Binge TV: Everything You Need To Know

Binge is the latest streaming app from Foxtel and the new home for premium drama in Australia.

In early 2019, Foxtel finally lifted the curtain on Binge, a new Australian streaming service for TV shows and movies. Previously known as Project Ares, Binge hasn’t replaced Foxtel Now entirely. Still, it is in an attractive alternative for all the premium drama and comedy at a more reasonable price.

From the same team that brought you 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 after the few past years.

Here’s everything you know about Australia’s latest TV streaming service, Binge.

How much does Binge cost?

Between $10 and $18 per month.

Binge costs between $10 and $18 per month. Binge Basic costs $10 per month for a single SD stream, Standard costs $14 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 $17 per month for its Basic, Standard and Premium plans, and Netflix is not far off at $9.99, $13.99 and $19.99 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.

What shows are on Binge?

The back catalogue of HBO classics, with a few HBO Max Originals, NBC comedies and more.

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. Binge reaps the rewards to that $100 million deal.

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.

It has some of the latest HBO Max exclusives, like The Flight Attendant, and Raised by Wolves but there are a few originals 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. Like we said, it’s messy.

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. The  popular American version of The Office is on Foxtel Now, while the UK original is on Binge.  30 Rock and Parks and Recreation are both Foxtel Now and Binge. And all four of those comedies listed are on Prime Video, which is quickly becoming one of Australia’s favourite streaming destinations.

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 spread out across various other streaming services.

What movies are on Binge?

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 Wonder Woman 1984 and Dune will appear on Binge, or any other streaming service in Australia.

Still, there’s a healthy library of the latest films already on Binge. Rian Johnson’s Knives Out gets a look in, as do blockbuster movie series’, like Jurassic Park, Fast and the Furious, and more.

When did Binge release?

Foxtel launched Binge TV on Monday, 25 May 2020. 

Binge launched in Australia on Monday, 25 May 2020 on a wide range of devices, including web browsers, smartphones, tablets, Android TV and more. Releasing just a few months before HBO Max in the U.S., Binge was first marketed as a streaming destination for original Warner productions created for HBO Max.

We spoke to Foxtel at Binge’s launch, confirming that Binge would offer “Warner productions made for HBO Max” when released. And while Binge has delivered on that promise with some of the bigger HBO Max releases, there’s still a big disconnect between American and Australian release dates when it comes to certain HBO content.

What devices is Binge available on?

Web browsers, Telstra TV, smartphones, tablets, Apple TV, Chromecast, and plenty more to come. . 

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

Here are the Binge-compatible devices available at launch:

• 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)

At launch, Binge also promised PlayStation 4 support would be coming within a year, with no mention of PlayStation 5. However, Binge has since removed the help page from its site that detailed proposed PlayStation compatibility. There also don’t seem to be any plans to bring Binge to Xbox One, or the next-gen Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X.

More questions Australians are asking about the Binge TV streaming app

Months after launch, there are still so many unanswered questions around Binge. Will it have 4K? Will it ever come to PlayStation 4? This is where you’ll find the answers to those questions as soon as we know.

Can you download Binge content for offline viewing?

Offline viewing is not available on Binge at launch.

Foxtel spoke to Reviews.org prior to launch and confirmed that “offline viewing won’t be available for launch, but it is in the pipeline.” We still don’t know what type of content will be available for offline viewing on Binge, but we’ll keep this section updated with the latest updates.

Does Binge offer 4K streaming?

There are no plans to offer 4K on Binge.

We also asked Foxtel about a potential 4K streaming option for Binge.  Foxtel stated that there are “no current plans to offer 4K streaming for Binge.”

Is Binge available on PlayStation or Xbox?

PlayStation compatibility coming soon, with no plans for Xbox.

When Binge first launched in Australia, PlayStation 4 compatibility was promised within a year. We reached out to Binge a representative who confirmed PlayStation 4 compatibility would be arriving in 2021, but there have been no updates around Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 compatibility.

Does Binge have subtitles and closed captions?

Yes, English subtitles and closed captioning are available on select content.

At launch, one of our biggest criticisms of Binge was that it didn’t have any subtitles or closed captioning. Binge has since added subtitles and closed captioning for select content. At the moment, Binge only has English subtitles and closed captioning but the help page claims Binge is looking at adding more languages in the future.

Is Binge owned by Foxtel?

Yes, it’s owned by Foxtel subsidiary Streamotion.

Just like Kayo Sports, Binge is owned by Streamotion, a subsidiary of Foxtel. Despite seeming like a direct competitor to Foxtel Now, both apps are in fact owned by the same company. They are just run by different teams.

Binge and Telstra: Are there deals for bundling?

Yes, Telstra offers 3 months of Binge Standard free when you sign up to a select plan

If you’re signing up to a eligible Telstra mobile or broadband plan, you can grab 3 months of Binge Standard free until 18 January 2021. Here are those eligible Telstra broadband plans.