Foxtel’s foray into the world of Android TV is progressing, with their Foxtel Now box, previously only available online through their website, now available to purchase from JB Hifi stores and online for $99.
The box is available at over 190 JB Hifi stores from today Foxtel has said, offering users the option to stream content from Foxtel’s own Now streaming services as well as free-to-air streaming apps, ABC iview, PLUS7 and tenplay and Streaming Video On Demand service Stan.
The Foxtel Now service offers a range of content including NRL, AFL, WAFL, F1, V8s, A-League, Super Rugby and more, live, ad-break free and in HD for the sports fans. TV viewers will see a range of new content hitting the service over the next few months including the latest season of The Walking Dead hitting screens on February 26th, while the second season of Westworld is coming in April.
Foxtel’s pricing for the Now service looks like this
Foxtel Now offers five entry level packs to match viewers’ interests including Drama and Pop packs priced at $15 per month each or $25 for both. Lifestyle, Docos and Kids packs are available at $10 per month each. Foxtel Now’s Movies pack is available for $20 per month in addition to an entry level pack and the Sports pack is available for an extra $29* per month, meaning Sports lovers can now get access to Foxtel’s incredible sports programming for a little as $39 per month and movies for as little as $30 per month.
The box features built-in Chromecast functionality which lets you ‘cast’ your movies, photos and music from compatible apps, although it’s notable that Netflix is not able to be cast, or installed on the box – nor is Kodi, an app Foxtel has singled out as being denied access to the box, omissions pointed out by Jason in his review of the Foxtel Now box. As an Android TV device there is a vast array of apps available on the Google Play Store which is installed on the Foxtel Now box.
Andy Lark, Foxtel CMO, said of the expansion to JB Hifi and retail stores:
We were thrilled to bring subscribers a new way to stream Foxtel Now when we launched our Foxtel Now box late last year as part of our efforts to make accessing our award-winning streamed content smoother than ever. Today we’re also making getting your hands on a Foxtel Now box even easier and we are excited to see it hit the shelves at one of Australia’s premier lifestyle electronics retailers, JB H-Fi.
Specs for the Foxtel Now box include:
- Out of the box industrial design
- Android TV certified
- OTT and Live TV services with optional Broadcast TV services
- 4K Ultra HD: HEVC/VP9 Ultra HD 2160p/60 video
- Wireless Connectivity: Dual band IEEE 802.11n 2.4 GHz (2×2) and IEEE 802.11ac 5 GHz (2×2) interfaces
- Media sharing functions using a USB 3.0 port for plugging of HDD
- Enhanced user experience with 3D graphics
- Future-proof quad core CPU ready for gaming services
- Bluetooth Low Energy remote with voice control
Full details on the Foxtel Now service can be viewed on their website, where you’ll also find the Foxtel Now box for sale – or you can head over to JB Hifi’s website to check it out.
Update: We’ve reached out to Foxtel regarding the lack of Netflix on the Foxtel Now box and they’ve advised they are ‘in talks with Netflix’. We can only hope that’s resolved in the near future.
I won’t be happy until they let me install the Foxtel Now app on my Sony Android TV. I know I can cast to it, but I would rather it just run on the TV.
If they are going to continue to block access to the likes of Netflix and Kodi on this android TV box, then they need to cut it’s price. Somewhere nearer $25 is more credible, comparing it to the NowTV box UK offering. Maybe up to $50 inc some 4K goodies, but $100 is just too overpriced for a purposely hobbled box.