Everything we know about Foxtel’s Hubbl TV

Foxtel's Hubbl, the product previously known as Project Magneto internally has been in the works for a few years now. But Foxtel has officially revealed the new streaming service aggregator and Hubbl hardware. 

Hubbl is a new product and platform that consolidates streaming services, sports and everything else in Foxtel's streaming portfolio (Binge, Kayo etc.) 

Streamotion, the Foxtel subsidiary that owns Binge, Kayo and Flash, has also been rebranded as Hubbl. 

So in short, Hubbl is a Foxtel subsidiary, a streaming service aggregator and a new line of hardware. 

Hubbl is delivered via one of two hardware choices: a streaming box, akin to Apple TV, or a full-blown smart TV, known as Hubbl Glass. Both Hubbl devices will release in March 2024. Hubbl Glass is exclusive to Harvey Norman and the Hubbl website, while the Hubbl box will be available through JB HI-FI, Harvey Norman and the Hubbl website. 

Here’s everything we know about Hubbl so far, including pricing, release date and availability. 

According to Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany, the Hubbl launch is a response to “streaming frustration and fatigue” in Australia. As per Foxtel’s announcement, Hubbl is part platform, part hardware; a singular solution that brings together the vast amount of paid and free streaming options available in Australia.

That’s a nice sentiment but not an entirely new one. Just about every streaming device, gaming console and smart TV would love to sell you as many subscriptions as possible by removing the friction involved with switching between services. Foxtel’s only Pay TV competitor Fetch TV attempted this with a universal search feature baked into its Mighty and Mini boxes back in 2016. So what makes Hubbl different exactly? 

Well, the user-experience will make or break the Hubbl platform itself, but there's always a distinct difference in the hardware offered. 

Hubbl has confirmed that both the Hubbl streaming box and the Hubbl Glass smart TV will release on the 10th of March 2024. Hubbl will be available through JB HI-FI, Harvey Norman and Hubbl's website, while Hubbl Glass will be a Harvey Norman in-store exclusive but also available through the Hubbl website online. 

Hubbl, or what we’ll call the Hubbl Box for the sake of differentiating, is a streaming box that resembles the Fetch Mini or Apple TV. This seems to be the option for those who are perfectly happy with their own television but still want to access Hubbl’s services.

The Hubbl box is positioned as the (much) more affordable option, costing just $99 outright. 

The Hubbl box will be available to purchase at JB HI-FI, Harvey Norman and direct through the Hubbl website. 

Hubbl Glass might be the most enticing proposition of this whole launch. Rather than a streaming stick or set-top box, Hubbl Glass is an entire 4K smart TV with an in-built soundbar. 

Hubbl Glass will launch in Australia in two size options: 

• Hubbl Glass Medium 55-inch: $1,595
• Hubbl Glass Large 65-inch: $1,995

Each model is available in five different colour options:

• Anthracite Black
• Ceramic White
• Ocean Blue
• Racing Green
• Dusky Pink

Hubbl Glass features most of the bells and whistles of a 4K television in 2024. It offers 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution, HDR10 and Dolby Vision, HDMI 2.1 and a QLED quantum dot panel, plus WiFi 6 and ethernet connectivity. One drawback for gamers will be the 60Hz capped refresh rate, which limits some of the features of the latest consoles.

Hubbl Glass will be available to purchase direct from the Hubbl website, but exclusive to Harvey Norman for in-store purchases. 

Hubbl itself isn’t a streaming service. It’s a platform that brings together major streaming services in one place. Foxtel released images of the Hubbl user interface at its launch event (above) and it seems quite similar to the universal user experience offered by most smart TVs at a glance. We'll know more about the Hubbl platform when we get some hands-on time with it. 

As for subscribing to different services, it seems like Hubbl will operate a little like Amazon Prime Video channels, where you access TV shows and movies from various streaming services through a single platform.

Foxtel has already announced a suite of apps that will be available at Hubbl’s launch (and soon after,) including an all-new service from Foxtel called LifeStyle, which will be home to many of the company’s most popular lifestyle programming.

• Netflix
• Disney+
• Amazon Prime Video
• YouTube
• Apple TV+
• Kayo Sports
• Binge
• Flash
• ABC iView
• ABC Kids
• SBS On Demand
• 7plus
• 9now
• 10 Play
• Lifestyle
• Stan (available soon after launch)
• Paramount+ (available soon after launch)
• Optus Sport (available soon after launch)