Subscription television in Australia#History

{{Expand section|1993 license auction and 2002 content sharing agreement|date=November 2010}}

Galaxy was the first provider of subscription television in Australia, launching a MMDS service on 26 January 1995.{{Cite news |last=Bertolus |first=Phil |date=1995-02-02 |title=At home with Pay TV |page=1 |work=The Age |department=Green Guide |url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news950202_0222_6206 |url-status=dead |access-date=2010-01-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321004042/http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news950202_0222_6206 |archive-date=2012-03-21}} Originally Premier Sports Network was the only local channel to be fully operational, with Showtime and Encore launching in March.{{Cite news |last=Oliver |first=Robin |date=1997-03-06 |title=Galaxy of stars but light on hard info |page=8 |work=Sydney Morning Herald |url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news950306_0093_5182 |url-status=dead |access-date=2009-12-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927223333/http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news950306_0093_5182 |archive-date=2011-09-27 |quote=In addition to its sports network, already operating, Galaxy trebled the choice on Friday when Showtime, a premium movie channel, and Encore, a movie favourites channel, got under way.}} They were later joined in April by TV1, Arena, Max, Red and Quest.{{Cite news |last=Wilmoth |first=Peter |date=1997-04-15 |title=Screen test - Do we really need pay-TV |page=5 |work=The Sunday Age |url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news950415_0038_9733 |access-date=2009-12-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927223424/http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news950415_0038_9733 |archive-date=2011-09-27 |quote=TV1 channel, the service's fourth channel of the eight planned, which was launched on 2 April}}{{Cite news |last=Browne |first=Rachel |date=1995-04-22 |title=Galaxy takes knife to fees |page=23 |work=The Sun-Herald |location=Sydney |url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news950422_0197_2665 |url-status=dead |access-date=2009-12-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716085836/http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news950422_0197_2665 |archive-date=2011-07-16 |quote=XYZ Entertainment is launching the other four Galaxy channels today. They are a documentary channel Quest, children's and cult TV channel Max, general entertainment channel Arena and music channel Red.}} A satellite service was launched later in the year.

Optus Vision and Austar launched their cable services on 19 September followed by Foxtel on 22 October.{{Cite news |last=Potter |first=Ben |date=1995-09-19 |title=Handful of households switch on to cable |page=6 |work=The Age |url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news950919_0128_1473 |url-status=dead |access-date=2010-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813133703/http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news950919_0128_1473 |archive-date=2011-08-13}}{{Cite news |last=Potter |first=Ben |date=1995-10-23 |title=No fanfare as Foxtel hits the airwaves |page=6 |work=The Age |url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news951023_0211_9795 |url-status=dead |access-date=2010-02-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919034544/http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news951023_0211_9795 |archive-date=2011-09-19}}

Northgate Communications launched their service on 13 March 1997.{{Cite news |last=Walker |first=David |date=1997-03-14 |title=Ballarat backs new cable roll-out |page=3 |work=The Age |url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news970314_0188_7586 |url-status=dead |access-date=2010-02-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321004342/http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news970314_0188_7586 |archive-date=2012-03-21}} It was later acquired by Neighbourhood Cable.{{Cite news |date=1999-12-14 |title=Pay TV operator offers free phone in bush. |page=32 |work=The Australian}}

Galaxy was closed on 20 May 1998.{{Cite news |last=Simpson |first=Kirsty |date=1998-05-21 |title=Lights out for Galaxy |page=1 |work=The Age |url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news980521_0265_8078 |url-status=dead |access-date=2010-02-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321004501/http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news980521_0265_8078 |archive-date=2012-03-21}} Two weeks later Foxtel significantly boosted its customer base by acquiring Galaxy subscribers from the liquidator of Australis Media and immediately commenced supplying programming to Galaxy's subscribers on an interim basis.{{Cite news |last=Davies |first=Anne |date=1998-06-03 |title=Foxtel pulls off coup in battle for pay TV |page=31 |work=Sydney Morning Herald |location=Canberra |url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news980603_0686_6609 |url-status=dead |access-date=2010-02-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813131343/http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news980603_0686_6609 |archive-date=2011-08-13}} In February 1999 Foxtel began offering its own satellite service to new customers.{{Cite news |last=Dasey |first=Daniel |date=1999-02-28 |title=Pay TV audience doubles |page=33 |work=The Sun-Herald |location=Sydney |url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news990303_0617_4282 |url-status=dead |access-date=2010-02-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321004447/http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news990303_0617_4282 |archive-date=2012-03-21}}

Following the collapse, ECTV quickly signed a deal with Optus Vision.{{Cite news |last=Joyce |first=James |date=1998-05-29 |title=ECT's New Pay-TV Vision |page=2 |work=Newcastle Herald |department=Friday Guide |url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news980601_0137_8804 |url-status=dead |access-date=2010-04-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813062144/http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news980601_0137_8804 |archive-date=2011-08-13}} Less than two months later, it was acquired by Austar, along with its stake in XYZ.{{Cite news |last=Mathieson |first=Clive |date=1998-07-10 |title=Austar expands pay TV interests |page=23 |work=The Australian}} Austar replaced the ECTV packages with their own in September.{{Cite news |last=Allen |first=Jodi |date=1998-08-28 |title=PayTV hope looms on region's horizon |page=7 |work=Illawarra Mercury |url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news980831_0104_3628 |url-status=dead |access-date=2010-04-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403164419/http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=news980831_0104_3628 |archive-date=2012-04-03}}

TransTV launched in 2001, beginning with VoD followed later by linear channels.{{Cite news |last=Manktelow |first=Nicole |date=2001-03-13 |title=ACT debuts video on demand |page=8 |work=Sydney Morning Herald |url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=SMH0103130II8C62S7IA |url-status=dead |access-date=2010-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403165522/http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=SMH0103130II8C62S7IA |archive-date=2012-04-03}}{{Cite news |last=Manktelow |first=Nicole |date=2001-08-07 |title=Mix Of TV Gets Canberra On Cable |page=1 |work=Sydney Morning Herald |url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=SMH010807F7G9V7ETKTA |url-status=dead |access-date=2010-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403165530/http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?docID=SMH010807F7G9V7ETKTA |archive-date=2012-04-03}}

UBI World TV launched in 2004. Also in 2004, TV PLUS launched its Ethnic platforms catering for Balkans, Russians and other Eastern European communities.{{cn|date=June 2021}} Foxtel and Austar both launched their digital offerings in 2004, with a total of 130 channels. The following year, Foxtel introduces their Foxtel iQ personal video recorder.{{Cite web |title=Digital revolution: 2004-05 |url=http://www.astra.org.au/industry/history-1/digital-revolution-2004-05 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308082010/http://www.astra.org.au/industry/history-1/digital-revolution-2004-05 |archive-date=2021-03-08 |access-date=2021-04-22 |website=Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association}}

SelecTV launched on 12 April 2006.{{Cite news |last=Bolt |first=Cathy |date=2006-04-12 |title=$20m float for pay-TV player |page=58 |work=The West Australian |location=Perth, Australia}} It ceased its English programming in late 2010.{{Cite news |last=Chessell |first=James |date=2010-08-20 |title= Bruce Gordon's SelecTV to make changes |work=The Australian |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/city-beat/bruce-gordons-selectv-to-make-changes/story-fn4xq4cj-1225907617882 |access-date=2010-08-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105173730/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/bruce-gordons-selectv-to-make-changes/story-e6frg996-1225907617882 |archive-date=2014-01-05}}

Neighbourhood Cable with its hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) cable networks in three Victorian regional cities of Mildura, Ballarat and Geelong was acquired by TransACT at the end of 2007.{{Cite news |last=Downie |first=Graham |date=2007-12-19 |title=TransACT in Vic move |page=6 |work=Canberra Times}} In November 2011, TransACT was acquired by iiNet Limited, which in 2015 itself became a subsidiary of TPG.{{Cite news |last=Hopewell |first=Luke |date=2015-08-20 |title=ACCC Gives TPG The A-OK To Buy iiNet |work=Gizmodo |url=http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2015/08/accc-gives-tpg-the-a-ok-to-buy-iinet/ |url-status=live |access-date=2015-08-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821122445/http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2015/08/accc-gives-tpg-the-a-ok-to-buy-iinet/ |archive-date=2015-08-21}}

Foxtel commenced their HD service in February 2009.{{cn|date=June 2021}}

Fetch TV entered the market in 2010 with a subscription service over a few ADSL2+ networks.

UBI World TV filed for bankruptcy and ceased trading in June 2012.{{cite web | title=UBI World TV subscribers forced to call administrators after bankruptcy | website=Neos Kosmos | date=19 June 2012 | url=https://neoskosmos.com/en/12324/ubi-world-tv-subsrcibers-forced-to-call-administrators/ | access-date=17 June 2021}}

Almost all channels which currently or previously operated in Australia were available through Foxtel and Austar, being the dominant player in the market. However, some smaller competitors offer a subset of channels which are exclusive or unavailable on Foxtel services.{{cn|date=June 2021}}

Satellite television is a service that delivers television programming to viewers by relaying it from a communications satellite orbiting the Earth directly to the viewer's location.{{Cite web |year=2020 |title=Radio Regulations: Vol 1, Article 1.39 |url=http://handle.itu.int/11.1002/pub/814b0c44-en |access-date=2021-04-23 |website=International Telecommunication Union |page=20 |format=PDF |quote=broadcasting-satellite service: A radiocommunication service in which signals transmitted or retransmitted by space stations are intended for direct reception by the general public.}} The signals are received via an outdoor parabolic antenna commonly referred to as a satellite dish and a low-noise block downconverter. In Australia, paid satellite television is or has been provided through the following satellites:

• Foxtel uses the Optus C1 and Optus D3 satellites.
• The various Globecast platform services use PAS 8.
• MySAT uses PAS 8.
• The various PanGlobal TV platform services use PAS 8.
• TFCDirect! uses PAS 8.
• Canal+ Australie uses Intelsat 701.
• Pacific Media uses AsiaSat 4.

Hybrid fibre-coaxial (HFC) is a broadband network that combines optical fibre and coaxial cable. It has been commonly employed globally by cable television operators since the early 1990s. In Australia it is used or has been used by:

• Foxtel use Telstra's cable in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
• Optus use their own cable network in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to provide subscription television. However, the service has reportedly become unavailable in areas where the National Broadband Network is rolled out.{{Cite news |last=Turner |first=Adam |date=2017-03-10 |title=Optus killing pay TV in NBN-ready areas, what are the alternatives? |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |url=https://www.smh.com.au/technology/optus-killing-pay-tv-in-nbnready-areas-what-are-the-alternatives-20170310-guv3ey.html |access-date=2020-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707195429/https://www.smh.com.au/technology/optus-killing-pay-tv-in-nbnready-areas-what-are-the-alternatives-20170310-guv3ey.html |archive-date=2020-07-07}}
• Neighbourhood Cable (merged with TransACT) provides a TV service over their own cable to Geelong, Ballarat and Mildura.

The majority of these cable networks has since been removed from service, with many parts of the Telstra HFC network (used by Foxtel) integrated into the National Broadband Network - the Optus network was planned to be similarly integrated, but it was later determined to not be financially viable due to the network being in a state of disrepair.{{cite web |title=NBN Co dumps Optus HFC for FTTdp |url=https://www.itnews.com.au/news/nbn-co-is-ditching-optus-hfc-for-fttdp-438398 |website=iTnews |access-date=29 July 2022}}

As Optus' subscription TV platform eventually focused selling Foxtel's service over their own cable network, they (essentially) discontinued their service in preparation for handing over their cable. Customers were encouraged to contact and subscribe to Foxtel to continue receiving those services - Foxtel, in turn, migrated all cable customers (both their own and new customers previously with Optus) to their satellite service.

Optus remains in the subscription television market through the relaunched Optus Sport platform and retailing Fetch TV, both of which are internet-based services (although Optus Sport is available as part of Tabcorp's SKY satellite-based offering to pubs and clubs or, at an extra monthly cost, via satellite to consumers, with both requiring special decoders).

Excluding internet-based services, Foxtel is the sole remaining "traditional" mainstream pay TV operator in Australia; Foxtel's satellite service is also the last remaining offering in the field, having acquired Austar in 2012 and Optus having withdrawn their cable offering due to the transfer of the network infrastructure.

Foxtel have continuously been trying to integrate broadband internet into their service, both by selling broadband plans (via the NBN) and by using the internet to expand their television service. Several popular streaming apps, such as catch-up TV and Netflix are supported on their iQ4 decoder, which also supports "Start Over" functionality (via a simultaneous internet stream of most channels).

Foxtel's upcoming iQ5 (and possibly the existing iQ4) set-top-boxes are also intending to support an "internet-only" mode which doesn't require a satellite signal to operate. As they have begun offering similar streaming boxes, separate to their traditional decoders, it is likely that Foxtel may consider discontinuing the satellite service if the internet is able to support a similar level of service to the satellite one. Given the issues in regional Australia when it comes to broadband access, this may take several years to become feasible.

{{see also|Internet television in Australia}}

Internet television in Australia is the digital distribution of movies and television content via the Internet. In Australia, paid internet television is provided by a number of generalist streaming service providers, in addition to several niche providers that focus on specific genres. Major providers of streaming services in Australia include:

• Netflix
• Prime Video
• Paramount+
• Stan
• Disney+
• HBO Max
• Foxtel Now
• Binge
• Kayo Sports
• Apple TV+

Internet television in Australia is also provided by IPTV:

• FetchTV provides IPTV through the Telstra, dodo, iiNet, Internode, Aussie Broadband, iPrimus and Westnet Internet networks,{{Cite news |date=2010-04-12 |title=iiNet to deliver TV over internet |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |agency=Australian Associated Press |url=https://smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/iinet-to-deliver-tv-over-internet-20100412-s2q6.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited |access-date=2010-04-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413103822/https://smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/iinet-to-deliver-tv-over-internet-20100412-s2q6.html |archive-date=2010-04-13}}{{Cite news |last=Sinclair |first=Lara |date=2009-11-24 |title=Fetch locks in TV partners |page=21 |work=The Australian |url=http://theaustralian.com.au/business/industry-sectors/fetch-locks-in-isp-partners-for-new-pay-tv/story-e6frg95f-1225802678393 |access-date=2010-04-13}}{{dead link|date=April 2020|fix-attempted=yes}}{{Cite web |title=FAQs - Before you get Fetch |url=https://www.fetchtv.com.au/faqs?topic=before-you-get-fetchtv-broadband-internet |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423002234/https://www.fetchtv.com.au/faqs?topic=before-you-get-fetchtv-broadband-internet |archive-date=2021-04-23 |access-date=2021-04-23 |website=Fetch TV}} or any other internet provider when their set top box is purchased from one of their retail partners.
• TransACT's TransTV service (merged with Neighbourhood Cable) uses VDSL over a fibre-to-the-kerb network in some suburbs of the A.C.T.
• Foxtel uses the Internet to provide some extra content to its iQ2 platform. It also offers Foxtel on Xbox, a subset of Foxtel channels via any internet provider{{Cite web |last=Carroll |first=Pam |date=2010-10-18 |title=Foxtel on Xbox 360 channels, pricing announced |url=http://www.cnet.com.au/foxtel-on-xbox-360-channels-pricing-announced-339306661.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125185426/http://www.cnet.com.au/foxtel-on-xbox-360-channels-pricing-announced-339306661.htm |archive-date=2010-11-25 |access-date=2010-11-29 |website=CNET}}

A number of subscription television services in Australia have become defunct or are no longer supported in Australia:

• Austar previously delivered an analogue MMDS service into selected regional areas, however the system was dumped in the late 1990s/early 2000s. Austar also briefly tested a digital MMDS service on the Gold Coast.
• TARBS leased some of Austar's metropolitan licenses for their service.
• ECTV and Galaxy also used MMDS.
• SelecTV used Intelsat 8 until administrators shut the service down in January 2011.{{Cite web |last=bacco{{!}}007 |date=2011-02-04 |title=Time called on WIN's pay TV company |url=http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2011/02/04/time-called-on-wins-pay-tv-company/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305084103/http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2011/02/04/time-called-on-wins-pay-tv-company/ |archive-date=2011-03-05 |access-date=2011-03-02 |website=The Spy Report |publisher=Media Spy}}
• UBI World TV used Optus D2 and Intelsat 8 until United Broadcasting International Pty Ltd ceased to trade on 8 June 2012.
• Austar has ceased transmission 24 May 2012, prior to this, Foxtel had acquired Austar.

{{Portal|Television|Australia}}

• Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association (ASTRA)
• Internet television in Australia

{{reflist}}

{{Subscription television channels in Australia}}

{{CATV Africa, Asia, Middle East and Oceania}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Subscription Television In Australia}}

Category:Australian subscription television services

Category:Television in Australia