FOXTEL Launches Internet TV Service FOXTEL On Demand

Friday, October 1st, 2010
FOXTEL logo

FOXTEL today announced it will broaden its suite of services by connecting the internet to its set-top-boxes. The new FOXTEL On Demand service delivers TV and movies straight to the High Definition iQ2 set-top-box via an internet connection.

Combining broadcast and broadband, the new FOXTEL On Demand service provides FOXTEL subscribers access to over a thousand TV episodes and hundreds of movies to watch instantly, simply by connecting a modem to the High Definition iQ2 set-top-box – it’s like having a video store in your living room.

FOXTEL On Demand works seamlessly with the existing FOXTEL service providing another dimension to the FOXTEL entertainment offering that includes TV channels, an online service, recording using the iQ2 set-top-box, and now On Demand. FOXTEL On Demand is accessible simply and intuitively through FOXTEL’s existing on-screen TV Guide.

From October 1 all FOXTEL iQ2 set-top-boxes will start receiving the software upgrade delivering the new On Demand features to the FOXTEL TV Guide automatically.

FOXTEL CEO, Kim Williams AM, said, “FOXTEL On Demand delivers further on FOXTEL’s compelling consumer proposition of putting you in control of your television viewing and allowing you to watch what you want, when you want to and increasingly over a device of your choice.

“FOXTEL has been investing in its technology to build on the suite of services available to our subscribers and with the launch of On Demand, FOXTEL has moved to the internet and completed its offering which includes HD, 3D and Internet TV to become the home of entertainment.

“This is the perfect time for FOXTEL to launch its On Demand Internet TV service as broadband is available at faster speeds, and internet plans are becoming more affordable. If you have FOXTEL at home the iQ2 set-top-box is the only box you’ll ever need to watch TV and movies On Demand instantly, whenever you like.”

TV and movies waiting for you

With your set-top-box connected to the internet, On Demand gives you the power to download an even wider range of entertainment – from every genre like drama, comedy, kids, lifestyle and reality – straight to your iQ2 planner to watch when it suits you.

FOXTEL On Demand lets you watch what you like from a choice of hundreds of movies and over a thousand TV episodes, with the number of titles expanding and increasing to over 5000 movies and TV episodes by 2011.

Hit TV Series available on FOXTEL On Demand at launch include Mad Men (MOVIE EXTRA), Jersey Shore (MTV), Australia’s Next Top Model (FOX8), The Hills (MTV), Tough Nuts (Crime & Investigation Network), Ice Road Truckers (FOX8), Summer Heights High (The Comedy Channel), Spirited (W), iCarly (Nickelodeon), :30 seconds (The Comedy Channel), Life After People Special (The History Channel), and Hoarders (Bio).

FOXTEL On Demand lets subscribers download entire TV series to watch when it suits them. Each TV episode is available for $2.95 and some children’s programming is available for $1.95 per episode such as Ben 10 (The Cartoon Network) and Dora the Explorer (nick jr).

Movies available on FOXTEL On Demand from October include Toy Story, ET, Finding Nemo, Back To The Future, American Pie, Mystery Men, Twilight, 10 Things I Hate About You, The Sixth Sense, Pirates of the Caribbean, Psycho, Twelve Monkeys, and so many more. Library movies are available for $3.95 each.

New release movies available in October on FOXTEL On Demand through FOXTEL Box Office include Date Night, Kick-Ass and Hot Tub Time Machine. New release movies are available for $5.50 each. New release High Definition movies are available for $5.95 each.

TV and movie titles are available for extended rental through the On Demand service. Once a title has been viewed the rental period will begin – the rental period is 48 hours for movies and an extended rental of 10 days for TV episodes, which will increase to a 60 day rental period from December. Inside the rental period you can watch the movie or TV show as many times as you like.

New technology made simple

FOXTEL On Demand is a new technology made simple to use and integrated within the existing FOXTEL TV Guide. Anyone with an iQ2 set-top-box and broadband at home can connect the internet to the iQ2 set-top-box (via a modem) and start using the service.

The service provides prompts to help subscribers set-up FOXTEL On Demand. Subscribers should call the FOXTEL call centre on 131 999 to activate the On Demand service once plugged in, or for advice on how to get set-up.

When a program has been purchased and starts downloading, the progressive download technology means you can start watching a show before it has completely downloaded.

FOXTEL subscribers must have an eligible ADSL/cable broadband service with an available Ethernet port. FOXTEL recommends a minimum broadband speed of 1.5MB per second. The iQ2 set-top-box uses broadband internet to retrieve content and the iQ2 must be connected to the internet at all times.

Any Internet Service Provider (ISP) is compatible, however Telstra BigPond customers will have unmetered usage of the FOXTEL On Demand service.

FOXTEL has your entertainment needs available in one place
FOXTEL On Demand is another simple way to get access to great content in your home. On Demand completes the FOXTEL experience providing alternative TV and movie entertainment options through the one FOXTEL remote.

FOXTEL plans to roll the On Demand service out to selected FOXTEL iQ set-top-boxes from December this year.