The Foxtel Dots Have Gone, Now It’s All About 4K Streaming & Premium Content
The dots have gone and 4K HD streaming over satellite is the next big thing at Foxtel with Cricket NRL Football and television in general set to get a makeover that’s never been seen before in Australia.
In fact, the new Foxtel 4K content is so” good” & “real” that executives at the NRL could not believe the quality of the Foxtel shot 4K Ultra HD live match content with blood, tattoos and the sheer force of NRL football on full display.
In the future all the Foxtel 4K UHD content will be delivered at 25Mps over Satellite with the new 444 Channel set to make free to air HD TV content “look archaic” said one attendee at todays launch.
What is clear is that change appears to be the order of the day at Foxtel, with new CEO Patrick Delany already killing off the Foxtel Logo dots which were introduced 12 months ago as part of major makeover by his predecessor.
Today it’s all about “premium and high-quality content” said Delany.
“we will deliver the big screen experience that has never before been seen in Australia. Cricket will never be more spectacular, more engaging and it all be delivered in 4K” he said.
With all future TV’s set to be 4K UHD he said his initial priority is the 2.8 million Foxtel customers who still pay for a full Foxtel package.
As for those that are cable or Telstra cable customers their iQ3 boxes will have to be upgraded with cable set to be eliminated by 2020 due to the role out of the NBN.
This service will be replaced with a satellite dish that can deliver 4K content.
The new service due to be rolled out in October has forced Foxtel to invest in new 4K production facilities, however due to fibre and technology restrictions only select NRL games will initially be delivered live in 4K.
According to Delany existing Foxtel customers will be given priority access to the new Foxtel Platinum service.
ChannelNews understands that the Company is set to make several major announcements one that will involve real time Fox Sports app information being delivered direct to a TV running via the new Foxtel IQ4 box which has been developed by ARRIS who acquired Pace the makers of the problematic Foxtel iQ3 box.
The service will kick off with a mixed bag of 4K content – including live sport, documentaries, concerts and more, and over the next 12 months, Foxtel will continue to expand the selection of unique 4K content to its subscribers as they shoot and acquire premium based content.
As for the box itself, it can be constantly upgraded over the air with both upgrades and alerts. ChannelNews understands that in the future owners could even get a resolution upgrade due to chipset being used.
The new iQ4 will also enable subscribers with a compatible 4K TV to access Foxtel’s new 4K channel immediately.
4K Cricket will go live on November 4, with the Australia v. South Africa, Cricket ODI, which will kick off Foxtel’s Ultimate High Definition sports coverage.
Patrick Delany, Foxtel CEO, said, “Innovation is in Foxtel’s DNA and we have continuously redefined entertainment for Australia putting us at the centre of connecting subscribers with the sports and the shows they love.”
“Today’s news is just the first step into a 4K future – this incredible experience will continue to expand as we bring even more sport and entertainment programming to life in guaranteed 4K, making the most of today’s ultra-modern 4K TVs. It’s TV like never before.”
Foxtel’s state-of-the-art satellite network will deliver Foxtel’s dedicated broadcast of 4K content to iQ4 set top boxes and is the only way to guarantee 4K delivery, every time.
Access to Foxtel’s 4K channel requires an iQ4 set top box, compatible HDMI cable and compatible 4K TV. Any other connected equipment must also be compatible with Foxtel’s 4K UHD Standard.
