Media Release From FOXTEL
FOXTEL and Microsoft today announced the channels and packaging for the much-anticipated FOXTEL on Xbox 360 television service.
From November, Xbox 360 owners in metro areas of Australia will be able to watch content from over 30 of FOXTEL’s world-class channels through Xbox LIVE on their Xbox, via the Internet.
The FOXTEL on Xbox 360 television service will feature a range of FOXTEL’s popular channel brands and offer a mix of:
– Live streamed television channels
– Catch-up TV
– FOXTEL On Demand – FOXTEL’s recently launched Internet TV and movie pay-per-view service
The Get Started package of live channels streamed online through the Xbox are: FOX8, MTV, Nickelodeon, Channel [V], LifeStyle YOU, Discovery, National Geographic Channel, TV1, SKY NEWS, FOX Sports News and CNN, available from FOXTEL for less than $20 per month. Popular programming titles include Gossip Girl, Jersey Shore, The Hills, The Simpsons, Hustle and WWE.
FOXTEL on Xbox 360 subscribers can also choose from a range of additional packages covering Entertainment, Sports and two Movies packages, which will offer both live streamed channels, a catch up TV service, and video On Demand content. Additional channel packages start at $10 per month from FOXTEL.
FOXTEL Chief Executive and Managing Director, Kim Williams, AM said: “FOXTEL on Xbox 360 offers a new and convenient way to get FOXTEL without a set-top-box and over the internet, which is one part of our overall internet television strategy.
“We are innovating in the packaging and delivery of FOXTEL expanding across multiple devices to provide customers with more ways to enjoy television programming, sport and movies. With the addition of the FOXTEL on Xbox 360 Internet TV service FOXTEL is at the forefront on entertainment technology and will now offer Australians mobile, HD, 3D and Internet TV.
“FOXTEL is moving beyond the set-top-box and we are delighted to be joining forces with Microsoft on the Xbox platform to allow a new generation of customers – who traditionally may not have been able to get FOXTEL – to explore our fantastic programming. FOXTEL on Xbox 360 includes some of the world’s best channel brands such as FOX8, Disney, Nickelodeon, CNN and SKY NEWS, indeed we have secured a channel line-up to rival any competitor.
“FOXTEL on Xbox 360 is affordable, easy to use, and will provide instant access to live and catch-up TV, current and library movies, and video On Demand with no fixed term contract and low cost packages.”
David McLean, Managing Director of Xbox Australia said, “We couldn’t be more pleased to be partnering with FOXTEL – an organisation with more high quality film, television and sports content than any other in Australia. Together we’re pioneering the delivery of Internet TV on a scale not yet seen in this country. We have sold over a million Xbox 360 consoles already in Australian homes. FOXTEL on Xbox 360 will be available to all Xbox LIVE members in FOXTEL serviced areas.
“Besides access to great content, users will no longer need to wait until the following day to discuss their favourite shows. With Xbox LIVE, you can see what your friends are watching, watch together or even voice chat without ever leaving the experience. FOXTEL on Xbox 360 will bring interactive entertainment to a whole new level for Australians.”
LIVE TV
In addition to the Get Started package of live channels, FOXTEL on Xbox 360 subscribers may elect to subscribe to any of the following packages; Entertainment, Sports, showtime and Movie Network, each including live streamed channels mirroring the channels broadcast on the FOXTEL television platform.
The Entertainment package offers these live streamed channels: MTV Hits, MTV Classic, [V] Hits, UKTV, Disney, The Comedy Channel, Discovery Turbo MAX, Nat Geo Adventure, Universal Channel, BBC Knowledge, and SCI FI. Popular programming titles include The Chaser, Tosh.0 and Robot Chicken.
The Sports package offers these live streamed channels: FOX SPORTS PLAY, ESPN, Eurosport and FUEL TV. FOX SPORTS PLAY is an Xbox 360 unique channel that will be specially programmed to feature a collection of Australia’s most-loved sports programming including Hyundai A-League Football, Barclays Premier League Football, Rugby Union Spring Tour involving the Wallabies, KFC Twenty20 Big Bash, India v New Zealand Test Cricket, Live Boxing, ATP World Tour Tennis Finals and many more.
Showtime and Movie Network Channels will offer two separate movie packages for FOXTEL on Xbox 360 customers that will provide two live channels each, and catch up TV programming. The showtime movies package offers two live streaming channels – showcase and showtime premiere. The Movie Network package offers two live streaming channels Movie One and Movie Two.
CATCH UP TV
Subscribers to the FOXTEL on Xbox 360 live TV service can access a selection of catch-up TV programming at no additional cost.
The Get Started package offers the following channels that will provide a wide and diverse range of catch-up TV programming: FOX8, MTV, Nickelodeon, Channel [V], LifeStyle YOU, Discovery, National Geographic Channel, SKY NEWS and CNN.
The Entertainment package enables customers to view catch-up TV programming from the following known and much-loved brands: UKTV, Disney, The Comedy Channel, Discovery Turbo MAX, Nat Geo Adventure and BBC Knowledge.
Catch-up movies from Movie Extra, Movie One, Movie Greats, Starpics, FMC, and online channels Movie Comedy, Movie Action and Movie Drama will also be available as part of the Movie Network Channels subscription at no extra cost providing a choice of around 100 movies each month.
Catch-up movies from showtime premiere, showtime comedy, showtime drama, showtime family, showtime horror and showtime action will also be available as part of the showtime movies subscription (at no extra cost) providing the choice of not less than 70 movies each month.
FOXTEL ON DEMAND
A range of FOXTEL’s On Demand content including new release video on demand movies, library movies and TV Series will also be available on FOXTEL on Xbox 360. New release movies will cost $5.95 to rent each, library movies for $3.95 each, and TV Series episodes for $2.95 each, with some children’s TV episodes available at $1.95.
FOXTEL On Demand lets you watch what you like from a choice of hundreds of movies and over a thousand TV episodes, with the number of titles expanding and increasing to over 5000 movies and TV episodes by the end of 2011.
All packages will be available by subscription from FOXTEL, registration will be available on the website www.foxtel.com.au from early November 2010.
FOXTEL recommends Xbox LIVE subscribers wishing to receive the FOXTEL on Xbox 360 service have an eligible ADSL/cable broadband service with a minimum broadband speed of 1.5MB per second.
FOXTEL on Xbox 360 is only available to Xbox 360 owners who live in FOXTEL metropolitan areas of Australia and who subscribe to both the Xbox LIVE service and the FOXTEL on Xbox 360 service. Xbox LIVE Gold subscription required for all live TV packages.