Foxtel axes 19 channels as it prepares for fresh Netflix battle

Foxtel has announced it will remove nineteen channels from its streaming service Foxtel Play as it prepares to relaunch the service in a move to more closely compete with streaming competitors.

From Monday June 5, Foxtel will be removing BoxSets, 13th Street, Binge, Syfy, Discovery Science, Animal Planet, Lifestyle You, Style, World Movies, CNN, Smooth, BBC World News, CNBC, Max, CMC, Eurosport News, Foxtel Arts, MTV Music and MTV Dance from the Foxtel Play service.

Full details on the new Foxtel Play packages and pricing are available below.

A spokesperson for Foxtel confirmed the reduction in channels telling DeciderTV, “Periodically we make changes to our proposition in our push to give customers more of the content they want, delivered how they want to watch it.  In December we lowered the entry point for Foxtel Play to $10 per month, making Foxtel more accessible than ever. 

Foxtel Play customers will continue to enjoy access to the best choice of blockbuster movies, new shows and complete seasons, including every new HBO drama and Foxtel originals, as well as live sport. “

The move comes as Foxtel prepares to rebrand its streaming service as Foxtel Now. The new product launching in the next few weeks will have a greater focus on providing on-demand content similar to Netflix and Stan, rather than providing programming via linear channels.

The changes to Foxtel Play comes after the company shutdown its other SVOD service Presto earlier this year, much of the content previously featured on Presto will now be available via Foxtel Now.

As part of the changes, Foxtel is removing popular drama channels Boxsets and Binge, however all of the content from these two channels will remain available on-demand for Foxtel Now customers.

To coincide with the launch of Foxtel Now, the company will also update its streaming apps across mobile, tablet, smart TV and gaming consoles providing improved menu’s and access to content in High Definition.

Foxtel will also launch its own ‘puck’ style device for accessing Foxtel Now and other streaming services before the end of 2017.

The reduction in channels will only affect subscribers to Foxtel Play, a spokeperson for Foxtel confirming to DeciderTV there will be “no changes to satellite/cable customers.”