BBC News returns to FOXTEL today and launches on BINGE for the first time
BBC News is officially returning to FOXTEL today after disappearing from the platform during the major shake-up of BBC channels in 2024, while also making its debut on BINGE for the first time.
Launching today, the international news service rejoins the Foxtel Group’s lineup of live news channels following a period of absence that began after several BBC branded linear channels were removed from FOXTEL and BINGE in mid-2024.
The return marks the latest chapter in the more than 20-year relationship between the BBC and Foxtel, with the broadcaster once again securing a presence on the pay TV giant’s platforms as the company continues expanding its live news and streaming offering.
For viewers, today’s relaunch restores access to one of the world’s best-known international television news services, delivering rolling coverage of global events, breaking news and analysis across both traditional pay television and streaming.
Importantly, the launch also marks the first time BBC News has been made available on BINGE, reflecting the streaming platform’s growing focus on live content beyond entertainment programming.
The addition comes as the Foxtel Group works to position BINGE as a broader all-in-one streaming destination, with a major investment in live news content over recent months.
According to the company, more than 25,000 hours of news programming have been added to BINGE during the past six months.
BBC News now joins an extensive lineup of local and international news services available across FOXTEL, FOXTEL Go, FOXTEL Now and BINGE, including Sky News Australia, Sky News UK, Sky News Extra, Sky News Weather, CNN International, Al Jazeera English, Bloomberg News, CNBC, FOX SPORTS News, NBC News NOW, GB News, NHK World Japan and MS NOW.
The channel’s return follows a turbulent period for BBC branded services in Australia.
For more than two decades, BBC World News — now known simply as BBC News — had been a fixture of the Foxtel platform as part of its international news lineup alongside channels such as CNN and Sky News.
That partnership was significantly expanded in 2013, when BBC Studios and Foxtel signed a broader content agreement that paved the way for the launch of BBC First in Australia and renewed carriage deals for channels including BBC UKTV, BBC Knowledge, CBeebies and BBC World News.
However, in a dramatic restructuring during 2024, several BBC linear channels — including BBC News, BBC Earth, BBC First and CBeebies — exited FOXTEL and BINGE after negotiations between the companies shifted direction.
While the channels disappeared from the platform, BBC News remained available elsewhere in Australia through other providers including Fetch TV.
Today’s relaunch signals a renewed alignment between the two companies, particularly around live news distribution and streaming audiences.
The move also comes amid growing competition between streaming platforms to offer integrated live television experiences alongside on-demand programming.
In addition to its return to FOXTEL and launch on BINGE, BBC News has also recently expanded its Australian presence by launching as a FAST channel on the 9Now streaming platform.
Stephanie Quinn, Executive Director, Content and Commercial Partnerships at Foxtel Group, said the return of BBC News reinforced the long-standing partnership between the two organisations.
“BBC News is one of the world’s most respected news brands, and one Australian audiences know and trust.
Its availability on FOXTEL and BINGE reflects the strength of our more than 20-year partnership with the BBC, and our commitment to delivering the very best line-up of live, 24/7 local and international news channels to our subscribers.”
Robi Stanton, President of APAC Media & Streaming at BBC Studios, said the expanded agreement would increase access to the broadcaster’s journalism across Australia.
“This expanded agreement with the Foxtel Group brings BBC News to even more Australians, ensuring greater access to our trusted, independent global journalism.
We’re delighted to be launching BBC News on BINGE for the first time, extending the reach of our world-class news coverage across multiple platforms.”
The return of BBC News also highlights the growing importance of live news as a strategic asset for streaming platforms seeking to retain subscribers and replicate the broader channel experience traditionally associated with pay television.
Can’t you already stream this for free on Nine Now?
Brendan – And through BBC’s very own website for a few years now, Not that anyone seems to know about it
Robert Rickard and YouTube.
There really is no excuse to have Foxtel these days.
Robert Rickard no-one is buying Foxtel to watch BBC News. This is for people who already have Foxtel.
The BBC should advertise that its news can be streamed directly on its website. It might ruffle Nine and Foxtel’s feathers, but it would help the BBC reach potential viewers who don’t have Foxtel and don’t watch Nine Now.
It’s not on Binge as of 12:25 14th Mayb
2:40pm still not on binge
Still wont buy foxtell. 0 value..
FOXTEL = RUPERT MURDOCH. no thanks
Foxtel is owned by DAZN, not Murdoch.
Still waiting Binge, ⏰
just in time for coverage of Starmer being rolled
The British perspective of Starmer’s political fate is worth paying attention to. And who better than the BBC to deliver it to the world?
I can’t believe how many decent channels have left Foxtel. I was going to sign up but compared to the days of Austar/early Foxtel there doesn’t seem to be as much worth signing up for. I have a Smart TV so I might get with the times and get some apps downloaded.
Bradley Byrnes – Foxtel and the Free to Air networks lost a large amount of content when the big American and British studios (Disney, Paramount, Warner Brothers and the BBC) launched their own in-house streaming services.
If Universal NBC ever follows suit or merges with Netflix there will be little content left on Foxtel and Free to Air TV.
Still no BBC News on Binge