TV Blackbox’s Viewer’s Advocate Steve Molk gets hands on with Foxtel’s new integrated streaming/FTA TV external device (puck)…HUBBL.
Molk got down and dirty with the unit the minute it arrived to help bust some myths as much as find out how Hubbl actually works for the consumer.
What’s it like out of the box? What’s the setup like? What are the key features? How well does it work? What are some things that could improve? He had so many questions and discovered a whole bunch of things as he started to click around inside.
Molk also spends some time answering the key questions that he (and others) had pre-launch:
- How challenging is Hubbl to set up?
- Does it need a terrestrial antenna to work for FTA TV?
- Are the FAST channels from the FTA networks available in Hubbl?
- How well does it integrate the FTA and Streaming content?
- What are the costs to run Hubbl?
Then there’s the $99 question… Do you need one if you already use Google Chromecast, Amazon Firestick, Apple TV, or Fetch Mini?
This review is recorded after only a couple of hours of setup and use – the full power of Hubbl comes from the built-in algorithm learning your viewing patterns and your growing watchlist while using the device. Will you get one (or be getting the TV unit Hubbl Glass)? What features do you think will help you, and what additional features would you like to see?
Hubbl costs $99 as a one-off purchase (this price does not include monthly streaming subscription costs), and launches Sunday 10 March 2024.
The unit is available for purchase from JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, and from hubbl.com.au.
I don’t have one, but already know I don’t need one because I have an Apple TV.
Hi Rich – that’s great. You’re not Hubbl’s target…yet. 😉
Good review, but I prefer my Apple TV. With loads more apps available
Shane Ritter thanks. The Apple TV does have more apps, but the Hubbl has better app integration. It’s horses for courses in your case.
What? Full time 60Hz output, locked?
When Australian Broadcasters use 50Hz?
An instant ‘NO’ from me.
At least other devices allow you to match framerate to the source, giving the best presentation over HDMI.
I use Google for all my streaming services so do I need the Hubbl box to continue with Kayo and Binge services? I don’t have Fox but sounds similar to their IQ boxes just an added expense I think and if they have upgrades do you need to get new box for the upgrades.
Hi Peter – sounds like you don’t need it if you access Binge and Kayo Sports on another platform. The Hubbl does integrate those, other streamers, and FTA together really well.
Seems like an answer to a question nobody asked.
Hi Arthur – not really. The push for ‘re-integration’ is industry wide, and this is not a bad answer to that…especially for less tech-savvy people.
I need one on day one. Still not up for presale on jbhifi though
I prefer my Android box. Can load apps from Play store and 3rd parties at half the cost of a Hubbl.
Aaron Mill that’s fine. Hubbl isn’t for you.
Do I need to change from foxtel to this? I already have a foxtel subscription?
Hi Mark – you’d need to do the math and compare your Foxtel sub costs with Binge, Kayo, Flash, and Lifestyle subs (acknowledging the stacking discount in Hubbl). You’d also need to have a reliable internet service to your home, and be happy not recording anything. After that…anything is possible!
Amazon fire stick dose the same and it’s not owned by Foxtel
Hi Ricky – you are correct on both counts…mostly. The Firestick does not integrate FTA TV with Streaming the way Hubbl does.
Telstra has bought out a boxcalled fetch.
$400 for the box then after the free 3 month service you can pick the package you want.
We are pensioners and trying to cut down the monthly cost of foxtel.
Hi Julie – Fetch have been around for some time. Telstra have only recently bought into the company and started releasing the boxes to replace the Telstra TV. Fetch make a great product, and are a great competitor to the Hubbl device I have reviewed here. The downside for Fetch (at the moment) is no Binge/Kayo.
Nice review Steve. In light of recent Foxtel package/ price changes,(as much as I like recording stuff for later or skipping adverts),with increasing channels reverting from them back to Disney Plus or similar, I’m certainly nudging my elderly parent we can do better value wise mixing some streaming services vs $70/month foxtel.
What’s the experience of Binge vs Foxtel? I have streamed foxtel programming,so imagine its similar, but is the Binge App itself clunky to change channels/shows in,is it prone to crashes etc?
About the only pity is no ability to buy movies etc., but I get it,they all want us to subscribe not necessarily buy stuff to own permanently!
Btw,is the Fetch Max worthwhile as a free to air PVR? Doesn’t seem to be many similar local devices these days more’s the pity!
Hi Muzz – thanks for watching! As budgets get tighter it is a fair realisation to consider how you can get more bang for buck, and streamers will do that.
I’ve found the streaming iterations of Foxtel’s various products to be very reliable. The Binge and Kayo integration in the Hubbl is tight and works very, very well.
The Fetch Mighty is a brilliant PVR, and offer cheap IP channel packages that might help fill the void post-Foxtel. I’m planning to do a side by side on the Fetch Mini and this Hubbl external device as they are very similar.
Don’t see any point google tv ok we’re inventing things we don’t need just make more money for these companies
Tom Marshall you invented it?! 😉 welcome to capitalism!
Does have the Foxtel Now app?
Hi Bob – no, it doesn’t because it has Binge, Kayo Sports, Flash, and Lifestyle.
They great review Molk! I’m now deciding if it is worth it for us here meaning cheaper as we are platinum foxtel subscribers but we also have the big streaming apps aswell ie Stan Netflix Disney Paramount Prime also we have Bein Sports and MLB.TV… do you know if there is access to these last two on the Hubbl?
Hi Michael – thanks so much for watching, and indeed that’s an interesting consideration. Would love to know what your outcome is…
As it stands, BeIN Sports and MLB are not scheduled for inclusion in the Hubbl platform (though I’m not on the inside and that could change at any moment). All we know right now is Stan, P+, and Optus Sport are not there but are in development/slated for release “soon”.
As a retail owner of a Fetch 4K Mighty that records, I bought direct from Fetch for $89 with a brand new voice activated remote, why would I buy Foxtel wannabe?
The Fetch packages are cheaper and I choose my own ISP am not overcharged by a greedy Foxtel.
Hi Rob – It’s great that you have a solution you’re happy with and you can stick with it!
I have a few Vodafone TV boxes that are ancient now but served their purposes perfectly, flicking between free to air channels like a psychopath just like many did years ago before streaming. Looking to replace these with anything including an antenna port is impossible, but this simple feature is in this (and the fetch tbf), so am definitely keen on this.
The old Telstra TV still seems to be the best option. Hubbl doesn’t have Stan or BritBox (no release dates), Fetch doesn’t have Binge. Telstra TV has them all, just not well integrated for searching content.
Hi Matt – the power of Hubbl is indeed the search, and Telstra have discontinued support for the Telstra TV. BINGE and KAYO will appear on Fetch “soon”, and Stan will appear on Hubbl mid-year.
Hi Steve.
Any plans for supporting any casting options (Airplay, chromecast, Miracast, etc)? I’ve seen a throw-away reference to casting audio and video to the Hubbl glass but nothing specific. Or planned support for streaming from local/personal media servers?
Hi Peter – no plans on casting from what I’ve heard from Hubbl (that doesn’t mean it won’t change). I would certainly expect no access to local media servers (that’s not what Hubbl’s core business is about).
What has streaming come to. I haven’t touched a streaming service in years since the race for each company to have their own streaming service. I’ll stick with my all in one media using Plex, and my iptv for sport. I feel sorry for people who have to fuck around with multiple services
Hi Josh – sounds like you have very specific needs that you’ve found a solution for. That’s great. Clearly Hubbl is not for you. Play on!
Not so much as specific needs so much as not willing to swallow a dozen subscription services, the ads they incorporate into their paid services, and the wait times licence holders put on media reaching our little corner of the globe
Hi Josh – that’s not quite how it works at all.
More often than not, you can not watch the latest episode of newly released/aired shows in Australia. Take two currently running shows right now – The Rookie and 9-1-1. At present, there is no way to be able to watch them in Australia without ads. They aren’t even available for sale. It IS how it works, and if you think otherwise, you’re either misinformed or mistaken. Netflix has an ads tier, and Amazon just recently added ads into their streaming service and asks for payment to remove them now – https://www.reddit.com/r/amazonprime/s/PrPlSklTQx
Objectively Steve, streaming services suck now compared to piracy, and that’s why piracy is on the rise again in Australia after falling in popularly when Netflix was first introduced into the land downunder – https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-10/how-streaming-costs-are-driving-australians-to-piracy/103083336#
If subscription services aren’t throwing ads (or forcing consumers to pay additional costs to remove them) and have newly released/aired content within the same day they’re aired/released in the states ISN’T how it works like you say, then how does it work? Because I fail to see how I can watch many newly released episodes in Australia without the downfalls of ads or MULTIPLE streaming services. Happy to be enlightened though
Hi Josh – the challenge you seem to be struggling with is the ‘right’ to watch any and all television when and how you want. The very commercial nature of TV – and therefore the existence of commercial contracts and the ads that support them – are antithetical to your approach.
The inclusion of an ad-tier/ads for streaming services is a reaction to subscribers leaving–offering a cheaper service that includes ads to offset the cost of the reduction. Amazon’s approach is, indeed, unique, though that speaks to a differing model really.
While are a global economy, the media economy sure isn’t (though the birthing/ending pains of that are taking place). While there are still regional contracts and zones globally, there will be impatient people who feel they can’t wait and choose to access content outside the commercial delivery mechanism in place.
There is little impetus, except for big name shows, for services to deliver programming same day-date. The audience in Australia just isn’t the same and therefore the demand is significantly diminished. There’s no financial imperative, in no small part, because accessing content outside their mechanisms is still only available for the tech-savvy minority.
We’ve undergone a serious fragmentation in the delivery of content with the introduction of streaming services, and that’s led to a rise in many – MANY – different niche services (for good, mostly) and many tier 1 and 2 services where we used to get most of that content in one or two places. Foxtel’s approach with Hubbl is the ‘re-integration’ of that fragmented market, though I acknowledge they need to offer a lot more services to do that more completely. Also, that said, the market in Australia (and likely globally) can’t support the 15-20 tier 1-3 streamers now and I’d be looking at nearly half of them closing/being absorbed by others over the next 5-10 anyway. It’s a strange beast.
There will always be a market for those who choose to work outside the current media broadcast/streaming system…until the copyright owners come up with a way to stop it, and then another system will rise. That’s capitalism.