get
Foxtel Play offers four basic packages: Entertainment, Drama, Kids and Documentaries. Subscribers can pick one package for $25 per month, two packages for $35, three for $45 or all four for $50 monthly. Two additional packages, Sports and Premium Drama and Movies, can be purchased for an extra $25 per month each.
The packages feature popular Foxtel channels including Fox Sports, Foxtel Movies, Showcase, FOX8, National Geographic, The History Channel, MTV, The Disney Channel, Nickelodeon and over 30 more. The service supports parental control settings, but as yet won’t feature closed captions.
The service replaces Foxtel's Internet TV and Foxtel on Xbox packages. Foxtel on Xbox or Foxtel On Internet TV customers are free to keep their current packages and pricing and won’t be required to move to the new Foxtel Play service, unless they wish to change the channels in their existing package.
Foxtel Go, the company’s service for handheld devices, will also be available to Foxtel Play customers as part of their subscription. Foxtel Go can be accessed on two registered devices, including iPads and iPhones and selected Samsung tablets and smartphones.
Is it worth it?
The main plus is that you won’t be paying the cost of purchasing and installing a set top box and satellite; but you won’t be getting as many channels with the Foxtel Play service. Customers also won’t have access to the convenience of Foxtel IQ in order to record, save and rewatch programs.
A basic Foxtel package with 37 channels is $47 each month on a twelve month plan (not including installation and equipment fees), while the Platinum Foxtel package includes 86 channels for an introductory rate of $109.50 monthly for the first six months (and $122 per month onwards).
In comparison, Foxtel Play customers wanting to access the full service will pay $100 each month for less than 50 channels.
If Foxtel is currently unavailable where you live, Foxtel Play is a viable alternative for sports lovers and film fanatics who are happy to stream live television. However, alongside Foxtel’s regular pay TV packages, it may not be the best option for everyone.
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