Foxtel Now

{{Short description|Australian subscription video-on-demand service}}

{{Infobox website

| name = Foxtel Now

| logo = Foxtel Now logo 2023.png

| logo_size = 200px

| logo_alt =

| collapsible =

| screenshot =

| screenshot_size =

| screenshot_alt =

| caption = Foxtel Now logo as at July 2019

| company_type = Subsidiary

| foundation =

| launched = {{start date and age|df=yes|11 August 2013}}

| predecessor =

| location = Sydney, New South Wales

| country = Australia

| area_served = Australia

| former_name = Foxtel Play (2013–2017)

| founder =

| CEO =

| key_people =

| products = {{plainlist|

}}

| services = {{plainlist|

Film distribution
Television distribution

}}

| revenue =

| operating_income =

| international = No

| owner = Foxtel

| url = {{URL|foxtel.com.au/now}}

| alexa =

| website_type = Over-the-top media service

| advertising =

| registration = Required

| users = {{decrease}} 177,000 (as of 30 June 2023){{cite web|work=Foxtel Group|title=Foxtel Group Fiscal 2023 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Earnings|url=https://foxtelgroup.com.au/newsroom/foxtel-group-fiscal-2023-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-earnings|date=2023-08-11|access-date=2023-12-10}}

| language = English

| current_status = Active

}}

Foxtel Now (formerly Foxtel Play) is an Australian internet television service which offers subscriptions to over 50 live channels and hundreds of video on-demand titles. The service is owned by Foxtel, and officially launched on 11 August 2013 as Foxtel Play.

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.

History

On 14 March 2013 at the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA) conference, Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany 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 new iQ4 set-top box).{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|title=Game-changer as Foxtel offers subscriptions on the Go|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2013/03/game-changer-as-foxtel-offers-subscriptions-on-the-go.html|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=10 February 2015|date=14 March 2013}}

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.{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|title=Foxtel Play offers first-ever internet-only subscriptions |url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2013/07/foxtel-play-offers-first-ever-internet-only-subscriptions.html|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=10 February 2015|date=30 July 2013}}

Australian singer Guy Sebastian was the ambassador for Foxtel Play.{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|title=Foxtel Play signs Guy Sebastian|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2013/08/foxtel-play-signs-guy-sebastian.html|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=10 February 2015|date=12 August 2013}}{{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|title=Guy Sebastian sings for Foxtel Play |url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2013/09/guy-sebastian-sings-for-foxtel-play.html|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=10 February 2015|date=26 September 2013}}

In October 2016, Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany 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.{{Cite web|url=http://tvtonight.com.au/2016/10/new-pricing-for-foxtel-play.html|title=New pricing for Foxtel Play|last=Knox|first=David|date=4 October 2016|website=TV Tonight|access-date=10 June 2017}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://tvtonight.com.au/2016/09/low-cost-low-commitment-foxtel-play-to-relaunch-in-december.html|title='Low cost, low commitment' Foxtel Play to relaunch in December|last=Knox|first=David|date=6 September 2016|website=TV Tonight|access-date=10 June 2017}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://mumbrella.com.au/18-channels-deleted-foxtel-play-lineup-broadcaster-wont-say-446096|title=19 channels deleted from Foxtel Play lineup but broadcaster won't say why|last=Samios|first=Zoe|date=21 May 2017|website=Mumbrella|access-date=10 June 2017}} 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;{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxtel.com.au/now/support/how-it-works/getting-started/channel-packs.html#more-info.html|title=Channel packs on Foxtel Now|date=11 June 2017|access-date=11 June 2017}} however, pricing for the service's entry level packages was to remain unchanged.{{Cite web|url=http://tvtonight.com.au/2017/05/foxtel-dropping-19-channels-from-foxtel-play-streaming.html|title=Foxtel dropping 19 channels from Foxtel Play streaming|last=Knox|first=David|date=22 May 2017|website=TV Tonight|access-date=10 June 2017}} 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2017/06/foxtel-now-lands-with-10-entry-hd-chromecast.html|title=Foxtel Now lands with $10 entry, HD & Chromecast.|last=Knox|first=David|date=6 June 2017|website=TV Tonight|access-date=7 June 2017}} Other changes included the addition of high-definition (HD) availability and Chromecast support on the service.

Foxtel Now was not the same product as Foxtel Play. Foxtel Play, irrespective of device, supported playback only 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.{{cite web|title=Foxtel Now general device information |url=https://www.foxtel.com.au/now/support/how-it-works/devices/general.html|publisher=Foxtel|website=Foxtel|access-date=31 July 2017}} Foxtel announced their intention to roll out the Foxtel Now product to other devices throughout the second half of 2017, but only the PlayStation 4, Telstra TV and Sony TVs have had Foxtel Play apps upgraded to Foxtel Now.

On 9 November 2017, Foxtel unveiled the Foxtel Now Box.{{Cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/technology/gadgets-on-the-go/foxtel-now-streaming-puck-takes-pay-tv-beyond-the-box-20171108-gzh3kp.html|title=Foxtel Now streaming puck takes pay TV beyond the box|last=Turner|first=Adam|date=8 November 2017}} 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. However, as of November 2019, the Netflix app has been made available through the Foxtel Now box, and all newer models of the box are now sold with the app pre-installed.[https://www.foxtel.com.au/about/media-centre/press-releases/2019/foxtel-now-box-streams-netflix.html Foxtel Now box streams Netflix]

On 16 September 2019, Foxtel announced that their mobile application will close on 17 September, and most of its mobile subscribers will be integrated into Foxtel Go mobile app. the Set-top Box brand Foxtel Now Box, its app on Video Game consoles, and its website was not affected by their changes.{{cite web|url=https://www.techradar.com/news/foxtel-now-mobile-app-gets-retired-replaced-by-foxtel-go|title=Foxtel Now mobile app gets retired, replaced by Foxtel Go from today|last=Lambrecths|first=Stephen|work=TechRadar|date=September 17, 2019|access-date=December 12, 2021}}

Streaming channels

The following is a list of the subscription packages on offer and the respective channels included:

{{Columns-start|num=1}}Pop & Lifestyle (starter packs)

{{columns-end}}{{Columns-start|num=3}}Drama

{{column}}Sport

ESPN
ESPN2
Fox Cricket 501
Fox League 502
Fox Sports 503
Fox Footy 504 (not available on PC/Mac)
Fox Sports 505
Fox Sports 506
Fox Sports More 507

{{column}}Movies

Foxtel Movies Action
Foxtel Movies Comedy
Foxtel Movies Kids
Foxtel Movies Family
Foxtel Movies Greats
Foxtel Movies Hits
Foxtel Movies Premiere
Foxtel Movies Romance
Foxtel Movies Thriller
Lifetime Movie Network

{{columns-end}}{{Columns-start|num=3}}Additional channels included in every package

Compatible devices

The following is a list of Foxtel Now (4K and HD) compatible devices.

Chromecast
Telstra TV
PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5{{cite web|title=Foxtel Now on PlayStation®4 & Foxtel Play on PlayStation®3 |url=https://www.foxtel.com.au/now/support/how-it-works/devices/playstation.html|publisher=Foxtel|website=Foxtel|access-date=31 July 2017}}
Apple TV (via AirPlay){{Cite web|url=https://www.foxtel.com.au/about/media-centre/press-releases/2017/foxtel-now-streams-to-apple-tv-with-airplay.html|title=Foxtel Now streams to Apple TV with AirPlay|website=Foxtel|language=en|access-date=12 December 2017}}
Sony Android TVs
PC and Mac (browser streaming requires Google Chrome)

The following is a list of Foxtel Now (SD) compatible devices.{{cite web|title=How it works|url=http://www.foxtel.com.au/foxtelplay/howitworks/default.htm|publisher=Foxtel|access-date=11 February 2015}}

LG Smart TV's (selected 2013 models)
PlayStation 3 (since 1 April 2014){{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|title=Foxtel Play now on) PS3|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2014/04/foxtel-play-now-on-ps3.html|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=10 February 2015|date=1 April 2014}}
Samsung Smart TV's (2012–2015 models, Any Smart Hub enabled 2012–2013 model Blu-Ray Players and Home Theatre Systems)
Sony (2014 model Smart TVs){{cite web|last=Knox|first=David|title=Foxtel Play added to Xbox One, Sony smart TVs.|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2015/04/foxtel-play-added-to-xbox-one-sony-smart-tvs.html|publisher=TV Tonight|access-date=17 April 2015|date=13 April 2015}}

Foxtel Now for Xbox 360 was discontinued on 1 July 2016.{{citation needed|date=December 2018}}

Foxtel Now mobile application for Android Mobiles and Tablets which is supported until Android 10 and Apple iPhones and iPads until iOS 13 was discontinued on 17 September 2019.{{cite web|title=Foxtel Now on mobile & tablet |url=https://www.foxtel.com.au/now/support/how-it-works/devices/mobile-tablet.html|publisher=Foxtel|website=Foxtel|access-date=31 July 2017}}