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Foxtel launches new site. Catch-up TV, 20 new channels coming.

Foxtel launches its new-look website with snappy search and preview functions, with a promise of more HD and channels by the end of the year.

whatson_090420After quietly launching their new-look website on Sunday, Foxtel executives yesterday officially declared its foxtel.com.au portal open for business.

The site is part of a two-stage revamp of its online offerings, with the second stage to launch in October.

The new website offers previews, new navigation and the ability to remote record with the iQ up to fourteen days in advance. Two key offerings in the revamp indicate Foxtel is looking to rival TiVo features with an iSuggest recommendations feature, and from October, a catch-up service similar to ABC’s iView.

There are various ways of using the site to search for programmes that enhance personalisation including via title, genre, actor, day and date or channel.

Eventually it hopes to add the online search capability as a television on-screen feature with better programme information and movie poster thumbnails.

From October, subscribers will be able to log in and enjoy a streaming catch-up service of programmes, in sync with their current packaging, including movies. By the end of the year Foxtel will also offer more HD and 20 new channels plus “more flexible packaging.”

CEO Kim Williams, trepidatiously hailing the functionality of his new baby (and worried he was jinxing it), told media the site was part of the network’s charter of offering subscribers content through on air, online, mobile phones and in-flight.

Executive Director of Sales and Product Development, Patrick Delany said, “Foxtel’s new site brings TV to the net, we’ve taken a huge amount of video clips and promos and put them online to watch at any time. The entire screen comes alive with video and the website framework is available underneath.

“foxtel.com.au is the online window to Foxtel and is the best way for us to show people what Foxtel offers. If you’re new to Foxtel, the site will help you discover what Foxtel is, and it also provides existing subscribers with a range of new features to expand Foxtel’s services and functionality.”

Subscribers will also be able to view monthly bill summaries, payment history, check or change appointments with technicians, update account details, and more. The site is also Google-friendly and linked to IMDb for reference.

Once logged in, the site  is linked to set-top-unit at home for Remote Record.

Foxtel expects the Optus satellite to increase its bandwidth capacity for channels in the fourth quarter of the year.

But Foxtel also indicated its iQ2GO USB feature, allowing transfer of content between computers and the set-top-unit, was well down its technlogy priority list. Despite Kim Williams statements that Foxtel always delivered what it promised on time, previous reports indicated its arrival would be in the first half of 2009.

Meanwhile, you can check out the new site at foxtel.com.au

Full feature listing is outlined below:

HOME
• Full screen video
• Watch video promos and clips of FOXTEL’s best new shows
• Search though playlists of FOXTEL’s top selection of TV shows
• Google Search functionality applied to site
• Simple navigation

WHAT’S ON
• Find great new shows on FOXTEL by genre or category
• View video promos of selected programs
• Explore FOXTEL’s fantastic channels
• Read about upcoming FOXTEL events
• Enter FOXTEL competitions
• See the FOXTEL magazine page
• Access the 14 Day View Online Guide:
– View and search programming up to 14 Days ahead
– The “Quick Search button“ allows users to perform popular searches with just one click
– The “i button” provides more information and a synopsis for a selected program
– Extended program information includes information such as director, cast, long synopsis, genre, awards and web links.
– Horizontal browse between programs by following actor and director link, can you reach Kevin Bacon in fewer than six clicks?
– The “iSuggest button” finds a range of programs similar to the one you’ve selected
– The “Send to a Friend button” allows users to send an email containing the selected program link to a friend – Remote Record programs straight from the Guide to the iQ or iQ2 set-topunit, just drag and drop selected shows to the “Remote Record Queue button”
– Remote Record will tell you when there’s a recording clash within the Online Guide, if this occurs just click the “Alt View button” and it will suggest alternate recording times

MY FOXTEL
• Sign up for a My FOXTEL web account to access the handy features of My Account, to receive the Preview newsletter from FOXTEL, and Remote Record.
• My Account lets subscribers perform the following online:
– Order Pay Per View and MAIN EVENT (excluding iQ and iQ2 subscribers)
– View and change times for technician appointments
– View and download the last two months of FOXTEL bills
– View the last two months payment history
– Make a payment using a credit card
– Add or change EasyPay Direct Debit details
– Update account details including: billing address, contact numbers, add a co-signer, email address and opt in or out of newsletters and updates from FOXTEL
• Preview provides information on your favourite shows and personalities throughout each month, offers hot tips on FOXTEL products and services, and free personalised email reminders 24 hours in advance of your chosen show.
• Remote Record is a free service for FOXTEL subscribers to record programs on the iQ or iQ2 through the 14 Day Online TV Guide. Once logged in simply drag and drop programs to the “Add to Queue button”, and a message is sent to the iQ or iQ2 to record. These recorded programs will appear in the iQ or iQ2 Planner up to 14 Days in advance.

SHOP
• Interact with FOXTEL
• Order FOXTEL
• Request an upgrade
• Learn more about current packages, products and offers
• Find your nearest FOXTEL Kiosk.
• All the products and services within Shop provide links to more detailed information under the Discover section of the site.

DISCOVER
• A true information bank providing details on the wide range of Products, Packages, Features and Channels available to FOXTEL subscribers including:
– Packages
– Channels
– Products and Features
– Pay Per View and FOXTEL Box Office
– FOXTEL for Business
– Mobile FOXTEL
– Accessories

SUPPORT
• Look for information about:
– Billing and accounts
– Troubleshooting for one of the FOXTEL Digital, iQ or iQ2 set-top-units
– High Definition products and services
– FOXTEL Accessories
– FOXTEL Services
• Search a very detailed knowledge base of Frequently Asked Questions using Google Search functionality
• Find the answers to those technically difficult questions about the FOXTEL service in the FAQ section.

ABOUT FOXTEL
• Learn more about the company FOXTEL
• Employment queries
• Understand how FOXTEL connects with its communities
• Find press releases
• Contact information
• Advertise on FOXTEL

28 Responses

  1. We had foxtelfor a few years about 6 or 7 yrs ago, We had it removed because we were putting up a covering on our patio roof also we were annoyed about paying so much for channels which we never ever watched,so we never had it put back on.Now however, we wish to know if it is possible to have the channels which we would prefer,and just pay for the channels we choose.ie–lifestyle-discovery-c.i.- national geo-wild-fox sports 1,2,3.-fox news-cartoon network. We know of many friends that would have foxtel imediately if this was the case. Pay for what you want. This we think would give you a lot more customers for sure. Please let me know if this would be at all possible.

  2. All you people complain about foxtel and yet you keep subscribing to it. Send the only message foxtel understand. Cancel your subscriptions or stop whining.

  3. Come on foxtel, lift your game!
    New channels may be, but there is still a lot of repeated shows from the other channels moved over to the new sites.
    Its a disgrace the amount of repeated shows, episodes you offer, month after month year after year, for the amount of money you charge we should be comparable with U.k Canada & USA .

    I shall have to look up this TiVo

  4. The one problem with foxtel is they repeats show to many times they show the same shows day after day week after week. How many more times they are going to show the same episode week after week there are so many show out there out that they can show but they dont all they do is show the same shows all the time. I keep foxtell on is for my mum so so can watch the greek channel and its too expensive

  5. I will be getting rid of Foxtel as I have a TiVo now and I am happy with that. Foxtel are to pricey for there channel structure and they have two many repeats. Who wants to watch horse raciong it belongs in the pubs and TAB. The only channel I like is Fox classics where they have the good old shows. and the movie channels are just s**t. Nature show and science channels are excellent and that all they have got good going for them.

  6. Ha Ha Ha New Channels on Foxtel and Austar , So what ? with the price far to high and all the rubbish that is on and the number of repeats. What A joke
    We are still behind Britian ,Canada ,And U S A canada give you over 300 channels for half the price we pay So do U K and U S A. Austar is the biggest Joke of all
    The country people get S*** on again but what is new, Also why will they not let us know the price of these new channels How much more above the price now but then it is only for the rich . They should give aged pensioners a discount of at least 33% as they can not attord over $ 125 per month What they do not tell people is over 28 day’s there is only 4 days of new programmes Time it your self all the rest are repeats Thank you . Peter

  7. Predict the even numbers on the Kids and Family Section would fill up, Channels 702 and 704 go to Nickeldeon Spinoffs Nicktoons and TeeNICK. 706 us ABC3, Channels 708 and 710 go to Disney XD and Disney Cinemagic and i hope there better be Timeshift Channels for Nickeldeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network in the 720’s?

  8. It would be ideal if the Catch up service would allow you to download the Catch-up programs directly onto IQ into the Planner or via the On Demand sections. Then you can view the Programs via the IQ and not the Website.

  9. ’20 new channels’ – interpretation – 20 channels that just play existing content all mixed up and timeshifted to try and fool us into thinking its new. Please prove me wrong Foxtel!

  10. It would be good if they changed the onscreen menus to a solid color it is rather annoying when you are watching a show and want to see what is on next but you cant read it properly because it is not a solid color

  11. they actually try to make it sound like a great new feature that you now have to watch ads everytime you vist the foxtel site as if we dont see enough when we watch tv, although i am looking foward to seeing what the new 20 channels will be.

  12. Personally I never thought Tivo was viewed as a serious competitor to Foxtel- i mean everything it has is inferior and it’s more worth buying any other branded pvr.

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