Binge (streaming service)
{{short description|Australian streaming service owned by Hubbl}}
{{About|the Australian streaming service||Binge (disambiguation){{!}}Binge}}
{{Infobox website
| name = Binge
| logo = Binge logo.svg
| logo_size = 215px
| company_type = Subsidiary
| launched = {{start date and age|2020|05|25|df=y}}
| predecessor = Binge (TV channel)
| location = Artarmon, New South Wales
| country = Australia
| area_served = Australia
| key_people = Alison Hurbert-Burns
(Executive Director)
| products = {{plainlist|
}}
| owner = Hubbl
| parent = Foxtel
| url = {{URL|https://binge.com.au/}}
| website_type = Over-the-top media service
| registration = Required
| users = {{increase}} 1.529M (as of 31 March 2023){{Cite web |title=Foxtel subscribers grow 6% - AdNews |url=https://www.adnews.com.au/news/foxtel-subscribers-grow-6 |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=www.adnews.com.au |language=en}}
| language = English
| current_status = Active
}}
Binge is an Australian subscription video on-demand service owned by Hubbl, a subsidiary of Foxtel. The service is devoted primarily to entertainment content, including television series and films.
History
In August 2018 it was reported Foxtel were expected to announce an entertainment subscription video on demand (SVOD) service. The service, internally codenamed Project Jupiter, aimed to combat the building competition from streaming services such as Netflix, Stan, and Amazon Prime Video. This new service would complement Foxtel's sports SVOD service which had been given the go-ahead (later launched as Kayo Sports) as well as offer an alternative to traditional satellite and cable Foxtel services.{{cite news|last=Mason|first=Max|title=Foxtel readies sport and entertainment streaming services to fight Netflix, Stan|url=https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/foxtel-readies-sport-and-entertainment-streaming-services-to-fight-netflix-stan-20180805-h13kg9|newspaper=The Australian Financial Review|date=6 August 2018|access-date=4 July 2020|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225063634/https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/foxtel-readies-sport-and-entertainment-streaming-services-to-fight-netflix-stan-20180805-h13kg9|archive-date=25 December 2019}}
In October 2018, it was reported that Project Jupiter would launch in the first half of 2019 to coincide with the final season of Game of Thrones.{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|title=Foxtel sports-streaming tipped for December|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/10/foxtel-sports-streaming-tipped-for-december.html|work=TV Tonight|date=29 October 2018|access-date=4 July 2020}} In March 2019 it was reported Foxtel had green-lit Project Jupiter, however, it would not launch in early 2019 as previously reported.{{cite news|last=Mason|first=Max|title=Foxtel plots its next streaming service to take on Stan and Netflix|url=https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/foxtel-prepares-to-take-on-stan-netflix-with-project-jupiter-20190303-h1bx87|date=3 March 2019|access-date=4 July 2020|newspaper=The Australian Financial Review|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215152247/https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/foxtel-prepares-to-take-on-stan-netflix-with-project-jupiter-20190303-h1bx87|archive-date=15 February 2020}} In September 2019 it was reported Foxtel had assembled a staff of 40 ahead of the launch who were located within the same facility as sister-company Kayo Sports. It was also noted the service's code name had changed from Project Jupiter to Project Ares.{{cite news|last=Mason|first=Max|title=Foxtel ramps up Project Ares ahead of launch of 'Kayo's sister'|url=https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/foxtel-ramps-up-project-ares-ahead-of-launch-of-kayo-s-sister-20190915-p52qyo|date=16 September 2019|access-date=4 July 2020|url-access=subscription|newspaper=The Australian Financial Review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215152259/https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/foxtel-ramps-up-project-ares-ahead-of-launch-of-kayo-s-sister-20190915-p52qyo|archive-date=15 February 2020}}
On 23 May 2020 it was announced the new service would be called Binge. It officially launched on 25 May 2020.{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|work=TV Tonight|title=Binge ready to tempt|url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2020/05/binge-ready-to-tempt.html|date=23 May 2020|access-date=4 July 2020}}
=Subscribers=
{{Div flex row|align-items=center}}
| class="wikitable"
! Date !!Paying subscribers !!Total subscribers !!Ref |
| As of 4 August 2020
| 185,000 | 217,000 |
| As of 30 September 2020
| 290,000 | 321,000 |
| {{As of|2020|12|df=y}}
| 431,000 | 468,000 |
| {{As of|2021|03|31|df=y}}
| 561,000 | 679,000 |
| {{As of|2021|06|30|df=y}}
| 733,000 | 827,000 |
| {{As of|2021|12|31|df=y}}
| 928,000 | 1,040,000 | {{cite web |title=Foxtel Group Second Quarter: Foxtel subs 4m, Kayo & Binge each 1m+ |url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/foxtel-group-second-quarter-foxtel-subs-4m-kayo-binge-each-1m/ |website=Media Week |date=4 February 2022 |quote=Binge reached 1.04 million subscribers (928,000 paid), up 122%.}} |
| {{As of|2022|08|08|df=y}}
| 1,192,000 | 1,263,000 |url=https://mumbrella.com.au/foxtels-streaming-subscriber-base-up-31-in-group-q4-and-full-year-fiscal-2022-results-750544 |website=Mumbrella |date=9 August 2022 |quote=BINGE reached 1.263 million subscribers (1.192 million paid), up 53%.}} |
| {{As of|2023|02|10|df=y}}
| 1,375,000 | 1,439,000 |
| {{As of|2023|03|31|df=y}}
| 1,484,000 | 1,529,000 |
| {{As of|2024|08|09|df=y}}
| 1,529,000 | 1,552,000 |
{{Div flex row end}}
{{Graph:Chart
|type=line |width=330 |height=150 |showSymbols=true
|xType=string
|xAxisFormat=%b %Y
|yAxisMin=0
|yAxisTitle=Subscribers
|x=May20, Aug20, Sep20, Dec20, Mar21, Jun21, Dec21, Aug22, Feb23, Mar23
|y=0, 217000, 321000, 468000, 679000, 827000, 1040000, 1263000, 1439000, 1529000
}}
Content
At launch Binge was reported to offer over 10,000 hours of entertainment, lifestyle, reality and movie content without advertisements, which was expected to expand to 20,000 hours of content within 12 months.{{cite web|last=Perry|first=Kevin|title=EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AUSTRALIA'S NEXT STREAMING SERVICE BINGE|url=https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2020/05/22/everything-you-need-to-know-about-australias-next-streaming-service-binge/|work=TV BlackBox|date=22 May 2020|access-date=5 July 2020}}
= Output deals =
Binge's content is drawn primarily from output deals with Foxtel. Not all content available on Foxtel may be available on Binge due to competing agreements with other distributors (including other Australian TV channels) and/or streaming services in Australia.{{cite web |title=Foxtel secures exclusive HBO deal ahead of Binge launch |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/foxtel-secures-exclusive-hbo-deal-ahead-of-binge-launch-20200506-p54q9o |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en |date=6 May 2020}}
Ahead of Binge's launch, Foxtel and Binge acquired Australian rights to HBO Max original programmes distributed by Warner Bros. Television Studios.{{cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=7 May 2020 |title=HBO deal a final brick ahead of new streaming launch |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2020/05/hbo-deal-a-final-brick-ahead-of-new-streaming-launch.html |access-date=5 July 2020 |work=TV Tonight}} In September 2022, Foxtel announced that WWE Network content would move exclusively to Binge in January 2023.{{cite web |last=Szalai |first=Georg |date=September 27, 2022 |title=WWE Expands Exclusive Deal With Foxtel in Australia |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/wwe-australia-foxtel-deal-exclusive-1235227445/ |access-date=September 29, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{cite web |last=Sim |first=Josh |date=September 28, 2022 |title=WWE Network lands on exclusively Foxtel's Binge streaming service in Australia |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/wwe-network-streaming-binge-foxtel-tv-rights-australia-kayo/ |access-date=September 29, 2022 |website=SportsPro}} HBO Max is now confirmed to launch in Australia as a stand-alone streaming service on March 31, 2025 around the same time their deal with parent company Warner Bros. Discovery expires.{{Cite web|url=https://7news.com.au/business/media/inside-media-what-hbo-max-launch-means-for-aussie-viewers-and-looking-for-friends-easter-eggs-on-shows-30-year-anniversary-c-16187539|title=How Netflix rival coming to Aus is threatening your favourite TV show|date=September 26, 2024|website=7NEWS}}{{Cite web |date=September 25, 2024 |title=Streaming powerhouse to launch in Australia next year |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/warner-bros-discovery-confirms-max-will-launch-in-early-2025-20240925-p5kde4 |website=Australian Financial Review}} Foxtel will however instead include the streaming app and its subscription to the basic with ads plan on their IQ boxes for Foxtel subscribers at launch at no extra cost, confirming that nearly all HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery content will migrate to Max app upon arrival, meaning that Foxtel will now act as HBO Max's launch partner instead via a new deal.https://www.foxtel.com.au/hbo-max.html?icid=resi__find-out-more_maxhttps://foxtelgroup.com.au/newsroom/foxtel-group-and-warner-bros-discovery-enter-new-partnership-era In addition, WWE programming was removed from Binge in a two-stage set-up in late 2024, due to the move of all WWE programming to Netflix. The first stage saw live WWE content drop off of the Fox8 schedule in September 2024, and the second stage saw all remaining programming dropped on New Year's Day 2025, with the Australian WWE Network channel closing as a result.
Some of Binge's suppliers include:
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
- 20th Television (via Walt Disney Studios; selected titles)
- ABC Commercial{{cite web |title=Foxtel buys ABC TV programs |url=https://mumbrella.com.au/foxtel-buys-abc-tv-programs-38153 |website=Mumbrella |date=11 January 2011}}
- American International Pictures (via Amazon MGM Studios)
- All3Media{{cite web |title=Foxtel lines up premium documentary channel Fox Docos to replace Arts network |url=https://www.c21media.net/news/foxtel-lines-up-premium-documentary-channel-fox-docos-to-replace-arts-network/ |website=C21media |language=en-us}}
- Amazon MGM Studios
- Amblin Partners (via NBCUniversal)
- Banijay{{cite web |title=Foxtel Archives |url=https://www.banijay.com/blog/tag/foxtel/ |website=Banijay Group - We are Banijay |date=12 September 2019 |language=en}}
- Cineflix Rights{{cite web |title=Foxtel Australia acquires crime and lifestyle content from Cineflix Rights |url=https://tva.onscreenasia.com/2014/05/foxtel-australia-acquires-crime-and-lifestyle-content-from-cineflix-rights/ |website=Television Asia Plus |date=26 May 2014}}
- CNN (via Warner Bros. Discovery)
- Columbia Pictures (via Sony Pictures)
- DC Entertainment (via Warner Bros. Discovery)
- Focus Features (via NBCUniversal)
- Fremantle{{cite web |last1=Groves |first1=Don |title=Foxtel gets ready to green light three Aussie dramas |url=https://www.if.com.au/foxtel-gets-ready-to-green-light-three-aussie-dramas/ |website=IF Magazine |language=en-AU |date=29 October 2020}}
- ITV Studios{{cite web |title=ITV Studios forms Foxtel partnership |url=https://www.c21media.net/news/itv-studios-forms-foxtel-partnership/ |website=C21media |language=en-us}}
- Lionsgate
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (via Amazon MGM Studios)
- Miramax (via Paramount Global)
- NBCUniversal{{cite web |title=Foxtel and NBCUniversal complete new multi-year content agreement |url=https://www.foxtel.com.au/about/media-centre/press-releases/2019/foxtel-and-nbcuniversal-complete-new-multi-year-content-agreement.html |website=Foxtel}}
- New Line Cinema (via Warner Bros. Discovery)
- Paramount Pictures (via Paramount Global)
- StudioCanal{{cite web|title=Foxtel distribution deal with Studiocanal |url=https://advanced-television.com/2013/10/16/foxtel-distribution-deal-with-studiocanal/ |website=advanced-television.com|date=16 October 2013 }}
- Sony Pictures Television{{cite web |title=Blockbuster lineup for Foxtel Movies |url=https://www.foxtel.com.au/about/media-centre/press-releases/2012/blockbuster-lineup-for-foxtel-movies.html}}
- Summit Entertainment (via Lionsgate)
- Telepictures (via Warner Bros. Discovery)
- TriStar Pictures (via Sony Pictures)
- Universal Pictures (via NBCUniversal)
- Paramount Global{{cite web |last1=Samios |first1=Zoe |title=ViacomCBS signs distribution deal with Foxtel |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/viacomcbs-signs-distribution-deal-with-foxtel-20200315-p54a8g.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en |date=15 March 2020}}
- Village Roadshow Pictures{{cite web |title=Village Roadshow Film Distribution |url=https://villageroadshow.com.au/our-businesses/film-distribution |website=villageroadshow.com.au}}
- Warner Bros. Pictures (via Warner Bros. Discovery)
- Warner Bros. Discovery{{cite web |title=Foxtel and WarnerMedia agree major multi-year relationship expansion |url=https://www.foxtel.com.au/about/media-centre/press-releases/2020/warner-media-agreement.html |website=Foxtel}}
{{div col end}}
= Movies =
Binge has access to some of Foxtel movie output deals for movies including Australian cinema, Hollywood blockbusters, British films, independent film and other global releases. Binge may or may not share a same day release with Foxtel's Foxtel Movies release depending on the title and the output deal with its distributor.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}} Some blockbusters like Universal Pictures’ Fast & Furious franchise had an exclusive window on Foxtel's Movies Package before being made available to Binge and other Foxtel on demand subscribes.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}
= Live linear TV channels =
Binge also carries a lineup of 34 live linear television networks from Foxtel and other broadcasters.{{cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=28 July 2020 |title=No blackouts on Binge |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2020/07/no-blackouts-on-binge.html |access-date=29 August 2020 |work=TV Tonight}}{{cite web |last1=Stead |first1=Chris |title=BINGE streaming service: Price, features and content {{!}} Finder |url=https://www.finder.com.au/internet-tv/binge |website=finder.com.au |date=24 May 2023 |language=en-AU}}{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
Foxtel owned:
- Foxtel One
- Showcase
- Boxsets
- Crime
- Famous
- Classics
- British
- Comedy
- FOX8
- Lifestyle
- Lifestyle Food
- Lifestyle Home
- Arena
- Real Life
{{col-2}}
- Real Crime
- Bloomberg
- CNN
- MSNBC
- Investigation Discovery
- DocPlay
- Travel
- Real History
- Discovery Turbo
- Discovery
- Fashion TV
- LMN
- BBC UKTV
- TLC
- Universal TV
- Animal Planet
- DreamWorks Channel
- Cartoon Network
- Boomerang
{{col-end}}
= Original programming =
- Upright (2019–2022)
- Love Me (2021–)
- Colin from Accounts (2022–)
- Strife (2023-)
- How to Make Gravy (2024)
Subscription packages
As of 2024, Binge offers three tiers of monthly subscriptions defined by the number of simultaneous streams allowed – 1, 2, or 4 – and the quality of the streamed content from High Definition to 4K. The basic plan now includes advertisements on all content except movies. The subscriptions range from $10 to $22.{{Cite news|last=Barrett|first=Dan|date=2020-05-26|title=Binge: is this Foxtel's last gasp or the future of streaming in Australia?|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/may/27/binge-is-this-foxtels-last-gasp-or-the-future-of-streaming-in-australia|access-date=2020-06-30|issn=0261-3077}}
Supported devices
Hardware supported{{cite web | url=https://help.binge.com.au/s/article/Supported-Devices-Browsers | title=Binge }}
The devices on this list are supported by Binge:
- Apple TV – supported on 4th Generation or higher on tvOS 12+
- Apple iPhones and iPads – supported on iOS 12+
- Android Mobiles and Tablets – supported on Android 7+
- Android TV OS – supported on Version 7.0+
- LG TV – supported on all LG TVs from 2018 and later
- Samsung Smart TV – Supported on all Samsung Smart TVs from 2017 onwards
- Telstra TV – supported on TTV1 (4200TL), TTV2 (4700TL) and TTV3 (4701TL)
- Chromecast – supported on Chromecast Ultra and latest 3rd Generation +
- Hubbl
Supported web browsers by platform:
- macOS (10.12+): Safari, Google Chrome or Firefox
- webOS (2.23+): WebKit
- Windows (10+): Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Firefox
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://binge.com.au/}}
{{Foxtel}}
{{Australian streaming companies}}
{{VOD services}}
{{Subscription television channels in Australia}}
Category:2020 establishments in Australia
Category:Australian entertainment websites
Category:Australian streaming companies
Category:Internet properties established in 2020
Category:Subscription video on demand services
Category:Android (operating system) software