Pay TV provider, Foxtel, has sought to re-invigorate its brand name, debuting Australia’s first 4K TV channel – with an emphasis on sport – ahead of its impending IPO.
The channel claims to offer Australia’s first [and only] guaranteed 4K satellite signal, accompanying Foxtel’s “most advanced” streaming box yet.
Launching in October, ‘Channel 444’ forms part of Foxtel’s ‘Platinum HD’ and ‘Sports HD’ package, accessed via the newly released ‘iQ4’ set top box.
iQ4 provides 4K TV owners access to Foxtel’s 4K TV channel, including the company’s coverage of the one day international cricket in November.
As previously reported, Foxtel is set to offer year-round cricket coverage, after securing rights from Cricket Australia.
The company is set to roll-out a slew of unique 4K TV content in the next 12 months, whilst launching with “live sport, documentaries, concerts and more.”
Despite its recent revenue and subscription slump, News Corp has confirmed a Foxtel IPO is still on the cards, with “new momentum” instilled under CEO Patrick Delaney.
The “new Foxtel” is tipped to work closely with News Corp mastheads, providing increased cross-promotion opportunities.
As per recent results, residential customer churn for Foxtel’s cable and satellite services has slumped from 13.3% to 12.5% in the last quarter, with average revenue per customer slipping 3%.
Latest Roy Morgan numbers claim Foxtel’s subscriber base has dropped 2.7% in the last year, whilst rival pay TV services – such as Stan and Fetch – have continued to accelerate.
Foxtel asserts its new iQ4 is the beginning of “a new wave of innovations”, with the company re-invigorating its brand ahead of its looming IPO.
CEO, Patrick Delaney, claims the new channel and set top box is the “first step” in Foxtel’s 4K future, with the service tipped to capitalise on the growth of 4K TVs.
Broadcast of Foxtel’s 4K TV channel will be facilitated via its iQ4 set top box and satellite network, with the company claiming guaranteed 4K delivery, unlike NBN facilitated video streaming.
Further information is available on Foxtel’s website here.
