Christmas holiday season is creeping closer and so is the launch of Foxtel on Xbox 360. Today Foxtel and Microsoft have announced the channels and packaging that will be available on the service when it launches next month.
In addition to catch-up TV and Foxtel on Demand, there will be several packages available so you can customize your viewing experience. The Get Started package, the entry level channel selection, will be available to all Foxtel on pokie machine games Xbox 360 subscribers for less than $20 per month. Additional packages start at $10 per month.
LIVE TV Packages
Get Started: FOX8, MTV, Nickelodeon, Channel [V], LifeStyle, YOU, Discovery, National Geographic, TV1, SKY NEWS, FOX Sports News and CNN.
Entertainment Package: MTV Hits, MTV Classic, [V] Hits, UKTV, Disney, The Comedy Channel, Discovery Turbo MAX, Nat Geo Adventure, Universal, BBC Knowledge, and SCI FI.
Sports Package: FOX SPORTS PLAY, ESPN, Eurosport and FUEL TV. FOX SPORTS PLAY will be an Xbox 360 exclusive channel specially programmed to feature Australia’s most-loved sports programming, including Hyundai A-League Football, Barclays Premier League Football, Rugby Union Spring Tour, KFC Twenty20 Big Bash, India vs New Zealand test cricket, live boxing, ATP World Tour tennis finals and many more.
Showtime movies package: Showcase and Showtime Premiere.
Movie Network movies package: Movie One and Movie Two.
FOXTEL ON XBOX 360 FAQ
Will this be available everywhere in Australia?
Foxtel on Xbox 360 will be available in all Foxtel-serviced areas. It will not be available in areas not serviced by Foxtel.
What kind of internet speeds do I need?
We recommend a minimum internet connections speed of 1.5mbps for an optimal viewing experience.
Will watching Foxtel on Xbox 360 count towards my internet data transfer cap?
Yes. As an internet TV service, Foxtel on Xbox 360 will use bandwidth that will count towards your internet data transfer cap. We have not announced any ISP partnerships for unmetered Foxtel on Xbox 360 at this time.
Do I have to be an Xbox LIVE Gold member?
All live TV packages are available exclusively to Xbox LIVE Gold members. Foxtel on Demand will be available to Xbox LIVE Silver members.
If I already have Foxtel do I automatically get this?
If you already have a Foxtel account you can attach your Foxtel on Xbox 360 as a multi-room account.
Full press release below.
XBOX A GAME-CHANGER FOR FOXTEL
SUBSCRIPTION TV AND NEW RELEASE MOVIES ON DEMAND WITHOUT A FOXTEL SET-TOP-BOX
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 Australia[1] will be able to watch 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.
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“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 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 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 2011.
All packages will be available by subscription from FOXTEL, registration will be available on the website www.foxtel.com.au from November 1, 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.
[1] Only available to Xbox 360 owners who live in FOXTEL 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.
Microsoft E3 – Facebook, Twitter & Last FM
Today the new update comes to the XBox 360 via Xbox LIVE. It will begin rolling out around 7PM AET–don’t panic if you don’t get a prompt to update at 7:01 PM. The process could take several hours. After all, we are rolling it out at the same time around the world and that’s a lot of Xbox 360s to update!
Here are a few of the new features you can expect to see:
Avatar Marketplace: We’re ranging premium gear for your Avatar. From mainstream fashion brands like Quicksilver to game-themed gear (OMG remote-control Warthog will be MINE!), a whole new world of customization for your avatar is about to open up. Do you think Steampunk skullcap+goggles will match Fable 2 thigh-high boots? I’ll make it work. You’ll also be able to unlock premium gear by playing Xbox 360 games. If I recall correctly, you can unlock a new Avatar shirt in Splosion Man.
User Ratings: Have you ever had trouble finding new game content, themes, or videos because, let’s face it, there’s a TON of stuff available? With user ratings, you can now rate any piece of content on Xbox LIVE to help your fellow gamers find the best stuff, and you’ll be able to browse through the content others like as well.
Games on Demand: Did you ever see that game in a store and intend to buy it, but never quite got around to it and now you can’t find it? Not to worry! With Games on Demand you’ll be able to download top Xbox 360 games without having to change out of your pajamas. We’re starting with a great lineup and we’ll keep adding new ones so you’ve always got new game options. One of my favourite parts is that if you’ve played the game on disc, the Games on Demand version will be able to read your savegame, so you don’t have to start over from the beginning! I’ve been itching to play some Bioshock again, and have no idea where I put the disc, so this is going to be a lifesaver.
Interface Improvements: Sort your friends by status, gamertag, or activity. Launch a game from your achievement list. Rate your favourite games and content. Like everyone, we appreciate it when things are easy. No one wants to have to hunt to find what they’re looking for. With the new interface improvements, you can get to what you want without a hassle.
Contrary to rumours floating around, Xbox LIVE will NOT be down for maintenance prior to the roll-out. You shouldn’t experience any downtime prior to getting this update.
In case of confusion, there are a ton of features coming later this year that are NOT includes in this update: Xbox Movies on Demand, Facebook, Twitter… Don’t worry, we’re sweating and toiling to get those features ready for launch and you’ll be seeing them soon. In the meantime enjoy the sweet new features coming to you tonight.
Ok, now we’re moving on to new LIVE features. Guys, going to caveat here. I’m going to blog it all, but can’t confirm 100% which features are local. You’ll see lots of that coming out of the show. Some is common sense (i.e. netflix)
First.
Last.fm on LIVE? Nice. I like that service. Very cool.
Netflix is getting the ability to view your queue in your dashboard.
UK/Ireland is getting SKY, which will be their local version of the Netflix service.
Guy is talking about video marketplace now. Relaunching video marketplace service as Zune marketplace now. All video is being upgraded to 1080p (NICE). And yet be able to be enjoyed instantly. “No discs. no downloads. no delays.” Also going from 8 country availability to 18 country availability.
so instant streaming of 1080p? I can live with that!
Ooooh. And can now watch the movies etc. with your friends via LIVE Party. Wow. And that looks great.
Looks like Xbox is going big in entertainment this year.
And now Facebook!
Felicia Day coming out to talk about Facebook. Ok, I know her more from twitter, but whatevs.
Ok, it’s not a browser. It’s an experience, fits in with the NXE look.
Oh cool. Can invite Xbox friends on Facebook, and vice versa. That’s good. Because there are always people on Facebook whose gamertags I don’t know, etc.
And will be able to post screenshots into facebook through the dash.
Oh there we go. Also twitter coming to the LIVE dash. Is this the new generation of trash talk? Instantly posting killshots to facebook and twitter?
Both services coming Fall (so south hemisphere spring!)