Foxtel Now - Features, price and what to watch
Foxtel Now is a premium streaming service offered by Foxtel, once the most popular pay TV provider in Australia and now evolved into streaming TV.
The service provides access to all of Foxtel’s content without the inconvenience of having to install a Foxtel box or signing up for an expensive lock-in subscription.
Instead, Foxtel Now requires no installation, does not require a lock-in contract and can be cancelled at any time.
What is Foxtel Now?
Foxtel Now is a streaming service that has evolved from pay TV service Foxtel’s digital catch-up service, Foxtel Go. It used to be called Foxtel Play and has been renamed as Foxtel Now.
Foxtel Now allows you to stream live TV, as well as provide you on demand access to over 70 live entertainment channels, including pop and lifestyle, drama, comedy, news and sports.
It has also embraced the design ethos of streaming TV with services like Netflix to bring its customers a sleek, user-friendly interface and HD streaming.
How much is Foxtel Now?
The amount you pay for your Foxtel Now subscription depends on how many monthly Foxtel Now packages you add onto your base Essentials subscription.
Pricing for Foxtel Now ranges from $35 per month for the Starter pack to $104 a month for the premium Ultimate All Packs option, which includes all add-ons, along with extras like the Kids pack.
If you’re looking for middle ground, the popular combo of Starter, Sports and Movies (Sports + Movies bundle) will set you back $84 per month while allowing you to watch a comprehensive selection of entertainment options.
Does Foxtel Now have a free trial?
If you want to find out if the service is right for you, then you can sign up for a no-obligation 10 day free trial which you can cancel at any time within this period and not pay a cent.
This will provide you with access to all the channel packs, allowing you to watch the full range of entertainment on offer.
At the end of the free trial period you’ll start getting billed monthly, using the payment details submitted when you registered for your account.
Foxtel Now offer
For a limited time, new customers can get the All Packs Ultimate Bundle for only $65/month for 12 months. Originally $104 monthly, this saves you as much as $39 per month for an entire year!
Sports streaming is another reason why the service proves more valuable especially this sports season in Australia, which makes it the best time to take advantage of this new offer. Gain exclusive access to Foxtel’s sports channels to watch AFL, NRL, Formula 1, and many more!
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What’s on Foxtel Now?
There’s a full suite of entertainment options available, including a massive on demand library of movies online, live TV, kids channels, drama, comedy, news and sports. You’ll also be able to watch some of the best TV shows out there thanks to Foxtel’s partnership with HBO.
Latest shows
To find out more about available programming, check out our guide for what’s on Foxtel Now or explore latest releases available to watch tonight.
Best dramas on Foxtel Now
Access to the most popular news channels, shows and series, including HBO and Foxtel originals, comes standard with the Essentials pack.
If you want to watch an even larger selection of drama shows you can add the Drama Extra pack to your subscription, which provides access to BBC First, UKTV, Fox Crime, Universal and Fox One. Here are just some of the best Foxtel Now shows you can stream instantly.
Comedy shows on Foxtel Now
You can watch both the latest and classic comedy shows on the Essentials pack, which includes the FOX Funny channel. If you want to add comedy movies to the mix, simply opt in for the Movies pack.
What sports can I watch on Foxtel Now
If you’re a sports fan, the Sport pack has you covered. This offers 12 dedicated sports streaming channels 24/7. Channels include Fox Sports, Fox League, Fox Cricket, ESPN 1 and 2. Coverage spans all AFL and NRL league action, MotoGP, Formula 1, Supercars and more.
Kids shows on Foxtel Now
Sign up to the premium All Packs subscription and you’ll get the Kids pack thrown in with the deal. The Kids add-on features only G and PG-rated content. It also gives kids their own home page packed with the most popular kids shows, including Paw Patrol, Ben 10, SpongeBob SquarePants and much more.
Action & adventure on Foxtel Now
You can instantly watch some of the world’s classic action and adventure films, as well as many of the latest releases you can’t wait to stream on demand. Check out some of the best Foxtel Now movies you can start watching today.
Horror & thriller on Foxtel Now
Every week you get access to blockbuster movies old and new. So grab your popcorn and soda and bring that cinematic experience to the comfort of your living room. If you’re a big fan of the horror or thriller genre, even better, because the streaming service happens to have plenty of those.
Documentaries on Foxtel Now
For fans of factual content, there are dozens of docos to stream instantly. Here are just some of them.
How to sign up for Foxtel Now?
If you’ve had bad experiences with the cost and complexity of installing pay TV services in the past, we have good news for you: signing up couldn’t be simpler.
All you need to do to start streaming is:
- Visit the website.
- Sign up for an account, which will allow you to access Foxtel channels.
- Sign in using a web browser or the Foxtel Now app.
- Start streaming.
You’ll be asked to provide payment details while registering. Foxtel will then initiate monthly billing for your subscription.
How much you pay for your subscription is based on the entertainment packs you choose.
As mentioned earlier, the cheapest package is the Starter pack, which provides access to the most popular lifestyle, comedy, reality, drama and news shows at $35 per month.
You can cancel or re-join, as well as add or remove packs, at any time. You’ll only pay for Foxtel’s content when and where you want to watch it.
Foxtel Now channels
The streaming service is the only way you can access Foxtel channels on your streaming devices, without the need for a traditional Foxtel subscription. All you need is an internet connection to begin streaming TV shows, movies, sports and more. The channels you can access will depend on the channel packs you’re subscribed to.
Below we elaborate the different channel packs and what specific channels are included in each bundle.
Starter
Starter is the base package. You’ll need to sign up for this bundle before you can add any premium channel packs. Some of the channels that are included are drama channels like Showcase, FOX8, as well as lifestyle and comedy channels such as Arena and LifeStyle.
For those who are into factual content, Starter also includes documentaries and some news channels, including CNN and BBC World News. The previously separate Drama Extra pack is also now included in the Starter package, adding channels like BBC UKTV, Foxtel One, and Universal into the mix.
Sport + Movies
Foxtel Now just simplified its entertainment packages by combining Starter, Sports, and Movies packs, culminating in the Sports + Movies bundle. This offers 30+ channels from the base Starter pack and 9 sports channels for watching over 50 of sporting events live and on demand. Some of these are FOX League, FOX Cricket, FOX Footy, ESPN 1-2 and more.
You also get 9 movie channels, including Movies Premiere, Movies Greats, and Movies Family, giving you access to blockbusters like Barbie, Oppenheimer, Wonka, and many more.
Ultimate
If you want everything in one bundle, there’s the Ultimate bundle or the All Packs. It’s got everything, plus the Docos and Kids packs.
You can also check all the channels below.
Full list of Foxtel Now channels by pack
Starter:
Channels included – Showcase, FOX8, Foxtel One, BBC UKTV, British, Universal, MainEvent UFC, Arena, Comedy, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Home, Lifestyle Food, BoxSets, TLC, Famous, Classics, Real Life, W Channel, MTV Hits, MTV 80s, Club MTV, CMT, Nick Music, FOX Sports News, Sky News, Sky News UK, FOX News Channel, CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, Bloomberg Television, Sky 1, Sky 2
Highlights – The Penguin, House of the Dragon, The Twelve, The Last of Us, FBOY Island Australia, Industry, Colin from Accounts
Sports:
Channels Included – FOX CRICKET, FOX LEAGUE, FOX SPORTS 503, FOX SPORTS 505, FOX SPORTS 506, FOX FOOTY, FOX SPORTS MORE, ESPN, ESPN2
Highlights – NBA, US Open Golf, NRL, AFL, MotoGP, F1, Cricket, Supercars, UFC
Movies:
Channels Included – Movies Premiere, Movies Action, Movies Comedy, Movies Drama, Movies Family, Movies Greats, Movies Hits, Movies Romance
Highlights – Anyone But You, Barbie, Oppenheimer, Five Nights at Freddy’s, The Holdovers, Uproar
Docos:
Channels Included – Discovery, Discovery Turbo, Animal Planet, Real Crime, Real History, ID
Highlights – Blowing Up History, Naked and Afraid, Homicide Hunter, Evil Lives Here, Finding Bigfoot
Kids:
Channels Included – Cartoon Network, DreamWorks, Boomerang
Highlights – Total DramaRama, Gabby’s Dollhouse, Jessica’s Big Little World, Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight
Foxtel Now usability
It features an intuitive menu that allows you to browse its content using four menu options. The customised home screen features recommendations and watch history based on your usage.
The other menu items link to live TV feeds, on demand content and kids content. Content on these feeds is organised by theme, such as best of HBO and Foxtel Originals.
You are also able to add any content to a future watch list.
However, a couple of user experience issues are present. The most notable being the ads that play before your content begins streaming, which adds friction to the viewing experience.
Apart from a dedicated kids section on the All Packs subscription, individual user profiles are not available, which means household members don’t benefit from a customised user experience.
Also, it requires account holders to register devices on the app, allowing up to five devices. While this is not the only streaming service to require device registration, it does limit your flexibility when moving between devices.
What’s the streaming quality like?
All channels are available in standard definition, while a smaller selection of channels are streamed in in 720p High Definition.
To stream HD content, you’ll need to stream using the Google Chrome browser on PC or Mac or a compatible streaming box. HD content is also available on Chromecast.
Streaming quality will also be determined by the speed of your Internet connection and the resolution of your viewing device.
A 3Mbps Internet connection is recommended for streaming at standard definition, while a 7Mbps connection is optimal for HD viewing.
How does Foxtel Now compare to other streaming services?
The entertainment streaming space in Australia is becoming increasingly crowded; however, there is no other Australian streaming provider that can match the streaming service’s breadth and variety of content.
However, services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video compete in specific entertainment niches, like TV shows and movies, and typically charge lower subscription rates.
Foxtel Now vs Netflix, Stan, and Prime Video
Netflix is a popular option for streaming TV shows, movies and kids content, but does not provide extensive access to HBO’s catalogue and does not include sports or news.
Like Netflix, Amazon Prime has low subscription fees and offers unique content commissioned by the channel along with popular TV shows, movies and programming for kids.
However, Prime Video’s entertainment selection is far from comprehensive and leave sports fans high and dry.
Meanwhile, streaming service Stan is Australia’s answer to Netflix, providing a mix of drama, movies, kids entertainment and limited sports coverage.
Stan is cost effective but doesn’t offer comparable access to the HBO content or the variety of live sport you can watch on Foxtel Now.
Foxtel Now compared to BINGE
Streaming service BINGE is owned by the same parent company as Foxtel Now, and therefore offers a similar selection of drama content, albeit with fewer live channels.
The monthly fee is less than half of the Starter subscription, and if drama is all you are after, you won’t be paying for content you don’t watch.
Foxtel Now compared to Foxtel
From sport to drama, there is a lot of overlap between the two, and both services share the same on-demand content library via the Foxtel Go app. However, there are differences between the way they structure their content and add-on packs.
The biggest difference is the way the content is delivered. Foxtel requires the installation of a satellite system to view live channels, while its streaming counterpart serves all its content online.
However, the arrival of the new iQ5 changes that since the new iQ box eliminates the need for a satellite installation. Customers with the iQ5 can now watch content through their internet connection, which is similar to how you can stream content using Foxtel Now.
Another major difference between the two is that Foxtel encourages its users to opt into a lock-in contract if they want to benefit from lower monthly fees and reduced setup costs. By comparison Foxtel’s streaming version emphasises flexibility and the ability to jump on and off the service at any time.
Devices to watch Foxtel Now with
You can watch stream content in Australia on several smart TVs. If you don’t have a smart TV you can use a streaming box, such as the Foxtel Now box to stream Foxtel content.
To ensure high-quality streaming, Apple TV is one of the best devices you can use.
Do I need the Foxtel iQ box for Foxtel Now?
Content can be streamed via a wide range of compatible devices without needing Foxtel’s iQ box. It is a separate standalone subscription that offers another way to watch your favourite shows on the big screen with the use of streaming devices mentioned above.
Can you Chromecast Foxtel Go?
It can also be streamed to your smart TV using Chromecast, which is supported by iOS and Android devices as well as PC/laptop web browsers. With Google Chromecast, you’re able to cast Foxtel GO from your smartphone or tablet so you can stream its content on your big screen TV.
Finally, Android and iOS apps are available for mobile devices, and you can stream content from your browser on any Internet-connected device.
Check out the complete list of compatible devices in the list below:
Devices supported on Foxtel Now
- Foxtel Now Box: Yes
- Sony Android TV: Yes – OS Android 8 – Android 12
- iOS Mobiles/Tablets: Yes – Via Foxtel Go app (iOS 9.35 or above)
- Android Mobiles/Tablets: Yes – Via
native app (Lollipop 5.0 or above) - PC/Mac: Yes – Windows devices running Windows 7 and above. Mac devices running OS X Yosemite 10.10 and above
- Google Chromecast: Yes – Via casting
- Google Nest: Yes – on Foxtel Go via a compatible Chromecast device connected or built-in to your TV
- Apple TV: Yes – Via AirPlay
- Gaming consoles: Yes – PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 Pro (Foxtel Play on PlayStation 3)
- Samsung Smart TVs: Yes – Select 2017 models and above, running on Tizen 3.0 or above. (Foxtel Play on 2015 and 2016 models)
- LG Smart TVs: Yes – Select 2017-2022 models, running webOS 3.5 or above
- Hisense Smart TVs: Yes – Select 2019 – 2020 models
- Shield TV: Yes – on Shield TV and Shield TV Pro
What is the Foxtel iQ5?
You might have heard about the Foxtel iQ4, however, this hardware technology has now been replaced by the Foxtel iQ5 box. While it is initially offered to only select customers this year, the new iQ5 became widely available at the beginning of 2022.
The main difference being that you can select its setup via satellite or your internet connection. Fundamentally, you can now watch Foxtel with the Foxtel iQ5 through your internet connection – this is similar to what you can do with the Foxtel Now box. However, it doesn’t allow recording of sports and your favourite shows, but the Foxtel iQ5 still can!
The box records two internet channels and one free to air channel at the same time while allowing you to watch a fourth. So if you can’t or don’t want to install a Foxtel satellite dish on your roof (and who would!), then the iQ5 connects through your broadband connection while allowing you to watch Foxtel’s 4K channels.
Foxtel Now contact number
If you need to get in touch with customer service, call 131 999 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm from Monday to Sunday. They’ll be happy to assist you with account, billing,
What people are asking about Foxtel Now
A way to watch Foxtel’s live channels and stream on demand without needing the installation of a satellite dish, Foxtel Now uses broadband internet streaming for its channels, and is watched via an app that’s available both for your TV and your mobile devices.
You can have up to five devices registered to use Foxtel Now at any one time, and you can stream on any two of those at the same time. You can remove and add devices to the list as often as you like.
Unlike some other streaming services, Foxtel Now’s mobile apps don’t allow downloading content for offline viewing. However, almost all shows seen on Foxtel Now’s channels can be streamed on demand at any time.
No – because Foxtel Now’s channel content is almost all available to stream on demand at any time after it’s aired, there is no need for a recording feature.
Foxtel Go is the app that all Foxtel customers use for viewing live channels and streaming on mobile phones and tablets – sign in with your Foxtel account and all your channels and content will be there for you. Foxtel Now is a separate standalone subscription. Essentially, Foxtel Now is the service, and Foxtel Go is one way of accessing it.
There’s a total of 75 channels available on Foxtel Now, sorted into three major bundles. STARTER (the entry level pack) contains drama, comedy, news, and lifestyle channels while SPORTS + MOVIES offer movie and sports channels in addition to the Starter bundle. Kids and Docos packs are added when you subscribe to the ULTIMATE bundle, which has all the 75 channels.
All subscribers to Foxtel Now get the base starter channel pack, called Starter by default. This pack contains several premium drama channels, comedy, documentary and lifestyle channels, and a range of general channels covering music, news and shopping.
While you can watch your Foxtel Now channels anywhere in Australia – making it the ideal TV service for frequent travellers – because of rights restrictions it can’t be used while you’re overseas. If you’re travelling outside Australia for an extended period, you can pause your subscription.
At the moment, Foxtel Now is only available in high definition for both linear channels and on-demand streaming. While 4K streaming isn’t available at the moment, Foxtel has suggested it might be a feature seen in the future.
All Foxtel Now subscribers start with the base Starter pack at $35/month, the Sports + Movies for $84/month, and finally, the Ultimate bundle for $104/month. Foxtel Now bundles are often offered with discounts for 12 months.
Foxtel Now and the Foxtel Go app can be used with any TV that can be connected to streaming boxes like the Foxtel Now box. You can also connect a Chromecast device to your TV, which will allow you to stream to your TV from your laptop/PC or mobile phone. The Foxtel Now app and Foxtel Go app will also be available in the app store on most Smart TVs.
Foxtel Now subscribers can update their payment details at any time. Simply log into your account and click on ‘My billing details’ in the ‘My account’ section. Note that this option is not available on Foxtel Now apps and must be done using a web browser.
Foxtel Now’s packs give Foxtel Now subscribers the flexibility to add and remove content any time. To modify your subscription login to your account on a web browser, then navigate to ‘My account’ and select the ‘Change my package’. The top right of the screen will show a ‘My cart’ bar. You can use this to add packs to your cart or to remove them. Once done, click ‘Update my package’. Changes to your content will take an hour or two to reflect.
Foxtel Now subscribers can change or reset their passwords by visiting www.foxtelnow.com.au/myaccount on a web browser. Once there, click on the ‘Forgot your password?’ link below the login fields and follow the prompts to reset your password.
Without the inconvenience of a lock in contract, you can cancel your membership at any time. To cancel your membership, visit www.foxtelnow.com.au/myaccount on a web browser and click on the ‘Cancel membership’ option.