Foxtel: Everything you need to know

// Foxtel’s traditional pay TV service has survived the streaming takeover but how does it fare for value these days?
Foxtel
Foxtel
While streaming video-on-demand services have taken a few gulps of Foxtel's milkshake, the pay TV provider's iQ5 box and broad content offering will still appeal to some.
Hardware
Foxtel iQ5 w/ 1TB of storage and a Voice Control Remote
Apps available
Netflix, Stan, Paramount+, Disney+, Prime Video and more
Max. video quality
4K Ultra HD
for select channels and content
Starts at$60/mth

*Pricing and plans only accurate as of last page update. 

Brodie Fogg
Apr 15, 2024
Icon Time To Read10 min read

For the longest time, Foxtel enjoyed a monopoly over pay TV in Australia that went mostly unchallenged. Its closest competitor Fetch, while an honourable alternative, featured a fraction of Foxtel’s comprehensive coverage. When Netflix arrived in Australia in 2015, it opened the floodgates to a whole new wave of streaming video-on-demand services, subscriptions with a low monthly cost and no lock-in contracts. Still, Foxtel soldiered on. While it’s tried its hand at streaming a few times over, the company’s traditional pay TV offer has remained its top priority.

These days, the content on Foxtel looks a lot different but the general arrangement is more or less the same: tailor-made channel packs for Sports, Movies, News and more delivered via the Foxtel IQ set-top box.

Let’s take a look at how much it all costs.

Foxtel iQ5
Pictured: Foxtel iQ5 box
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Price: How much does Foxtel cost?


These days, Foxtel can cost anywhere from $60 per month to $145 per month. There are five different channel packs all priced separately with a sizable discount if you sign up for 12 months at a time.

Month-to-month customers will also fork an additional $35 setup fee and will have to front the $199 charge for the Foxtel iQ5 hardware too whereas those who sign up for 12 months will have those charges waived.

Package
Month-to-month cost
12-month plan cost
Netflix Standard
Inclusions
More info
Foxtel Plus$73/mth$73/mth+$17/mth60+ channels for news, entertainment, lifestyle, documentaries, kids and more

Graphic featuring Foxtel iQ5 box and various Foxtel packages and channels on a TV screen

The five Foxtel packages above offer various configurations of three different channel packs. In the simplest terms, the more you spend, the more channels you get.

At the entry-level, you’ll find Foxtel Plus, which starts at $73 per month. That’s the base channel package that features over 60 classic Foxtel channels. Next up you can opt for Foxtel Sports or Foxtel Movies. Foxtel Sport features nine Sport channels, in addition to the base Foxtel Plus lineup, while the Foxtel Movies package offers 10 movie channels in addition to the Foxtel Plus channel selection.

And if you want all three channel packs you can opt for Foxtel Sport + Movies which starts at $84 per month or Foxtel Platinum Plus which includes all that and a Standard Netflix subscription for $99 per month.

Here are the channels included with each Foxtel package:

  • Showcase
  • BBC First
  • BBC UKTV
  • FOX8
  • Universal
  • Arena
  • WWE
  • Real Life
  • TLC
  • A&E
  • Foxtel ONE
  • Crime
  • Comedy Channel
  • Docos
  • Classics
  • Sleuth
  • Box Sets
  • History Channel
  • Discovery
  • BBC Earth
  • Crime+ Investigation
  • Investigation Discovery
  • Discovery Turbo
  • LifeStyle
  • LifeStyle Food
  • LifeStyle Home
  • CBeebies
  • Cartoon Network
  • Dreamworks
  • Boomerang
  • Animal Planet
  • Fox Sports News
  • Sky One
  • Sky Two
  • Sky Thoroughbred Central
  • Racing.com
  • BBC News
  • CNN
  • Aljazeera
  • CNBC
  • MSNBC
  • Bloomberg Television
  • Sky News
  • Sky News Extra
  • Sky News Weather
  • Sky News UK
  • FOX NEWS Channel
  • China Global Television
  • Network
  • CGTN Documentary
  • NHK World Japan
  • MTV Hits
  • Club MTV
  • MTV 80s
  • Nickmusic
  • CMT
  • TVSN
  • Expo
  • Aurora
  • GOOD
  • SBN
  • Daystar
  • Movies Premiere
  • Movies Family
  • Movies Action
  • Movies Comedy
  • Movies Drama
  • Movies Hits
  • Movies Greats
  • Movies Romance
  • Movies 4K Ultra HD
  • Lifetime Movie Network
  • Fox Cricket
  • Fox League
  • Fox Sports 503
  • Fox Footy
  • Fox Sports 505
  • Fox Sports 506
  • Fox Sports More+ 507
  • ESPN
  • ESPN2

Are there Foxtel packages for existing customers?

Unfortunately, no. While talking to customer service is a surefire way to get the latest Foxtel deals available, there's no special packages or plans for existing Foxtel customers. There is Foxtel Rewards, a tiered loyalty program that offers more benefits the longer you stay signed up for Foxtel residential, but it mostly includes discounts and benefits for things like movie and concert tickets, and discounted Foxtel iQ upgrades. 

Foxtel packages with Netflix

Foxtel’s top-tier Platinum Plus package includes a Standard Netflix subscription but it can also be added to any other Foxtel package for an additional $17 per month.

Here’s what you get with a Netflix Standard Plan:

  • Access to all Netflix movies, TV shows and mobile games
  • Watch on two devices at once
  • Full HD streaming
  • Offline viewing on two devices

Read more about Netflix.

Foxtel movies and TV shows

Unlike streaming services like Netflix, Foxtel is primarily a traditional linear TV service with scheduled programming, with secondary on-demand features. So it’s a little harder to track down a complete guide to TV shows or movies that are available on Foxtel at any given time. If you head over to Foxtel’s website, you can always find an up-to-date list of on-demand Foxtel movies.

Otherwise, if you want an idea of what programs Foxtel is currently showing, you can access the rolling TV guide on Foxtel’s website even if you’re not a customer.

Here are a few popular TV shows and movies currently available on Foxtel.

Foxtel Main Event


Foxtel Main Event is another big drawcard for sports fans. The pay-per-view system is the premiere home for major UFC and Boxing matches in Australia. Matches on Main Event are pre-ordered in advance for a once-off fee and streamed via the Foxtel IQ set-top box or any device compatible with Kayo Sports. In fact, you don’t even need a Kayo subscription to order a Main Event program. Simply head over to Kayo’s Main Event page and place your order.

Event pricing varies but typically costs between $49.95 and $59.95.

Businesses like pubs and clubs have different distribution requirements and will need to order events through Foxtel’s business hub.

Foxtel News


There’s no shortage of news on Foxtel. It is, after all, the bread and butter of Foxtel’s parent company News Corp. News is such a big part of Foxtel’s coverage, that its subsidiary Streamotion (now Hubbl) launched a dedicated News streaming app called Flash back in 2021.

Flash can be subscribed to as a standalone app for $8 per month. It offers single-device HD streaming of live and on-demand news from over 25 channels.

Here’s the full list of news channels available on Foxtel. Note, all news channels are available on the base Foxtel Plus package.

  • Fox Sports News
  • Sky One
  • Sky Two
  • BBC News
  • CNN
  • Aljazeera
  • CNBC
  • MSNBC
  • Bloomberg Television
  • Sky News
  • Sky News Extra
  • Sky News Weather
  • Sky News UK
  • FOX NEWS Channel
  • China Global Television  Network
  • NHK World Japan

Foxtel Go


Foxtel Go is where things start to get a little confusing for those used to the traditional pay-TV model. Foxtel Go isn’t a standalone streaming service, but a companion app available for PC, Mac, iOS and Android devices that lets traditional Foxtel subscribers watch the content they pay for on mobile devices and web browsers.

It comes as an additional perk for regular Foxtel subscribers at no extra cost, but it does have limits. Each Foxtel subscription is eligible to register five devices but can only watch on two devices at once.

Follow the links below to download Foxtel Go on Google Play or the App Store. 

Foxtel Now


Image of Foxtel Now on Smart TV and Foxtel Now box

Foxtel Now, on the other hand, is a standalone streaming service. Its channel packages are structured similarly to the regular Foxtel plans but are cheaper in general. There are three Foxtel Now plans available:

Service
Details
Monthly price
More info
Foxtel Now | 2022 logo | Reviews.org AustraliaFoxtel Now Starter bundle
HD streaming
2 streams
Access to over 35 channels
Deal: 10-day free trial
$35/mth
Foxtel Now | 2022 logo | Reviews.org AustraliaFoxtel Now Sports + Movies bundle
HD streaming
2 streams
Access to over 40 channels + Movies on-demand + Live sports
Deal: 10-day free trial
$84/mth
Foxtel Now | 2022 logo | Reviews.org AustraliaFoxtel Now Ultimate bundle
HD streaming
2 streams
Access to over 50 channels + Movies on-demand + Live sports + Drama Extra, Kids and Docos
Deal: 10-day free trial
$65/mth*
*First 12mths. Then $104/mth

You also completely customise your Foxtel Now package if you want a very specific combination of channel packs. Starting with the required Foxtel Essentials plan ($25/mth) you can add any of the following channel packs:

  • Sport: +$29/mth
  • Movies: +$20/mth
  • Drama Extra: +$10/mth

All three packages are available to test out with a 10-day free trial. The app itself is also available on a wider selection of compatible devices than Foxtel Go.

Here’s the full list of Foxtel Now compatible devices:

  • Foxtel Now Box
  • Hisense Smart TV
  • Sony Android TV
  • Samsung Smart TV
  • LG Smart TV
  • Android smartphones and tablets
  • iPhone and iPad
  • Windows PC and Mac via Google
  • Chrome and Safari
  • Google TV with Chromecast
  • NVIDIA Shield TV
  • Telstra TV

Read more about Foxtel Now.

Info Box

Is the Foxtel Now Box still available?

The Foxtel Now Box is still technically supported by Foxtel Now but it seems to have been discontinued. Foxtel’s own website suggests buying one from Kogan, but Kogan doesn’t have any stock available. Over the last few years, Kogan has been known to throw in a free Foxtel Now Box with home entertainment products like projectors, but it seems like all that old stock has been sold off.

Foxtel Hardware


One core piece of the Foxtel experience has always been the hardware. The original Foxtel boxes were wide, slimline boxes comparable to a DVD player (at the time) that were authenticated with a physical card you would insert into a slot at the front of the device. If you knew a guy (usually a Trevor or Grant,) you could also take advantage of this system with the coveted ‘Gold Card,’ a black market card that gave you access to every channel for free.

In 2015, we got the first Foxtel iQ box. This little beauty was a game-changer at the time. It still had the physical card slot, but it also introduced the EPG (electronic programme guide,) and 160GB of onboard storage for PVR (personal video recordings.) Importantly, the combination of these two technologies gave us the iQ Personal Planner, a feature that would allow you to plan show and movie recordings ahead of time in the TV guide. If you were going to miss the latest episode of Prison Break due to a poorly placed netball match, you could plan to record the episode ahead of time and catch up when you get home.

Photograph of various Foxtel iQ boxes

It was an Australian answer to America’s TiVo and a successful one at that. Foxtel iQ was a rapid response to a growing global phenomenon that kept the brand at the forefront of Australian television.

Sadly, the Foxtel iQ box was a lot slower to keep up with the IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) and SVOD (Streaming Video-On-Demand) revolution that Netflix’s global domination expedited.

Foxtel iQ5

Foxtel iQ5 box with detachable hard drive

In its fifth iteration, nearly twenty years later, the Foxtel iQ5 box isn’t as necessary as its satellite and cable predecessors. It’s a decent streaming box and PVR device in its own right, but if you want to stream Foxtel’s content over the internet, there are plenty of options to watch Foxtel online these days.

Still, if your internet is spotty, or you want to get some use out of the satellite mounted to your roof, the Foxtel iQ5 box will connect to that unloved satellite cable drooping out of your wall. Otherwise, Foxtel iQ5 is fully compatible with a standard WiFi connection. That complicates free-to-air channels slightly, but you will still be able to stream most channels’ catch-up services so long as you set up a login with each service.

Importantly, the Foxtel iQ5 still lets you record TV shows and movies and is more flexible than ever in that regard. It actually comes with a neat, stackable 1TB hard drive that you can switch out when you fill it to the brim with episodes of Great British Bake Off.

Here’s a rundown of the Foxtel iQ5’s key specs:

Foxtel iQ5
Specs
Hard Drive (Storage)Replaceable 1TB Seagate Hard Drive
ConnectivityWiFi, Bluetooth and Infrared (Remote Control)
Warranty2 years
Max. video quality4K UHD
PortsSatellite coax, FTA coax, Ethernet, HDMI, Power,S/PDIF
Cables included2 x Foxtel coax satellite cables
1 x free-to-air coax cable
1x coax adaptor
HDMI cable (1.5m)
Power supply (12v)

Foxtel Remote


As the Foxtel box evolves, so too does the Foxtel remote. While any old universal remote will get you by these days, every new Foxtel connection comes with a remote packed in with the iQ5 box. In fact, one benefit of being a longstanding Foxtel customer is that even those still rocking the iQ3 or iQ4 can apply for a complimentary upgrade to the latest Foxtel Voice Control remote through Foxtel’s Live Chat.

The very latest Foxtel Voice Remote has a few unique features. As the name suggests, it gives you some decent voice control options, but it also features a few more upgrades, such as dedicated buttons for On Demand TV shows, movies, sports and Netflix, as well as Bluetooth connectivity (in addition to the traditional infrared connection.)

What is Hubbl?

Hubbl streaming box

Recently, a new hardware option landed for Foxtel customers. Hubbl doesn’t run Foxtel but it does feature all of the streaming apps owned by Foxtel subsidiary Hubbl, apps like Binge, Kayo, Flash and LifeStyle. The reason it’s still a viable option for Foxtel customers is that you can more or less access most of Foxtel’s content using a combination of Hubbl’s four apps.

Binge has your premium drama and movies covered, Kayo is home to Foxtel’s sports coverage, Flash features all of Foxtel's news, while the latest addition LifeStyle is home to Foxtel’s popular reality television and lifestyle programming.

The Hubbl ecosystem is also compatible with a long list of major streaming apps and even offers some bundling discounts and single billing convenience.

It’s available via two devices: the Hubbl streaming box, which costs $99 outright, and Hubbl Glass, a fully-fledged smart TV that starts at $1,395.

Hubbl Hub product image
The Hubbl streaming box
4K streaming on-demand and linear television in one box. Simplify your streaming with Stack & Save discounts and Single View billing.
bullet 4K streaming
bullet Save up to $15 per month with Stack & Save
Introductory price$99
Order now from Hubbl+ free express delivery
Hubbl Glass Pink Product Image
Hubbl Glass TV
4K QLED display with in-built Dolby Atmos soundbar. Hubbl Glass is available in Anthracite Black, Ceramic White, Ocean Blue, Racing Green or Dusky Pink.
bullet 4K streaming
bullet Save up to $15 per month with Stack & Save
From$1395
Order now from Hubbl+ free express delivery
Megaphone

Do I need a satellite for Foxtel?

No. Foxtel iQ4 and Foxtel iQ5 are capable of operating entirely over your internet connection. The broadband requirements aren’t too taxing unless you’re streaming in 4K. The minimum recommended speed for Standard Definition viewing is 3Mbps, High Definition will require 7Mbps and 25Mbps is the minimum recommended speed for 4K Foxtel. The Australian TV cable network closed down in 2023 but satellite installation is still an option if you live in an area with less desirable NBN speeds. If you already have a Foxtel satellite installed, it should only cost you $35 to get set up. But if you need a satellite installed it will cost you at least $150, potentially more if it’s deemed a ‘non-standard’ installation and extra work is needed.

Kayo vs Foxtel


Kayo Sports is technically owned by Foxtel, just a few steps removed. Foxtel owns Hubbl (previously Streamotion) which owns Kayo and other streaming apps Binge, LifeStyle and Flash. The main difference between Foxtel and Kayo is the price difference. The minimum you will pay for sports on Foxtel is $69 per month with a traditional Foxtel iQ subscription. Kayo, on the other hand, is a streaming service available on two plans: Kayo One for $25 per month or Kayo Basic for $35 per month. 

Kayo One offers HD streaming on a single device, whereas Kayo Basic offers 4K streaming on two devices. Otherwise, both plans offer the same level of access to the 50+ sports featured on both services. 

Alternatively, the Foxtel Now Sports pack costs $64 per month but it also includes the Foxtel Now Essentials pack (30+ drama and entertainment channels.) 

Service
Details
Monthly price
More info
Kayo SportsKayo One Plan
HD streaming
1 stream
Free trial: 7 days
$25/mth
Kayo SportsKayo Basic Plan
4K streaming
2 streams
Free trial: 7 days
$35/mth
Foxtel Now | 2022 logo | Reviews.org AustraliaFoxtel Now Sports + Movies bundle
HD streaming
2 streams
Access to over 40 channels + Movies on-demand + Live sports
Free trial: 10 days
$84/mth

As for which service is best, it's really a matter of what you need from your sports streaming services. All three options have most of the same major sports but the Foxtel iQ box allows you to record matches directly to your hard drive while Kayo Sports offers on-demand replays on most sports and offers a cheaper, low-commitment plan but you'll need to bring your own hardware. 

What are Foxtel Rewards?


Promo image for Foxtel Rewards

Foxtel Rewards is a lot like Optus Perks or Telstra Plus if you're familiar with those loyalty programs. If you've got a Foxtel login, via Foxtel or Foxtel Now, you can take advantage of Foxtel Rewards.

The rewards on offer are forever changing, but you can always expect some cheap event and movie tickets, plus a few obligatory entries to exclusive competitions.

Foxtel Rewards is the company's way of offering perks to loyal, longstanding customers. Different rewards are offered to different tiers. The longer you've been a Foxtel residential customer, the higher your reward tier. Here's what tier you'd be at if you've been a longtime Foxtel customer:

  1. Bronze: 0-3 years
  2. Silver: 3-8 years
  3. Gold: 8-15 years
  4. Diamond: 15+ years.

Here's a glance at some of the perks available with Foxtel Rewards at the time of writing:

  • Cheap HOYTS movie tickets: $12.50 movie tickets and $28 HOYTS LUX tickets
  • Welcome Gift: One free rental from Foxtel's digital movie store
  • Claim free tickets: An ever-changing range of free tickets to sporting and music events  across Australia
  • CODE Sports deal: Foxtel Rewards gives you three months of CODE Sports for $1. CODE Sports is a subscription-based sports news platform that offers exclusive match analysis, breaking news from AFL, NRL, Cricket, Netball and more, and betting tips via a feature called SuperCoach Plus (usually $10.99/mth or $59/yr)
  • Exclusive discounts: Discounts through retailers such as THE ICONIC and Readly

For more information on Foxtel Rewards, head over to the official FAQ page

Frequently asked questions about Foxtel

Looking for more answers? Here are the most common questions we get about Foxtel from family members and friends.

How to cancel Foxtel

We've been so coddled by frictionless methods of cancelling streaming services like Foxtel Now that we have a minor panic attack when it comes to talking to an actual human being. Unfortunately, due to the hardware costs and physical installation involved, that's what you've got to do if you want to cancel Foxtel. 

The first step to splitting up with Foxtel is calling customer service on 1300 657 346. Note that you're going to need your Account Number, which will be on your bill or on your My Account page.

Explain to the operator that you'd like to disconnect your services. Unless they convince you to stick around (they're pretty good at that,) your account should be closed when your current billing cycle is up. 

But that's not all. If you've taken a Foxtel iQ box as part of your plan, you may be asked to return the hardware. Foxtel's got a decent guide on doing so over on its website. Once you've figured all that out, all that's left to do is pay your final bill. 

It's worth remembering that longtime Foxtel customers will forfeit their Foxtel Rewards tier if they decide to cancel. It doesn't matter if you're Gold or Platinum, the moment you cancel you'll be reset to the Bronze tier.

How to get Foxtel in 4K

The Foxtel iQ5 box is 4K-compatible but you still need a 4K television to watch 4K content on Foxtel. If you've got all the necessary gear, 4K Foxtel is available at every plan tier, but it's only available via select content. You'll be able to stream 4K content through all the streaming services that offer it, like Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+, but there are also a few Foxtel channels that offer 4K. For the latest 4K movies, check out Foxtel Movies Ultra HD channel (Channel 400) and for Ultra High Definition Sports, head over to Fox Sports Ultra HD (Channel 508). 

What's the default Foxtel PIN code?

The default Foxtel PIN code is simple: 1-2-3-4. 

If you're trying to access content that's blocked by parental controls, that's what the PIN will be to unlock Foxtel as a default option. 

If you want to change the PIN to something less obvious, all you've got to do is navigate to the Foxtel homepage using the remote, then button over to the Settings icon. Then scroll down the list and click on Parental Controls and select Change PIN. At this stage you'll have to enter your current PIN (1-2-3-4 if you haven't already changed it.) Then you'll be asked to enter your brand-new PIN and then to confirm by entering it again. At this stage, it's probably smart to write it down somewhere or at least set a very memorable PIN. Forgetting it from this point forward will introduce a world of pain. 

What is Foxtel Multiscreen?

Foxtel Multiscreen is a broad umbrella term for watching the content you pay for with a Foxtel subscription on other devices via Foxtel GO. 

For example, watching Foxtel on your smartphone via Foxtel GO is considered part of the "Multiscreen" experience. 

There are a few caveats. Multiscreen, and by extension Foxtel GO, doesn't allow you to watch free-to-air channels, rent or buy items from the Foxtel Store, order Main Event matches or stream in 4K. 

Foxtel Multiroom, on the other hand, involves ordering additional Foxtel iQ boxes in order to get the complete Foxtel experience in multiple rooms of your house. That includes all the recording features,  4K streaming, free-to-air channels and third-party streaming apps that the core Foxtel iQ experience offers.

Multiroom costs an additional $25 per month for every Foxtel IQ box added. But you'll also incur a setup and hardware fee for every box you add to your house. 

Foxtel claims that the Multiscreen feature costs an additional $15 per month, but there isn't a single Foxtel bundle that doesn't come with Multiscreen included. 

Is bEIN Sports on Foxtel?

No. As of July 2023, beIN SPORTS is no longer included with a Foxtel subscription.  Instead, you can now sign up for a separate service beIN Connect at $14.99 per month or $149.99 per year. 

Prime Video subscribers can also access beIN SPORTS as a Prime Video Channel. It still comes with the same free trial and the same monthly price but you will pay for your subscription via Amazon instead of direct. 

Is the Ashes on Foxtel?

No. Well, not officially. The Ashes are exclusive to the 9 Network and via the 9now catch-up service. However, if you're so inclined, you can technically watch The Ashes on your Foxtel iQ5 box, you just need to download the 9NOW app and create a login. 

Rev Streaming
There’s too much good TV and not enough time. We take the guesswork out with our weekly picks for what to watch.
You're going to love The Watchlist**By clicking this link, you are contractually obliged to love The Watchlist. You don't have to tell everybody about The Watchlist, but that would help prove that you love it in the court of law. if it came to that.

What to expect from The Watchlist

The growing number of streaming video-on-demand services has unlocked a world of entertainment for everyday Australians. But what should be a dream come true has slowly turned into a living nightmare; an avalanche of content delivered direct to your screen with nobody sorting the rare gems from the rivers of cinematic sludge.

It's like that scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark where the Nazi opens the coveted ark. The thing we so desperately wanted in Australia, after decades of delayed movie and TV releases, has melted our face off and turned us into a puddle of quivering goop.

What The Watchlist offers is a return to simpler times. Like getting a recommendation from the cool Video Ezy clerk. We keep our recommendations simple and focused, typically in line with a common theme (actor, director, genre etc.,) or recent release. 

There are plenty of services and newsletters like The Watchlist around the world, but our recommendations are specific to an Australian audience. So if we recommend something, you can be sure we'll tell you where its streaming too. 

Brodie Fogg
Written by
Brodie Fogg is the Australian editorial lead at Reviews.org. He has covered consumer tech, telecommunications, video games, streaming and entertainment for over five years at websites like WhistleOut and Finder and can be found sharing streaming recommendations at 7NEWS every month.

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