Today Foxtel has announced the launch of a new, dedicated 4K channel, as the first step in a plan to bring 4K resolution content to Australians. Known as 444, the channel will feature live sport, concerts, documentaries and more.
Channel 444 will launch this October with preview 4K content as well as HD content, expanding its 4K range over the next 12 months. One of the first major 4K events on channel 444 will be live coverage of the One Day International cricket match between Australia and South Africa on Sunday November 4. This will be the first time live sport has been broadcast in 4K in Australia. Foxtel has also promised live 4K coverage of selected NRL matches in 2019.
To support its new move into 4K content, Foxtel has also launched the iQ4 set-top box which will go on sale from today, replacing Foxtel's iQ3 box model. The iQ4 will be similar to the iQ3 in functionality and design, with the addition of a more powerful chip-set to handle 4K picture and sound.
What is 4K?
4K is the newest standardised HD resolution display. It's called '4K' because it offers a 4,000 pixel horizontal display. If you think about the difference between SD and HD, 4K is the next step up, offering 4x the resolution of standard HD.
Basically, 4K will make what you watch, whether that be movies, TV or live sports and concerts, look better on a bigger screen. How big? It depends, but you should be able to notice the difference between HD and 4K on a screen of about 50 inches or more.
Of course, in order to watch anything in 4K, you need the content to be available in 4K and you need a 4K compatible TV. However, you might already have one. According to Foxtel's CEO, Patrick Delaney, over one million 4K TVs have been sold in Australia in the last two years alone. On top of that, in the next 12 months its estimated that 80% of TVs sold in Australia will be 4K capable.
Basically, if you don't have it yet, you may end up with it before too long.
How can Foxtel customers get 4K?
Foxtel customers with subscriptions to either Foxtel Platinum HD or Foxtel Sports HD will have access to 4K content as soon as it launches, and their monthly subscription fees will not change. However, in order to view content in 4K resolution, existing customers will need to buy the new iQ4 set-top box. The box retails at $125.
However, Foxtel CEO Patrick Delaney said that cost "will depend on who you are as a customer. We will be rewarding loyalty to the company," he said, implying that customers who have been long-term subscribers to high value packages may receive a special price for the new iQ4 box.
As well as the iQ4 box customers will need a 4K compatible TV, HDMI cable and will need to be able to connect to Foxtel via satellite. Foxtel is not offering 4K content with cable connections at this time and will be transitioning off cable connections completely by 2022.
How can new customers sign up to Foxtel 4K?
Australians who don't have Foxtel HD and want to get access to channel 444 will need to sign up to either a Foxtel Platinum HD or Foxtel Sports HD package.
Foxtel Platinum HD is currently on special – $99 per month for the next 12 months if you sign up by midnight Saturday 18 August. If you miss the deal, you can still get the Platinum HD pack will for $139 per month.
Meanwhile, Foxtel Sports packs are on special – with zero equipment charges if you sign up before midnight on Saturday 18 August. The Foxtel Sports Combo costs $58 per month, with the Sports and Drama combo costing $78 per month. Sports combo customers will need to add HD to their subscriptions for an additional $10 per month to view content in 4K.
What about Foxtel Now?
Foxtel CEO Patrick Delaney confirmed today that Foxtel does intend to extend 4K content offerings to the online streaming service, Foxtel Now. However, he did not provide a timeline, stating only that 4K will come to Foxtel streaming as the NBN grows.
That will leave Foxtel Now in the position of being the only major streaming service in Australia without any 4K content. Rival streaming services Netflix, Stan and Amazon Prime Video have offered select content in 4K resolution for some time.
Foxtel CEO Patrick Delaney defended the lack of 4K streaming, stating that 4K delivering via the internet can be unreliable due to a poor home internet connection or poor home internet equipment. That's why Foxtel has chosen to focus its 4K efforts on its satellite TV service, he said, claiming that satellite TV can offer guaranteed quality for 4K content.
Compare Australia's leading streaming services below:
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AMC+ Bundle
TV7-day free trial
From
$8.99/mth
or $83.88/yr
|
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Disney+
From
$9.99/mth
or $179.99/yr
|
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Amazon Prime Video
TV + movies + more30-day free trial
From
$9.99/mth
or $79/yr
|
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Netflix
From
$9.99/mth
|
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Binge
TV + movies + sport7-day free trial
From
$10.00/mth
or $79/yr
|
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Crunchyroll
TV + movies7-day free trial
From
$11.99/mth
or $119.99/yr
|
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Apple TV
TV + movies7-day free trial
From
$15.99/mth
or $129/yr
|
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Kayo Sports
Sport7-day free trial
From
$29.99/mth
|
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DAZN
From
$31.99/mth
or $149.99/yr
|
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Foxtel Now
TV + movies + sport10-day free trial
From
$35/mth
|
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Paramount+
TV + movies + sport7-day free trial
From
$7.99/mth
or $70.99/yr
Link not supplied
|
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Stan.
TV + movies + sport
From
$9.99/mth
Link not supplied
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HBO Max
TV + movies
From
$11.99/mth
or $119.99yr
Link not supplied
|
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BritBox
TV7-day free trial
From
$13.99/mth
or $139.99/yr
Link not supplied
|
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MUBI
Movies7-day free trial
From
$14.99/mth
or $119.88/yr
Link not supplied
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Jacqui Dent
Editorial Strategist
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