43 replies to this topic

[davidhes]

Hi all,

Just read this press release, couldn't see it anywhere on here.

[QOUTE]At AUSTAR, we're passionate about looking for ways to improve your service with great value, quality entertainment. As a result, we have some very exciting news to share. We're Launching 2 Amazing New Channels

ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD – bringing you more fantastic live US and international sports coverage to the Sports Option. Covering everything from NBA and baseball to soccer and Indy Car racing. ESPN2 HD* will also be available. These channels both launch on March 1.

LifeStyle HOME – a channel dedicated to the best in home & gardening, buying & selling and all things about your home. Knocking on your door from March 1, its home will be channel 119 in the Living Option, and it will replace the How To Channel. Check out the brochure for more about these new channels.

Have Your Checked Out These FREE Services?

AUSTAR AnyWhere® – our online TV service gives you access to some AUSTAR TV programs beyond the confines of your lounge room.

Featured (available in your Planner) – our new on demand service offers a great variety of shows to watch whenever you want at just the touch of a button.

TV Guide Search* – now it's even easier to find quality entertainment on AUSTAR. Our new search helps you find the shows you love, fast!
Some Changes to the Price of AUSTAR

There are also a few changes to our standard pricing. We've done our very best to keep our pricing as low as possible, whilst ensuring we provide you with the biggest sporting events, new features and great choice all year round. From February 20, we’ll be adjusting some pricing as follows:

* Starter Pack will increase by $1
* The price of 2 or 3 General Entertainment Options will increase by $1
* The Sports Option will go up by $2
* The movie options will be rounded up by 5c each
* If you've got it all, The Works will increase by $4[/QOUTE]

So basically we are getting 1 new channel and my bill is going up $4. Don't even know where to begin I'm so frustrated... We have less channels than foxtel, pay more and they increase our prices even more. What a joke..

Sigh.....

[OzyDave]

davidhes, on Jan 20 2011, 10:17 PM, said:

Hi all,

Just read this press release, couldn't see it anywhere on here.

[QOUTE]At AUSTAR, we're passionate about looking for ways to improve your service with great value, quality entertainment. As a result, we have some very exciting news to share. We're Launching 2 Amazing New Channels

ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD – bringing you more fantastic live US and international sports coverage to the Sports Option. Covering everything from NBA and baseball to soccer and Indy Car racing. ESPN2 HD* will also be available. These channels both launch on March 1.

LifeStyle HOME – a channel dedicated to the best in home & gardening, buying & selling and all things about your home. Knocking on your door from March 1, its home will be channel 119 in the Living Option, and it will replace the How To Channel. Check out the brochure for more about these new channels.

Have Your Checked Out These FREE Services?

AUSTAR AnyWhere® – our online TV service gives you access to some AUSTAR TV programs beyond the confines of your lounge room.

Featured (available in your Planner) – our new on demand service offers a great variety of shows to watch whenever you want at just the touch of a button.

TV Guide Search* – now it's even easier to find quality entertainment on AUSTAR. Our new search helps you find the shows you love, fast!
Some Changes to the Price of AUSTAR

There are also a few changes to our standard pricing. We've done our very best to keep our pricing as low as possible, whilst ensuring we provide you with the biggest sporting events, new features and great choice all year round. From February 20, we’ll be adjusting some pricing as follows:

* Starter Pack will increase by $1
* The price of 2 or 3 General Entertainment Options will increase by $1
* The Sports Option will go up by $2
* The movie options will be rounded up by 5c each
* If you've got it all, The Works will increase by $4[/QOUTE]

So basically we are getting 1 new channel and my bill is going up $4. Don't even know where to begin I'm so frustrated... We have less channels than foxtel, pay more and they increase our prices even more. What a joke..

Sigh.....

Write to Austar, telling them the same. If enough people keep complaining, they might do a little to try harder. Might.

[doodlefeatures]

Geez Austar really do screw you guys over (my folks have it), we (with Foxtel) got a handful of extra HD channels, a couple of music channels and, the bane of Austar customer's, Speed, in November and our price went DOWN.  It's absolutely ridiculous that you can't choose between Austar and Fox

[davidhes]

Unfortunately complaining to them really seems to do nothing. If you head over to the austar facebook page you will actually see that they removed their wall and created a discussions page because it was full of complaints for months about the lack of speed and hd channels, they didn't want people to see that when going to their page. There is a large discussion about the price increase on there with many people upset and austar commented and said this -

Hi guys, I'm sorry about your concerns about this year's price increase. We've tried to keep our annual increase as small as possible to keep AUSTAR affordable, while continuing to expand the programming and features on AUSTAR. We offer the flexibility to upgrade and downgrade your Options to meet your preferences and financial situation, and we do offer financial assistance for those who may find themselves in special circumstances. You'll receive a letter next week explaining the impact on your own monthly bill.

Due to the huge amount of live content that ESPN has access to, they're launching a new channel, ESPN2, so they can show more of the sporting events they have access to LIVE. ESPN HD, which currently shows different content to ESPN, will become a simulcast channel wtih ESPN, and ESPN2 HD will show the same content as ESPN2 (but in HD). So some ESPN content that might've been shown on delay previously due to live clashes, can now be shown on the additional ESPN channel. Then there's also ESPN3.com, which is ESPN's re-launched online broadband network.

As well as ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD, we'll be launching LifeStyle HOME and LifeStyle HD on March 1. While we haven't been able to reach an agreement with Speed, we're still in negotiations to work out the best solution for our customers in order to receive the content that you want at a fair price. We'll be sure to let you know on the Speed Channel discussion thread and austar.com.au as soon as we have news.

-- Just more crap from them. I've rung and complained saying I was going to get rid of it and basically they were happy to cancel my subscription, no offers to keep me or apologies. Anyone not in a city area is screwed for every dollar, we have no choice but to pay their high prices or be stuck with crappy FTA. This also extends to internet plans with other companies....

[OzyDave]

I just had a thought. I wonder how many channels Austar buy from the USA or more specifically in $US? With the $AU increasing some 20% in value over the last year, why do Austar think that an annual increase should be a fait accompli?

[pgdownload]

So Austar isn't allowed to ever put up its fees? Its a private company offering a service to regional Australia. Frankly its amazing its cost structure is anywhere near the ballpark of metro based Foxtel. Once again its presumed that regional and metro costs can somehow be the same when they patently can't. On the other side Austar appear to offer a much more flexible package selection option, compared to Foxtel's and a 3-4% rise every year or two isn't a unreasonable ask IMO.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[doodlefeatures]

pgdownload, on Jan 21 2011, 10:18 AM, said:

So Austar isn't allowed to ever put up its fees? Its a private company offering a service to regional Australia. Frankly its amazing its cost structure is anywhere near the ballpark of metro based Foxtel. Once again its presumed that regional and metro costs can somehow be the same when they patently can't. On the other side Austar appear to offer a much more flexible package selection option, compared to Foxtel's and a 3-4% rise every year or two isn't a unreasonable ask IMO.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

That's not really the point, the issue is those in Austar only areas aren't given the choice of providers and are forced to go with an inferior service with less channels.
Yes, they can charge what they want, but when people see what Foxtel are charging and what Foxtel offer, Austar customers are quite rightly jacked off.

[killer1500]

I know there was no plans to bring MTV hits to platform, but I was at least hoping to see the new MTV live channel and also all the HD Discovery and Nat Geo channels. The SD versions are horrible quality, and they look amazing in HD on foxtel.

And where the hell is Speed. The Austar Discussion page (forum) is going nuts on its Facebook page, I would of thought Speed would be a top of the list of new channels. One day people had motorsport content on Fox Sports and Fuel TV, the next day they took it away.

At least Box Office HD On Demand (Austar Anytime) is coming soon.

Edited by killer1500, 21 January 2011 - 09:25 AM.

[OzyDave]

pgdownload, on Jan 21 2011, 10:18 AM, said:

So Austar isn't allowed to ever put up its fees? Its a private company offering a service to regional Australia. Frankly its amazing its cost structure is anywhere near the ballpark of metro based Foxtel. Once again its presumed that regional and metro costs can somehow be the same when they patently can't. On the other side Austar appear to offer a much more flexible package selection option, compared to Foxtel's and a 3-4% rise every year or two isn't a unreasonable ask IMO.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

Of course they can put up their price. They are after all in an open market competing against ........ insert the sound of crickets chirping.
I just wonder if their costs have increased.

[pgdownload]

doodlefeatures, on Jan 21 2011, 10:22 AM, said:

That's not really the point, the issue is those in Austar only areas aren't given the choice of providers and are forced to go with an inferior service with less channels. When people see what Foxtel are charging and what Foxtel offer, Austar customers are quite rightly jacked off.

And I'd put it to you that its quite unright to feel that way. Foxtel can offer more for less because it is metro based. Suggesting a Foxtel service should somehow be transported to a regional area at no extra cost is fantasy. As it is Foxtel customer's can often end up paying more than regional anyway because Foxtel structures its packages to make this almost a requirement.

Ultimately Austar is a reasonably successful company posting modest profits (In 2009 they posted about an 8% profit on total revenue of 675 million) and providing a much sought after service to regional Australia. The suggestion they're screwing customers for every last cent seems unfounded. Adding more "competition" to the area would be unlikely to result in any huge price drop as current fees are really only just covering operating and programming expenses. In fact a competitor would likely be hugely detrimental as there simply isn't the population/customer base to support

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[doodlefeatures]

So it's 'unright' for those NASCAR fans in regional Australia to feel aggrieved that they can't watch the Sprint Cup on their TVs in 2011?  Perhaps they should just suck it up and be happy with what they get while their city cousins can sit back and watch it in HD with a multi-view 'press red' thing that allows you to follow different drivers?

[pgdownload]

OzyDave, on Jan 21 2011, 10:13 AM, said:

I just had a thought. I wonder how many channels Austar buy from the USA or more specifically in $US? With the $AU increasing some 20% in value over the last year, why do Austar think that an annual increase should be a fait accompli?

Its a good point, however the impact is unlikely to be as big as you'd think.

Quote

AUSTAR today announced a major commitment to Australian productions and a substantial increase to its local commissions, including 10 major drama and comedy series, more than 20 new documentary and lifestyle programs and its biggest ever line up of marquee Australian sport.

I'd presume most stuff on Austar is from the US/UK? However, local content costs about 10 times what overseas content does. More significantly only about 45% of Austar's costs are for purchasing/making programming. So the savings are on that part. Austar also seems to hedge against $ fluctuations (as many compaies do), so its quite probable that the overall US content purchase costs has remained quite steady.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[DrP]

If Porter didn't rake in such an astoundingly large pay packet this increase (and the next and probably the one after!) could be avoided.

[pgdownload]

doodlefeatures, on Jan 21 2011, 11:16 AM, said:

So it's 'unright' for those NASCAR fans in regional Australia to feel aggrieved that they can't watch the Sprint Cup on their TVs in 2011?  Perhaps they should just suck it up and be happy with what they get while their city cousins can sit back and watch it in HD with a multi-view 'press red' thing that allows you to follow different drivers?

Of course we can all be disappointed that we miss out on something. I'm just saying its not right to suggest that Austar is somehow "bad" because it can't provide people in regional areas with everything they want at the price they want it. Living in a regional area has some amazing benefits and some pitfalls, there's little reasonableness in blaming Austar for what is really a simple economic reality.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[davidhes]

I don't see how the cost differences for providing to regional areas would be that much more expensive at all actually? Other than the installation costs to some regional areas, if it is not a larger area then yes the installation cost would be higher. However we are all receiving a signal from a satellite, and Austar's offices are in the City so.... I don't see drastically where the difference in cost to the operator would be.  And are you a happy Foxtel customer Peter Gillespie, try being on the other side of the fence for a change. I wouldn't even call where I live regional anymore, Townsville is set to become the 2nd capital of Queensland but I'm still restricted to Austar.

[pgdownload]

davidhes, on Jan 21 2011, 12:19 PM, said:

I don't see how the cost differences for providing to regional areas would be that much more expensive at all actually?

Being "remote" is not just about the cost of providing a service (although that's obviously a factor). Its about how many people you can have access to.

Foxtel is available to over 70% of Australian homes
Foxtel has 1,700,000 subscribers
Foxtel's annual revenue appears to be about $2000m
Foxtel operates in richer metro areas

Austar is available to only 30% of Australian homes (contractually)
Austar has 800,000 subscribers
Austar annual revenue appears to be about $750m
Austar operates in less well off regional areas

I'm sure Austar would love to buy all the same content Foxtel can afford. However as they only made an 8% profit last year, you can see they're purchasing what they can. Really its in all Austar's exisiting customer base interests to talk up the company. Another few 100,000 subscribers might get you the Sprint Cup for 2012

Quote

And are you a happy Foxtel customer Peter Gillespie, try being on the other side of the fence for a change.

I wish I could afford Foxtel. For some unfathomable reason my tiny plot of inner city land and apartment costs more than the 1 acre, 4 bedroom houses people out in the country seem to take for granted.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

Edited by pgdownload, 21 January 2011 - 01:40 PM.

[BamBBBam]

pgdownload, on Jan 21 2011, 11:39 AM, said:

I'm sure Austar would love to buy all the same content Foxtel can afford. However as they only made an 8% profit last year

Well the breathtaking executive salaries didn't help!

[viewer]

pgdownload, on Jan 21 2011, 10:58 AM, said:

And I'd put it to you that its quite unright to feel that way. Foxtel can offer more for less because it is metro based. Suggesting a Foxtel service should somehow be transported to a regional area at no extra cost is fantasy. As it is Foxtel customer's can often end up paying more than regional anyway because Foxtel structures its packages to make this almost a requirement.

Ultimately Austar is a reasonably successful company posting modest profits (In 2009 they posted about an 8% profit on total revenue of 675 million) and providing a much sought after service to regional Australia. The suggestion they're screwing customers for every last cent seems unfounded. Adding more "competition" to the area would be unlikely to result in any huge price drop as current fees are really only just covering operating and programming expenses. In fact a competitor would likely be hugely detrimental as there simply isn't the population/customer base to support

Regards

Peter Gillespie

My opinions, and I don't expect everyone to agree...

How do you determine "they are providing a much sought out service to regional Australia?"...as there is no way that can be factually measured, as there is no alternative service to compare/purchase, and customer is left with only a choice of take it or leave it....so in my opinion, your statement is bunkum.

Using the same methodology, you say Foxtel can offer it cheaper because it is city based.... then why are food prices higher in the country when that is where it is produced?

15-15....your serve...lol



We all know that the relationship between Foxtel and Austar is defacto one, and is not designed to offer an alternate to either one for the customer, other than the alternative to get lost if, you want a competetive service.

[pgdownload]

BamBBBam, on Jan 21 2011, 08:37 PM, said:

Well the breathtaking executive salaries didn't help!

They never help. However for the sake of argument. If the executives decided to work for nothing last year (as is only reasonable) then yes each subscriber could have paid $6 less for their subscription.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[pgdownload]

Quote

How do you determine "they are providing a much sought out service to regional Australia?"...as there is no way that can be factually measured,....so in my opinion, your statement is bunkum.

Because 800,000 (factual) regional households seek it out. If they didn't, it wouldn't be "much sought after".

Quote

Using the same methodology, you say Foxtel can offer it cheaper because it is city based.... then why are food prices higher in the country when that is where it is produced?

Foxtel isn't cheaper than Austar (its usually more expensive), it only offers more for the same price. I've provided several reasons as to why that's the case. The food industry is a step up in complexity and contradiction. Pricing has little to do with where something is grown. You can't use the same methodology.

Quote

15-15....your serve...lol

I'd have to refer to Hawke Eye on that one.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[viewer]

lol...
Do you think they would still have 800,000 subscribers if there were a choice between the two?...I think not.

Likewise, if Austar folded, do you think 800,000 people would then disappear into the paytv black hole, as Foxtel would not have the capacity to offer the service at the same metropolitan price?...again, I think not.

In my opinion, it is a business agreement not to compete, no matter what anyone thinks or try's to justify. But as far as I know, it seems not to be illegal in any way...we can't force them to compete, and there is no apparant price fixing.

Seems silly doesn't it that a bank offers the same money rates Australia wide, but their costs are higher to operate in the bush?...wonder how they have the capability to do it?

Score now ??....hmmm video ref calls it too close to call, and refers it back to the on court ref.

[pgdownload]

I agree its artificial. And I am not sure how an agreement to let Austar do Regional and Foxtel do Metro came about (or passed ACCC scrutiny). But once you have a national "footprint" then its possible to defray (subsidise) higher costs in the regionals with revenue from the metro. The NBN is a classic case. It will be ubiquitous, so every one will pay the same amount. The fact that provision costs $10 in the cities and $500 in the country will be averaged out to $40 for everybody. I have no qualm with that.

But Austar doesn't have that luxury. Its "regional", and only regional.

Regards

Peter Gillespie

[viewer]

Ah well, at least we have something, and I guess that that is the main thing...we still have the choice to take it or leave it....thanks for the discussion.

[Mining Man]

viewer, on Jan 22 2011, 10:15 AM, said:

Ah well, at least we have something, and I guess that that is the main thing...we still have the choice to take it or leave it....thanks for the discussion.

And just to comment on that...

We've had Austar for the 18 months we've been living in regional Australia. And by regional, think somewhere between Kalgoorlie and Dubbo.

We've only ever had Austar connected to the two TVs in the house - no free to air. With the cricket over summer, I made the effort to fix the antenna that had fallen off the roof, run cable, connect directly to the TV, and forgo the surround sound system and use the TV's tinny speakers instead.

I was quickly reminded why Austar is worth every cent compared to the only alternative where I live.

[Obviousman]

What a crock. I don't watch sports or lifestyle, so these new channels mean zero to me... but I get slugged an extra $4 per month. I'm giving serious consideration to having the service disconnected.

BTW, I would second the advice to complain - in writing - to Austar, but also CC your complaint to the ACCC and possibly ASTRA.