Foxtel customers will be given the opportunity to upgrade to a brand new HD box that comes with a new interface and program guide in 2014, users will also be given the option of consolidating their broadband and TV and telephone services via their pay TV provider the CEO of Foxtel Richard Freudenstein has confirmed.
SmartHouse has been told that at least five of the major studios have not given Netflix the rights to deliver content in Australia a move that should help Foxtel consolidate their content offerings in Australia.
The new 2014 Foxtel STB will also have one terabyte drive their current set top box has a 500GB drive.
Speaking to SmartHouse Freudenstein said that Foxtel was in a strong position to compete with Netflix if the US Company decided to launch in Australia, he said that TV series were proving extremely popular with viewers and their new HBO and BBC content was proving “extremely popular” .
When he was asked about the poor quality of the current Foxtel program guide he said “We will have a new program guide in our new set top box that launches in 2014”
He has also confirmed that Foxtel customers will be given the option of taking a “triple play” bundle with their subscription-TV, broadband and telephone services all bundled into one bill.
The move to Triple Play services follows a agreement between Foxtel owners News Corporation and Telstra that will see the new services delivered via Telstra’s ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) network and the National Broadband Network.
The move will see Foxtel compete head on with Optus, iiNet, and TPG who currently offer the Fetch TV service in Australia.
This week Fetch TV will launch a brand new tablet version of their service which is delivered via a stunning new program guide.
Speaking about their new Triple Play Service Freudenstein said “We’re very optimistic for what it will mean for both our existing customers and new customer acquisition,”
He said research conducted among Foxtel’s subscribers revealed strong demand that would create “an incremental revenue stream” for the company, while Telstra’s wholesale business will earn revenue from every triple-play connected subscriber.
