New subscription TV operator Fetch TV, in partnership with local ISP iiNet, is set to cause further problems for Foxtel with the launch of a low cost $14.95 a month streamlined version of Fetch TV that will be made available to over 350,000 iiNet customers regardless of broadband speeds.
The new service will also be made available to over 113,000 AAPT broadband customers who are currently being integrated into the iiNet operation following the acquisition of AAPT by iiNet earlier this year.
According to iiNet, customers who take up the offer will get access to the latest release movies from major Hollywood studios and access to all local digital free to air channels, and a set top box with one terabyte of storage.
“The new iiNet Fetch TV service means all our customers can now access movies on demand and quota-free. Coupled with Fetch TV’s state-of-the-art set top box, we think this makes compelling value for only $14.95 a month,” said iiNet’s Chief Technology Officer, Greg Bader.
“With three digital tuners and one terabyte of storage, it is possible to record two free-to-air TV channels while watching a third, there’s enough memory to store hours of your favourite shows.”
“iiNet customers can access the MoviePlex service, which has a huge array of the latest releases and library movies from the major Hollywood and independent studios” Bader said.
Foxtel, who despite a 15 year monopoly have been rejected by over 75% of Australians, due primarily to the high cost of their subscription TV service is now looking to launch a Foxtel Lite service in an effort to compete with the likes of Fetch TV and Telstra’s T Box.
The service, if implemented, will be made available on the Telstra T Box and offered to TV manufacturers.
In some offerings Foxtel Lite will be based around a software program that eliminates the need for a Foxtel box. Instead content will be streamed over a broadband network or ADSL line.
Observers claim that a low cost Foxtel offering could create problems for the subscription TV company who currently has 1.5 million customers who are paying a premium for their service.
To coincide with the launch of iiNet’s Fetch TV 1 service the company has waived the $99 set up fee for all new Fetch TV subscriptions. For a monthly subscription of $14.95 (fetchtv1), or $29.95 (fetchtv2) iiNet customers can join the home entertainment revolution the company said.
More information about iiNet’s fetchtv is available at http://www.iinet.net.au/fetchtv/
