Everything you need to know about streaming Binge

In early 2019, Foxtel and Streamotion 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 2-week 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 $18 per month. Binge Basic costs $10 per month for a single SD stream, Standard costs $16 per month for two HD streams, and Premium will set you back $18 per month for four HD streams.

That's almost exactly what Stan and Netflix charge, though Binge's top tier is a fraction cheaper. Stan currently costs $10, $14 and $19 per month for its Basic, Standard and Premium plans, and Netflix is not far off at $10.99, $16.99 and $22.99 for its tiered plans. The difference is, Stan and Netflix's top plans include 4K streaming, whereas Binge doesn't, which is probably why Foxtel decided to price Binge a little lower.

Foxtel says there are no "plans to offer 4K streaming for Binge."

There's also a 2-week 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.

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 available on Netflix 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 Netflix and Stan while The Good Place is a Netflix exclusive.  Superstore, 30 Rock and Parks and Recreation all both available Foxtel Now and Bingebut also available on Netflix, Stan and Prime Video in some capacity.

It's worth noting that NBCU's Peacock streaming service also released in 2020, bringing with it new originals like Brave New World, the Saved by the Bell and more, but those are available exclusively on Stan.

When we first wrote this guide, we were led to believe that all HBO Max content would make its way to Binge but Close Enough on Netflix proves that's just not true. There's also the question about how Warner Bros. shift to HBO Max streaming for cinematic releases will work in Australia. We've reached out to Binge, Warner Bros., and Village Roadshow but still don't have an answer on whether the likes of Dune will appear on Binge at any stage.

Still, there's a healthy library of recent films already on Binge. Judas and the Black Messiah, Mortal Kombat and Knives Out get a look in, as do blockbuster movie series', like Jurassic Park, Fast and the Furious 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

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 in the last year, 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.