Coming from the major Aussie cable giant, Foxtel Now was launched in 2013 to give customers access to their favourite on-demand content from their smartphones or portable devices.
Foxtel Now has gone through numerous changes in the past decade, including a name change (it was called Foxtel Play at launch), the addition of HD video playback and significant price hikes. Nonetheless, the service has remained an effective way to stream some of the best TV shows thanks to its exclusive channels and fast-tracked movies.
In fact, you no longer need to be an existing Foxtel customer to sign up for the streaming platform, making it easier to access on-demand content and live TV without needing multiple subscriptions.
We’ve put together this comprehensive guide to Foxtel Now to help you decide if it’s worth putting your cash down for. We’ve included information on its plans, the prices you’ll pay for each and how to choose the best add-on pack for your needs.
If, on the other hand, you’d prefer to get an overall look at all the platforms, head to our dedicated page on the price comparisons across streaming services in Australia, or check out what we think are the best streaming services in Australia. And if you're looking for some killer recommendations of what to watch tonight, our continuously updated guide is sure to have something you'll enjoy.
Foxtel Now Australia plans and prices
Foxtel Now delivers live TV channels, blockbuster movies and on-demand content that you can download on up to five devices. All Foxtel Now plans also come with two simultaneous HD streams. At the time of publishing, the platform offers new customers a 10-day free trial that you can cancel anytime.
Upon sign-up, you’ll have three options to choose from: the Ultimate Bundle, the Sports + Movies plan, and the Starter Bundle.
Much like its cable packages, Foxtel Now wants users to customise their experience based on their interests. During the trial, you can sign up for the Ultimate Bundle plan, which gives you access to everything, but you are more than welcome to pick and choose your channels after it ends.
Foxtel Now offers three monthly starter plans:
Starter Bundle | AU$35 p/m
Movies + Sport bundle | AU$84 p/m
Ultimate Bundle | AU$104 p/m
Starter Bundle
This pack includes several movie hubs and unlimited access to 46 live channels, including the compulsory Pop and Lifestyle starter pack. It has more than 1000 on-demand movies, and because of that, it has a monthly price of AU$35.
Sports + Movies
Again, similar to the movie plan above, this pack contains unlimited access to over 30 lifestyle channels and 50 live sports to stream. You can watch sports 24/7 with Fox Sports, Fox Footy and ESPN. This plan adds AU$49 p/m to the starter plan, costing you AU$84 p/m.
Ultimate Bundle
The All Packs plan is undoubtedly the most expensive Foxtel Now offering. Currently, the plan costs AU$65 p/m under its introductory offer for new customers. However, keep in mind that the plan will increase its RRP of a mammoth AU$104 p/m after the first 12 months, costing around AU$1,248 annually. To put that annual subscription amount in perspective, it’s about the same price as a 12-month NBN 1000 plan.
How to pick the right plan for your needs
Typically, choosing the right streaming plan for your needs comes down to the number of screens and streaming resolution. For Foxtel Now, on the other hand, there’s more to consider.
All plans come with a standard of five devices and two simultaneous streams, but the notable contender is the breadth of content on offer. For some, the starter plan may satisfy their entertainment needs, while others may want to watch a new film or live sports more often.
Regardless of your plan, one subscription will suffice for any household size. However, it’s worth mentioning that you cannot create separate user profiles on your subscription, but you can switch back and forth between kids' shows and grown-up TV.
Are there ways to save on subscription costs?
Currently, there is no way to save on subscription costs for Foxtel Now. There is an introductory offer for the Ultimate Bundle, which is discounted to AU$65p/m. However, this plan will increase to the RRP of AU$104p/m after the first 12 months.
How does Foxtel Now pricing compare to other streaming services?
There’s no denying that Foxtel Now is the most expensive streaming subscription in Australia right now, even with any introductory offer in mind. Not to mention a vast majority of Foxtel Now’s catalogue can be found on other streaming platforms, such as Stan, Max and Netflix.
Foxtel Now’s lowest price point is a AU$10 more than Netflix’s premium offering, at AU$35p/m and AU$420 annually, which is massive for a singular streaming service.
How does Foxtel Now's content catalogue compare?
Foxtel Now offers users a selection of TV channels and programs they may not be able to stream anywhere else. In terms of content, the streamer is home to a massive 3,084 titles, which is made up of 1,829 movies and 1,255 television shows. This ranks the service in third place overall, following behind Netflix's 7,334 titles and Prime Video's 9,711 accolades.
Notably, the platform offers an extensive range of on-demand blockbuster movies and Foxtel Now streamlines shows from major international TV giants. The cable streamer also fast-tracks new movies and shows, with a huge back catalogue to peruse from.
With access to Lifestyle-branded channels, it’s easy to binge-watch a series of your favourite guilty pleasure reality shows on Foxtel Now. These could include the Vanderpump franchises, 90-Day Fiance and its endless spin-offs, and the global editions of the home renovation show Love It or List It.
That said, if you’re mainly looking for a place to stream the latest HBO shows, like True Detective: Night Country and The Last of Us, you'll need to sign up for Max. Foxtel and Foxtel Now have been stripped of HBO content with the streamer's recent launch. However, Max is a much more affordable option, starting at only AU$7.99p/m for an ad-supported plan, so it could be worth a switch if you're keen for an HBO fix.
Has the Foxtel Now price increased over time?
Since its introduction, Foxtel Now has increased by a massive AU$15 across all plan packs and has reinvented offerings.
In 2013, the platform cost AU$10 for kids, documentary and lifestyle packs, and AU$15p/m for drama and entertainment offerings. Now, the streamer’s monthly minimum cost is AU$35, and its plans resemble that of its offline cable TV packages.
Is a Foxtel Now subscription worth it?
If you’ve gotten this far, you’re probably still considering whether a Foxtel Now subscription is worth your hard-earned cash. Here’s what we suggest.
Foxtel Now offers an enormous content library and almost rivals Netflix in that vein. However, we don’t feel we can recommend an ongoing subscription to the service, mainly due to its hefty price tag.
As we’ve mentioned above, Foxtel Now is the most expensive streamer in Australia, and its monthly cost for the Ultimate Bundle could fund at least four premium subscriptions to different services. A significant portion of the platform’s library can be found elsewhere (and for much, much cheaper) on other services, too, such as Max, Netflix and Stan. So, if you can find what you’re looking for on a platform you already subscribe to, signing up may be completely unnecessary.
At the end of the day, it’s up to you how you want to spend your moolah, so if you’re thinking of cancelling your subscription, we have a handy guide on how to cancel Foxtel Now.
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