Foxtel announces closure of SoHo drama channel; To be replaced by Binge

Foxtel has today announced the closure of its premium SoHo drama channel and the launch of additional ‘boxset’ style channel Binge.

Foxtel says the new channel will be ‘designed to meet the ever increasing consumer demand for box sets entertainment, scheduled around the clock, seven days a week’.

The new channel will launch on October 1, 2016 and will feature a curated selection of complete seasons of drama, comedy and entertainment for viewers to indulge in.

The move follows Foxtel 2014 launch of its first linear BoxSets channel. Together with Foxtel’s on demand service Anytime, allows customers to watch collections and selected series of some of the world’s greatest drama, including the extensive libraries of HBO, 21st Century Fox and other Hollywood studios.

Binge and the BoxSets channels provide subscribers without an internet connection the ability to watch whole seasons of their favourite shows.

The new channel will replace SoHo. The majority of SoHo content will move to showcase, with some series moving to FOX8, Arena and TV H!TS. The move will allow Foxtel to market showcase as the Australian home of drama. 

SoHo’s programming, including Australian drama series Wentworth and A Place to Call Home, and US series Outlander, The Americans, Nashville, Shameless and Bates Motel, will be seen on showcase moving forward.

Binge will feature a wide range of television drama aimed at the 18-49 and 25-54 market including encore marathon presentations of programs such as Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, Pretty Little Liars, Vampire Diaries, Empire, Girls, Californication, Veep and Grimm.

Foxtel’s Executive Director of Television, Brian Walsh, said:

“This move enables us to further strengthen showcase, making it the premium, premiere super channel on the Foxtel platform. showcase is the home of HBO in Australia and world renown series such as Game of Thrones, Veep, The Night of, The Leftovers and Girls will now be joined by hit programs including Outlander and Aussie favourites Wentworth and A Place to Call Home.

“At Foxtel we strive to provide our customers with viewing options that suit them. Since the launch of BoxSets in 2014, the service has been embraced by audiences across the country. As more and more people adopt on demand viewing the addition of Binge will give our subscribers even more choice of quality must-watch content.”

For customers without an internet connected iQ box, Foxtel’s Binge and BoxSets will feature continuous broadcast of popular drama series that can be recorded on the Foxtel iQ and played back at a time that suits customers. Foxtel cable and satellite customers can watch showcase, BoxSets and Binge (available October 1) as part of the Foxtel drama pack.