Streaming services are awesome. The public has spoken on that one. Millions in Australia are have taken up subscriptions to Netflix, Stan, Disney+, Prime Video, BINGE, Foxtel Now and smaller services like hayu and DocPlay in an incredibly short span of time. Streaming TV is now mainstream, and we’re all enjoying the freedom and choice it provides. But what if you want to watch on the big screen and don’t have a smart TV? No worries, there are a few other ways to watch.
There’s only one potential annoyance about streaming TV. It’s an internet-connected thing. And for many people, the very thing they want to watch TV shows and movies on – their TV – isn’t an internet-connected device.
Modern “smart” TVs are basically broadband-connected computers with a great big screen at the front. They do a great job of running apps to stream Netflix, Stan, and other services with ease as long as you connect them to your home internet. Which is almost always easy, thanks to built-in Wi-Fi.
But what if you’re one of those people that’s got a superb big screen TV that still does the job perfectly? After all, a really good big-screen TV can cost thousands of dollars. It’s not a throwaway purchase, and if you’re perfectly happy with it for high definition free-to-air and Blu-ray then there’s really no point in wasting your investment just to go “smart.” Especially not when you can be smarter and use one of the many low cost alternatives to get your streaming services onto your screen in pristine HD.
How to Stream Stan, Netflix and Foxtel Now without a Smart TV
So, what streaming TV options do you have, and how much are they going to set you back? Let’s look at some of the most popular choices currently on the market.
The HDMI Cable
If your desktop or laptop PC has a HDMI socket on it, this is your ticket to easy streaming to your TV. Simply buy a cable long enough to get from your computer to your TV. Then, use either the streaming service apps (Netflix and Stan, for example, have free apps on the Windows store, as does Amazon Prime Video) or your web browser to send your computer’s video to your big-screen TV. It does lack some of the niceties of devices – such as remote controls – but a wireless mouse can go some way towards solving that. However, it’ll cost you only $10-20. Practical and low-cost.
Apple TV
Arguably the king of the low-profile streaming device for years now, Apple TV is popular because it just works, and works well. This tiny box is now in its fifth generation, which added 4K and HDR streaming to the device. You can also download apps just like you would on your phone. And that means almost every major streaming service is supported, including Netflix, Stan, Disney+, BINGE, DocPlay, YouTube, hayu – the list is long, with more streaming services regularly arriving on the platform. It’s a slick, fast device that’s only let down slightly by its touch-sensitive remote control, which is a love-it-or-hate-it proposition. It’s also pretty expensive, at around $249 for the 4K version – but well worth it.
Telstra TV 3
Branded as Telstra inside and out, the latest Telstra TV is more powerful than ever. And there’s a reason people love it so much: it’s simple, small, easy to use, has a great remote, and it’s very practical. Telstra’s version of it is locked down to the apps the telco chooses to provide. Hence, you get Netflix, Stan, BINGE, Foxtel Now, DocPlay, Telstra TV Box Office (formerly Bigpond Movies) and a handful of other options. But at $216 – and free if you take up some Telstra plans – it’s a bargain, and will get your big screen TV hooked up to HD streaming with almost no fuss at all.
Foxtel Now Box
Another addition to your streaming device option would be the Foxtel Now Box. It’s an easy way to stream Foxtel Now and other streaming apps, like YouTube, Netflix and Stan, directly to your TV. There’s no installation required so you can start streaming your favourite shows on the big screen whenever. At only $99, it serves as an excellent alternative to experience fuss-free viewing — simply plug it in and start watching. You don’t need a Foxtel Now subscription to enjoy its features, just as long as you have a Foxtel Now login. But to make the most out of your box, you can subscribe to Foxtel Now’s Essentials pack at only $25/month. That already gives you access to the hottest shows like Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead. Don’t need a Foxtel Now subscription? No worries. You can still use the box to access the Google Play Store, YouTube, free to air channels, and other apps.
Google Chromecast
This amazing little device started off life as something that looked like an oversized USB stick. It now comes in three options for streaming video, both in the form of tiny plastic discs with an HDMI connection linking them to your TV. You can choose from the standard Chromecast, the Ultra version or the new Google TV version – the difference being that the Ultra handles 4K video, and the Google TV one has a remote control and on-screen interface.
Once plugged into a spare HDMI port and connected to your Wi-Fi network (or Ethernet with the Ultra if you prefer), the device can be reached over your home network by a vast range of apps to stream video, audio, photos, and even mirror your PC or phone screen onto your TV. It’s not as seamless as using a dedicated device – you’ll always have to use your phone, tablet or PC to send video to your TV unless you’ve grabbed the new Google TV version – but it’s far more versatile.
Game Consoles
If you’re like millions of people out there, you may already have a game console plugged into your TV. But that innocuous game-playing device is also a compact computer that can download and run streaming apps. Exactly what’s available depends on which console you own, but Netflix and Stan are going to be there alongside Foxtel Now, Disney+, YouTube and a bunch of others. The only hold-out right now is the Nintendo Switch; expect to see streaming apps on it soon with Netflix leading the charge.
Other options
There’s an increasingly large range of Android-based streaming boxes available, and many of them are worthy of attention. The only problem? Many of the best aren’t available in Australia directly. You can easily order them online, as long as you’re willing to deal with the hassles of having to find a power adapter appropriate for Australia. And because of that, these devices really are best for tech enthusiasts. The Android TV platform they run is solid, fast and great to use – Sony and Philips TVs in Australia have it built in and nobody is complaining. But be aware that when buying one of these boxes, you’ll likely have to do some research first to make sure you can buy the right adapter to power it up.
Google’s latest Chromecast, though, also runs the latest version of Android TV and might be a real contender to the Apple TV 4K with its bargain $99 price tag.
FeaturedWhat can you watch on what?
All of the big streaming services – Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BINGE, Disney+ and Stan – are available on almost all platforms now so that no matter which device you choose, you’ll be good to go.
Stan, which has been streaming first-run TV shows and movies for over five years now, is about to add Stan Sport to its arsenal, an add-on that’ll give you access to exclusive live streams and on-demand viewing of sports such as Super Rugby and, it’s rumoured, grand slam tennis.
The rebranded Foxtel Now has since gone through upgrades to substantially improve
For overall coverage of streaming services on your TV, the Chromecast is where it’s at – unless you’re using the free-to-air streaming apps. Most of those don’t support Chromecast, so if free-to-air catch-up is important to you, head for the Apple TV or Telstra TV.
For more options on streaming, check out the table below:
Streaming TV & Movies Plans
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7-day free trial - Monthly
- No Lock-in Contract
- Stream on up to 4 devices
- Watch hundreds of shows and movies ad-free
- $9.99/mth
7-day free trial 
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7-day free trial- Standard Monthly
- No Lock-in Contract
- Exclusive content
- Stream in HD on up to two devices
- $10.99/mth
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New customers: 7-day free trial![]()
3 months free when you buy an eligible Apple device- Monthly
- No Lock-in Contract
- 4K HDR included
- Up to 6 simultaneous streams
- $12.99/mth
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7-day FREE Trial- Basic
- No Lock-in Contract
- SD or HD, stream on 2 devices
- Watch live Ashes, BBL, NBA + more
- $35/mth
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7-Day Free Trial - Basic
- No Lock-in Contract
- Stream in HD on a single device
- 25,000+ hours of the world's best shows & movies
- $10/mth
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10-Day FREE Trial- Starter
- No Lock-in Contract
- 30+ channels: Entertainment, Drama, Lifestyle, Comedy, and News
- Login on 5 devices and watch 2 at the same time
- $35/mth
- Standard Monthly
- No Lock-in Contract
- Stream in full HD & up to 5.1 audio
- Downloads on up to 10 devices
- $13.99/mth
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14-day free trial- Monthly Subscription
- No Lock-in Contract
- New docos added weekly
- Stream in HD, ad-free
- $8.99/mth
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30-day free trial- Monthly Subscription with Ads
- No Lock-in Contract
- Titles available in 4K
- Use 3 screens at the same time
- $9.99/mth
Last audited 6 December 2024
Worth It?
Streaming TV – whether it’s subscription-based like Netflix, Stan and Foxtel Now, or free with YouTube and the free to air services – is the future of television. Better, it’s already here, and it won’t cost you a fortune to get in on the action, either. With the Chromecast available for only $59 (frequently discounted), the Telstra TV 3 at $216 (or free with plans) and the Apple TV recently discounted to just $209, it’s easy to jump into the new world of TV when you want it.
