| 1. Foxtel | In March 2004 Foxtel launched 130 digital ("pixels") channels, including 27 "near video-on-demand" channels at $4.76 per show. In 2005, Foxtel released an iQ digital recorder (plugged into its wall plate) with iQ2 enabled for Internet in 2010
2012 Merges with Austar (satellite) subscribers now 2.2 million
2013 Foxtel Play streaming launched, renamed Foxtel Now in 2017 with an Android set-top box
2015 Now an ISP for NBN Internet via satellite (and cable)
2019 Kayo Sports launched via Amazon Web Services AWS, Binge in 2020
October 2023 switched off cable network after 28 years of operation, 210MHz spectrum to NBN
March 2024 Hubbl (from Comcast) launched
April 2025 New Owner, UK-based DAZN
Click here for Sydney TV centre
Stats September 2024
- Subscribers via iQ4 and iQ5 set-tops 1.42 million
- Subscribers via Internet Streaming packages Foxtel Now (131,000), Kayo Sports (1.6 million), and Binge (1.6 million)
| 2. Optus
| Click here for Optus Internet Cable, via an HFC Splitter, first installed in 1999-2000.
Click here for its pricing, matched by Telstra in 2001.
In 2005 Optus switched to digital via Foxtel iQ set-tops. With the NBN ca 2016 Optus support ceased. From 2012 - 2022 Optus marketed Fetch TV.
Fetch TV launched its streaming service in 2010 using iiNet as its ISP. Based in Sydney, owner Astro Malaysia, Optus provided customers initially with a Gen 2 Linux-based set-top box (HDMI & RCA cables) and from 2016 a Fetch Mighty (m616T) Gen 3 Android-based set-top box (HDMI only) also Fetch Mini. It rivalled Foxtel Now and until 2022 Telstra. Since Aug 2nd 2022 Fetch is majority owned by Telstra, a customer base in 2025 estimated at about 715,000.
Click here for its TV guide.
| Internet Streaming How it works
Each show has been broken into tiny file segments, say 2 seconds long, downloaded using a buffer, say 20-30 seconds long. Streaming automatically adapts to bandwidth e.g. SD=3mbps, HD=7mbps, 4K=25mbps to offset delay, and support for FF and Rewind through a playlist of small images.
Click here for the various standards, the two major protocols being HLS, launched on the Apple iPhone in 2009, and MPEG-DASH based on Qualcomm's 3G work with Mobile Phone circuitry prior to 2011. Dash's large users are Netflix, Amazon and YouTube.
Combined with HTML5 found in computer browsers since 2012, the two protocols replaced earlier plug-in Adobe Flash RTMP used with the YouTube launch in 2005. Other protocols are Microsoft Smooth Streaming developed for the IE browser, and WebRTC used in Google Meet (and recently in Zoom and WhatsApp).
Major Players in Australia in 2025 (estimates in 2024 from Telsyte)
- Australian companies Stan launched Jan 2015 with 2.6 million subscribers and Binge (Foxtel) with 1.6 million.
- US
- Netflix launched Mar 2015 with 6.2 million subscribers.
- Amazon Prime launched Jun 2018, with 4.8 million.
- Disney+ (over Google) launched Nov 2019, with 3.1 million.
- Paramount+ launched Aug 2021, with 1.8 million.
- and Warner's HBO-Max (over Amazon) launched Mar 2025
Compatibility
- Set-top: Telstra TV (2015 - 2022). Telstra TV was based on Roku OS, the Netflix streaming device built in 2007. On 31 Oct 2024 Telstra TV migrated its users to Fetch TV.
- Smart TVs: including LG WebOS, Samsung Tizen, & Sony Google TV, plus the following three major devices below Apple TV set-tops, Amazon Fire TV set-tops, Google TV Streamer
- Computers: Windows, Mac & Google Chrome
- Mobiles and Tablets: Google Android, Apple iPhone & iPad
- Game Consoles: Sony Playstation (PS4 & PS5) and Microsoft Xbox (One & Series X & S)
| | 3. Apple TV | Set-Top Box launched in 2007. TvOS
Apple TV app launched in 2016 on iPhones and iPads, in 2019 the Mac, in 2024 Windows
Apple TV+ video service launched in 2019 |
| 4. Amazon Fire TV | Set-Top Box launched in 2014. FireOS
| | 5. Google TV | Streamer since 2024, replacing Chromecast dongles (2013-2024), and the earlier Google TV (2010-2014). |
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