Binge: Everything you need to know about Foxtel’s streaming app

In early 2019, Foxtel and Streamotion (now known as Hubbl) revealed Binge, a new Australian streaming service. Binge wasn't intended to be a replacement for Foxtel Now, but rather a second streaming option for those who were only interested in Foxtel's TV shows and movies. Since launch, Binge has gained momentum and has become an attractive and more affordable alternative to traditional Foxtel.

Built by the same team behind Kayo Sports, Foxtel's Binge is positioned as a true competitor for streaming stalwarts like Netflix and Prime Video. From its competitive pricing to its improved functionality and user experience, Binge is an answer to almost every criticism thrown at Foxtel Now over the few past years. For our full thoughts and impressions, check out our Binge app review.

Otherwise, if you just want to know more about Binge's price, plans and content here's everything you need to know.

Binge is already available on a decent number of devices (more on that below) but even if you don't have a compatible smart TV, you can cast Binge content from a smartphone or tablet to a streaming device like Chromecast or Apple TV. If you're interested in checking out Binge, your first step will be to sign up for a 7-day free trial via the website or download the Binge app on your smartphone or tablet via Google Play or the App Store.

Once you've taken that first step, you'll be faced with three Binge plans: Basic, Standard and Premium.

If you've already signed up to Binge and you're attempting to login on a smart TV app or other device, you may be asked to activate that device with a code. Your device (smart TV) should generate a one-time code. Next, you need to log in on a primary device (e.g. a smartphone or laptop) via Binge.com.au. 

Next, head to Binge's activation webpage  (auth.streamotion.com.au/activate) and enter the one-time code that appears on your secondary device. Once you've entered your code, your secondary device will be authorised and Binge should sign you in automatically. 

Binge costs between $10 and $22 per month. Binge Basic costs $10 per month for a single SD stream, Standard costs $18 per month for two 4K streams, and Premium will set you back $22 per month for four 4K streams.

That's close to what Stan and Netflix charge, though Binge's top tier is a fraction cheaper and Stan and Netflix charge a premium on 4K Ultra High Definition. 

There's also a 7-day free trial of Binge available. So if you give it a crack and  you don't fancy it, you can cancel without paying a cent.

Here are those plans again.

After duking it out with Stan 'till the eleventh hour, Foxtel secured the victory it desperately needed and locked down distribution rights for HBO content in Australia before the launch of Binge. It was a make-or-break deal for Binge because now Foxtel's streaming service can lay claim to some of the biggest and most popular TV shows in history, though the rumours of a local Discovery Max launch in Australia paint a murky picture for the future of HBO on Binge. 

For now, Binge offers some of HBO's most popular series (like Game of Thrones, Succession, and Big Little Lies), as well as original productions for HBO Max like the Sex and the City reboot, And Just Like That. 

Here's a quick look at some of the most popular TV shows currently streaming on Binge.

Binge has some of the latest HBO Max exclusives, like The Flight Attendant, and Raised by Wolves but a few originals are missing. As we pointed out in our review of Binge, the content distribution between Binge and Foxtel is a little messy. For example, both services have The Flight Attendant and Raised By Wolves but only Foxtel has Class Action Park, another HBO Max Original. Then there's J.G. Quintel's Close Enough, another HBO Max Original that's not available to stream here in Australia and Made for Love, yet another HBO Max original that found its way to Stan here in Australia. As we said, it's messy. The point is, you can't guarantee that every new HBO Max original you've been waiting for will stream on Binge and Foxtel Now.

Back in 2019, Foxtel also signed a multi-year deal with NBCUniversal (NBCU). That deal would give Foxtel the rights to a slew of big movie franchises from Universal Pictures, like Fast and the Furious, and some of NBCU's most popular comedies, such as The Office, 30 Rock, and Parks and Recreation. But it's a similar confusing story for NBC comedies. For example, Community is only available on Prime Video and Stan while The Good Place is a Netflix exclusive. Superstore, 30 Rock and Parks and Recreation are all available Foxtel Now and Binge but also available on Stan and Prime Video in some capacity.

When we first wrote this guide, we were led to believe that all HBO Max content would make its way to Binge but that's not true.

Similarly, Warner Bros. shift HBO (now Discovery) Max in the US seemed like a move that would be mirrored here in Australia on Binge but at the time of writing, 2021's Dune isn't even available to stream in Australia. 

Still, there's a healthy library of recent films already on Binge. Oppenheimer, Blackberry and Past Lives get a look in, as do blockbuster movie series', like Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings and more. Here's a quick glance at some of the most popular movies streaming on Binge.

There's plenty of options for streaming Binge, with experiences tailored separately for mobile and couch-based viewing.

Here's the list of Binge-compatible devices.

• Web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge)
• Telstra TV
• Smartphone (iOS and Android)
• Tablet (iOS and Android)
• Apple TV (Gen 4)
• Google Chromecast
• Android Smart TV
• Samsung Smart TV (2017 or later)
• PlayStation 4 and 5
• Hubbl
• Hubbl Glass

You're probably wondering whether or not Binge is worth it, given the sheer number of streaming services now available in Australia. Is Binge better than Netflix? Better than Stan or Prime Video?

While it's definitely upped its game over the last few years, whether or not it's worth it comes down to what you're willing to spend each month on streaming subscriptions. Its budget-friendly price tag and catalogue of buzz-worthy TV shows, in our opinion, makes it well worth your consideration. See how it compares below.

A couple of years after launch, there are still a few unanswered questions around Binge. Will it have 4K? Will it ever come to Xbox? This is where you'll find the answers to those questions as soon as we know.