25 replies to this topic

[pc9]

Spoke to an Austar franchised seller in the shopping centre yesterday (Cairns) who advised that the branding swap to Foxtel should occur over the next two weeks. He further claimed that from that point onwards, any new receivers issued would be Foxtel. Anybody else heard anything?

[nbound]

IQ's in rural areas, that wont make people happy. Bye bye digital on same box.

[DrP]

The MyStars never handled FTA well anyway.  When the going gets tough, the Mystar starts going.  I know a few people in difficult terrain around here that have MyStar HDs that perform quite badly with FTA yet other receivers work quite well.

[nbound]

So do I, but alot of people strongly prefer them because changing inputs is akin to removing a limb (for them), Im sure they'll learn but that doesnt mean they'll be any less annoyed. Some people will also be annoyed they'll now need a PVR to record FTA.

Edited by nbound, 13 May 2012 - 09:38 AM.

[killer1500]

I dont have any issues with FTA on my Mystar HD, the loss of FTA would annoy me though.

Im sure now that Foxtel is a national company, covering all states and areas (including country, got to remember FTA is different in the country) its time to consider that all new receivers (the next model IQ) get FTA now that a good percent of there customers arent in metro eastern states and receive there FTA channels via cable or satalite.

Dont most USA cable companies recieve FTA, you would think its pretty important especially considering the price of a good FTA PVR (eg TiVo), its a selling point and what FTA means to Australians.

Edited by killer1500, 13 May 2012 - 11:09 AM.

[thomfam]

The only hassle I have with my Mystar and FTA is when I try to remote record something on our local 7Mate.  I receive local 7Mate on Mystar but when I try to use the remote record function I am unable to select it.  I can select Brisbane's 7Mate and then when I try to set record I am told that is unavailable for my account.  Where I live we can get both local and Brisbane 7Mate.

I don't use it often but the ability to record FTA can be handy.  I wouldn't want to lose it.

[DrP]

USA cable networks carry the local broadcasts because that's what they were initially there to do.  Later Government regulation forces them to do it even if they don't want to.

Ultimately what Foxtel does with its own receivers in regards to FTA reception will come down to Foxtel's perceptions and marketing - ie, is there a large enough advantage (more pay TV subscribers than if they didn't have FTA tuners) to have FTA tuners in its receivers to justify the additional expense.  Another way to look at it would be how many Austar subscribers would cancel their subscription if their pay TV PVR no longer had FTA tuners.

[sleeptalker]

Bigger, stronger Foxtel to spruik its wares

http://www.theaustra...u-1226354296716

[fairybread]

sleeptalker, on 14 May 2012 - 12:38 PM, said:

Bigger, stronger Foxtel to spruik its wares

http://www.theaustra...u-1226354296716

...and with new brand identity and positioning comes excuses to increase charges.

[DrP]

pfffft.  Since when has Foxtel needed an excuse to hike its fees?

[fairybread]

Yes, but it's going to be interesting when all the Foxtel customers realise that the price hikes are due to the take over and the future cross-subsidising of Austar customers for no direct benifit to them.

[DrP]

Umm.  Right.  Your name is quite apt.

[nbound]

fairybread, on 14 May 2012 - 02:55 PM, said:

Yes, but it's going to be interesting when all the Foxtel customers realise that the price hikes are due to the take over and the future cross-subsidising of Austar customers for no direct benifit to them.

Except that in the short/medium term they'll cost no more than they did for austar, and in the long term foxtel will be better off as they'll be able to turn off the satellite transponders carrying Austar channels (as they are the same as whats available from foxtel and satellite transponders arent cheap to rent)

Edited by nbound, 15 May 2012 - 12:51 PM.

[fairybread]

nbound, on 14 May 2012 - 04:57 PM, said:

Except that in the short/medium term they'll cost no more than they did for austar,  

Which is more than they are paying now.

nbound, on 14 May 2012 - 04:57 PM, said:

and in the long term foxtel will be better off as they'll be able to turn off the satellite transponders carrying Austar channels (as they are the same as whats available from foxtel and satellite transponders arent cheap to rent)

Good, I hope you are right. I look forward to prices decreasing (or prices staying the same at the very least) over the long term.

[BamBBBam]

nbound, on 14 May 2012 - 04:57 PM, said:

foxtel will be better off as they'll be able to turn off the satellite transponders carrying Austar channels (as they are the same as whats available from foxtel and satellite transponders arent cheap to rent)

Say what? It's the same broadcast, just encrypted with both Irdeto and NDS.

There's no 'double-broadcast'. There are a couple of channels that are Irdeto or NDS only (e.g CCTV)

Edited by BamBBBam, 14 May 2012 - 07:12 PM.

[davmel]

nbound, on 14 May 2012 - 04:57 PM, said:

Except that in the short/medium term they'll cost no more than they did for austar, and in the long term foxtel will be better off as they'll be able to turn off the satellite transponders carrying Austar channels (as they are the same as whats available from foxtel and satellite transponders arent cheap to rent)

There's only one transponder that could be ultimately turned off (or re-used for more content channels) and that is the Austar home transponder that sends their EPG data and firmware updates for their own boxes. All the other transponders share the same content channels with simulcryption.
There isn't a huge saving in not using one transponder, but the biggest saving will be the 50% higher household subscription numbers that Foxtel will be able to use in negotiations for cheaper per unit licensing costs with content owners and distributors.

[nbound]

BamBBBam, on 14 May 2012 - 07:11 PM, said:

Say what? It's the same broadcast, just encrypted with both Irdeto and NDS.

There's no 'double-broadcast'. There are a couple of channels that are Irdeto or NDS only (e.g CCTV)

davmel, on 15 May 2012 - 12:43 PM, said:

There's only one transponder that could be ultimately turned off (or re-used for more content channels) and that is the Austar home transponder that sends their EPG data and firmware updates for their own boxes. All the other transponders share the same content channels with simulcryption.
There isn't a huge saving in not using one transponder, but the biggest saving will be the 50% higher household subscription numbers that Foxtel will be able to use in negotiations for cheaper per unit licensing costs with content owners and distributors.

Fair enough, wasnt aware of that actually - all I have to do with C1/D3 99% of the time is Aurora/VAST work. Cheers

Edited by nbound, 15 May 2012 - 12:50 PM.

[Tank Engine]

thomfam, on 13 May 2012 - 12:37 PM, said:

The only hassle I have with my Mystar and FTA is when I try to remote record something on our local 7Mate.  I receive local 7Mate on Mystar but when I try to use the remote record function I am unable to select it.  I can select Brisbane's 7Mate and then when I try to set record I am told that is unavailable for my account.  Where I live we can get both local and Brisbane 7Mate.

I don't use it often but the ability to record FTA can be handy.  I wouldn't want to lose it.

Top RH corner of the guide, "preferences" make sure you have the right region set and try selecting "Include Neighbouring Regions" it might do the trick??

[thomfam]

Tank Engine, on 18 May 2012 - 06:32 PM, said:

Top RH corner of the guide, "preferences" make sure you have the right region set and try selecting "Include Neighbouring Regions" it might do the trick??

Still no luck but thanks for the tip.  'Include neighbouring regions' was already ticked.

[hidefdave]

Here's the official AUSTAR press release, issued today:

MEDIA RELEASE: Thursday, May 24, 2012

FOXTEL AND AUSTAR UNITE TO DELIVER NEW NATIONAL

TELEVISION SERVICE

FOXTEL and AUSTAR  have completed their merger transaction, creating  a national subscription
television service  that will deliver  innovative new digital products and  content for  all Australian
consumers.
The new FOXTEL will directly employ  approximately  2,500 people, service 2.2 million subscriber
households, and entertain over seven million viewers each week.
Richard Freudenstein, FOXTEL Chief Executive said: “This is a great day for FOXTEL and AUSTAR
customers,  and  for  all consumers  wanting  world-leading  home entertainment. The new national
FOXTEL will offer the widest range of high quality channels, the most innovative technology and best
customer service of any television provider in Australia.
“We will physically bring the FOXTEL and AUSTAR platforms together over the coming months. Soon
consumers will receive the same great FOXTEL content whether you live in regional Australia or the
cities. AUSTAR customers will not need to do anything; they will transition seamlessly to FOXTEL.
“The scale of our new business means that we have the resources to keep innovating and improving
our  services. We are particularly pleased to be able to offer existing FOXTEL  content  to our new
customers in regional Australia and we will take  some of the extra content that AUSTAR offers and
bring it to FOXTEL’s existing customers.”
The immediate benefit to AUSTAR customers in joining FOXTEL includes FOXTEL’s ground-breaking
LONDON 2012 Olympic Games  coverage in July.  AUSTAR’s sports subscribers will  join all other
FOXTEL sports package subscribers in  receiving FOXTEL’s exclusive coverage at no additional
charge. Eight dedicated channels, providing the most comprehensive live coverage in the history of
the Games.

From July 1, there will be an improved channel line-up for all subscribers.
Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo Wild and MTV Live  will be available  to
AUSTAR subscribers  in high definition (HD) for the first time. Eurosportnews is moving into Starter
Pack and MTV Hits and MTV Live will be added to the Fun Option.
FOXTEL customers will receive two new 24 hour English language news  channels, Al Jazeera and
CCTV News. W and TCM will also move to the FOXTEL Get Started package.
Plans are well advanced for the integration of the two businesses and there will be more exciting
developments for customers in coming months. Details of organisational and product changes will be
made once details are finalised.
________________________________________________
The new national company will be called FOXTEL.
While FOXTEL and AUSTAR merge, it is business as usual for customers of both companies:
billing, equipment and pricing will stay the same.
All AUSTAR customers should contact their usual phone number, 132 432. Non-subscribers
wanting to take a service in existing AUSTAR areas should call 132 342.
FOXTEL subscribers continue to call 131 999.
There are no changes planned to current residential pricing for either FOXTEL or AUSTAR this
year.
iQ will not be available to all customers this year, however, we are working towards integrating
both companies’ products, and rolling out new services to regional areas.
Discovery Channel (ch232), National Geographic Channel (ch236), Nat Geo Wild (ch238) MTV
Live HD (ch252) will be available to AUSTAR subscribers for the first time in HD, from July 1.
For AUSTAR customers, Eurosportnews (ch514)  is moving into Starter Pack.  MTV Hits
(ch808) and MTV Live (ch812) will be added for subscribers to the Fun Option.
From July 1, W and TCM will move to the FOXTEL Get Started package.
FOXTEL  customers will also receive two new 24 hour English language news channels, Al
Jazeera and CCTV News.
XYZ Networks will merge with the FOXTEL Channel Group to become FOXTEL Networks.
This area will produce the following channel brands:
 111 HITS
 Arena
 A&E
 Bio
 Channel [V]
 Country Music Channel
 The Comedy Channel
 Crime & Investigation Network
 FOX8
 FOX Classics
 FOXTEL On Demand
 The History Channel
 MAIN EVENT
 MAX
 The LifeStyle Channel
 LifeStyle FOOD
 LifeStyle HOME
 LifeStyle YOU
 [V] HITS
 W
 The Weather Channel
FOXTEL will now have offices in North Ryde,  Sydney; Moonee Ponds, Melbourne; and
Robina on the Gold Coast.
About FOXTEL
FOXTEL is one of Australia’s most progressive and dynamic media companies, directly employing around 2,500 people,
and delivering a diverse subscription television service to  both regional and metropolitan areas over cable, satellite and
broadband distribution. We offer a better entertainment experience every day to each one of our 2.2 million subscribing
homes through delivery of exclusive and inspiring programming across all genres, the world’s most popular channel brands,
and investment in high quality local content. As constant champions of innovation we have brought customers the latest
personal digital recording technology, Australia’s largest HD offering, FOXTEL 3D, and this year, the most comprehensive
Olympic Games coverage Australia has ever seen. FOXTEL is owned by Telstra Corporation Limited ACN 051 775 556
(50%), The News Corporation Ltd (25%), and Consolidated Media Holdings Ltd (25%). www.foxtel.com.au

[duke]

Bummer. Wish we got the channels before July.

[anacho]

pc9, on 13 May 2012 - 08:17 AM, said:

Spoke to an Austar franchised seller in the shopping centre yesterday (Cairns) who advised that the branding swap to Foxtel should occur over the next two weeks. He further claimed that from that point onwards, any new receivers issued would be Foxtel. Anybody else heard anything?

I was told the opposite. That Foxtel boxes would not be issued in Austar areas. Otherwise I was going to wait for IQ before upgrading, now I'm going with MyStar.

I won't be happy if IQ boxes do come available.

[DR.ZOIDBERG]

Will we still keep Free To Air on our Mystar HD Boxes and able to record them

Also what about the mystar austar iphone app, will it still work?

[benschke]

I think you guys are kidding yourselves if you expect prices to drop because of the merger? Would be nice but I can't see it happening.

[pgdownload]

Agreed. However it will probably mean more is offered for the same price for at least a little while now. The merger should enable Foxtel to buy more / better content for less. Presumably existing contracts will run their terms and then the subscription packages will be rationalised into just Foxtel's price package.

Regards

Peter Gillespie