Harvey Norman has scored an exclusive deal to sell a new Foxtel Group Hubbl TV, which will come in two sizes and three colours, with the retailers CEO Katie Page seeing the deal as being a combination of lifestyle fashion and cutting-edge technology combined. The Hubbl Puck which is tipped to be the most popular Hubble offering will be sold by JB Hi Fi.
Hubble is a brand-new way to manage content, with the big streaming network which is 65% owned by News Corp set to release a Hubbl puck and a Hubbl branded TV, which will be available in two sizes 55” and 65” users will we able to bundle the TV into a monthly or annual payment deal for both streamed content and a TV. The launch is set to take place this month.
The TV’s will also have the latest streaming technology built in including support for 4K playback and UHD, HDR, Dolby Atmos, viewing.
Earlier today Foxtel Group announced that he global streaming services include Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, video sharing platform YouTube, Apple TV+ and Paramount+. While local streaming apps available on Hubbl will include Kayo Sports, Stan, BINGE, Optus Sport and Flash as well as Australia streaming services , ABC iView and ABC Kids, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now and 10 Play.
As part of the launch of Hubbl, LifeStyle, a new streaming app that brings together the best lifestyle content, will also launch on the platform.
Stan, Optus Sport and Paramount+ will join the Hubbl platform soon after launch.
Patrick Delany, CEO of Hubbl, says, “Hubbl will effortlessly fuse free and paid entertainment and sport from Australia’s favourite apps, channels, live TV and the internet into one seamless user experience.
Insiders are tipping it as a “game changer” for people who want a minimilistic lifestyle TV, better management of streamed content, as well as the full integration of free to air TV and access to global and local streaming content.
“You won’t know the difference between free to air programs that will remain free and the latest globally streamed content.
Users will also get access to all the Foxtel Sport content including exclusive 4K streamed NRL, AFL, Supercars and Formula One live action content.
According to leaks from the big retailer who scored the exclusive deal, the awarding of exclusivity to Harvey Norman was due in part to the retailer’s multimillion-dollar expenditure across News Corp assets.
Harvey Norman is set to range the Hubble TV which comes with a unique built in operating system, and a high-definition sound bar in three colours White, Blue, and Black, with the retailer benefitting from the intelligence they have gleaned from the sale of the Samsung Frame TV’s a concept that allows customers to pick a colour to go around their TV.
The concept of a TV with a premium streaming engine built in, instead of an old-fashioned external box similar to older Foxtel IQ or Fetch TV boxes has taken off in the UK where Sky TV sells a ‘Glass’ TV.
Launched in the UK two years ago Sky Glass has proved extremely popular especially with young people who don’t have the space for a large TV and a separate streaming box.
Sky Glass that the new Hubble TV is modelled on has been described as the smartest TV, ever created.
The technology in the box was developed by Comcast who also own NBC in the USA, the Peacock streaming network.
They are also the largest US multinational telecommunications and media conglomerate.
The colours of the new Hubble TV are ceramic white, anthracite black and Ocean Blue.
Consumers will get a perfect picture via the 4K HDR display but unlike a lot of other TVs being sold at the big retailer the Hubble Tv will come with a built-in sound bar that delivers immersive sound via six in-built speakers that recognise Dolby Atmos content.
The real standout is set to be the Hubble user interface that delivers content in in one place irrelevant of whether its Netflix or Binge or free to air TV.
Owners will be able to move easily between series, films, Foxtel sport and more to find exactly what they want.
You can also talk to the TV by simply saying what film, sports event genre, quote, or actor you’re looking for.
ChannelNews understands that Harvey Norman will launch their New TV offering to coincide with the kick off, of the NRL season via a Las Vegas opening round which is expected to attract millions to the Foxtel network as well as Kayo.
At this stage it’s believed that Harvey Norman will also get a trailing commission following the sale of a Hubble TV in their stores.
