Foxtel announces low-cost Play service for Netflix battle

Foxtel has today announced announced a new approach to pricing and packaging for IP delivered subscription TV service, Foxtel Play.

The move is designed to increase consumer choice and to break down traditional barriers to taking up Foxtel’s services as the company looks to compete with new low cost competitors including Netflix.

Foxtel is promising new “low cost entry points” at prices that will be”highly competitive with SVOD services, while still providing access to Foxtel’s superior content.”

Full details on pricing were not revealed today, however the company has confirmed It will create five different entry level tiers to match viewers’ interests including two options for drama plus one option for Lifestyle, one for Documentary and one for Kids.

Customers wishing to subscribe to the Sports or Movies tiers will be required to subscribe at least one of the entry level tiers.

Subscribers will have access to all linear channels in the tier along with all of the on-demand, catch up and library content available to that tier plus mobile access via Foxtel Go.

Announcing the new pricing Foxtel CEO, Peter Tonagh said: 

“Foxtel has been at the forefront of providing unrivalled entertainment to customers for more than 20 years. Our new flexible pricing and delivery will mean that even more Australians will be able to design a subscription that works for them and once they experience what we have to offer, we’re confident they’ll be hungry for more,”

As part of its new delivery options, Foxtel also confirmed it is developing a new low cost ‘puck’ to access its IP delivered content. When it launches it will have a user interface with sophisticated search and recommendation functionality. The Puck is being developed on an “open platform” meaning additional services such as ABC iview or Netflix can be accessed on the same device. The Foxtel Puck is believed to based on the same Roku design currently used by Telstra. Foxtel Play is not available via the Telstra TV device despite Telstra owning a 50% stake in Foxtel.

With the new pricing, Foxtel is now providing everything from a low cost, low commitment entry point, through to the premium, high end of the subscription TV spectrum via full service cable/satellite set top boxes.

In addition, to it’s new IP pricing, Foxtel also announced that it has entered a new agreement with HBO that will give subscribers even more extensive access to the HBO’s library.

Mr Tonagh also announced that in December Foxtel will launch a new kids app that will enable kids to have access to all of Foxtel’s great children’s content, wherever they are. By downloading the app parents will be sure that their children only have access to age appropriate programming.