Are you after a Foxtel subscription, but for a cheaper price and without the installation hassle? Foxtel Now might be what you're looking for.
It's basically an online streaming service, but with Foxtel content and a Foxtel-style pricing scheme.
What is Foxtel Now?
Foxtel Now is the pay TV giant's answer to the increasing demand for online streaming. It's cheaper than a traditional Foxtel subscription, there are no contracts, and there's no installation required. All content is streamed online, as you might with Netflix, Stan, or any other online streaming service.
But unlike other streaming services, which provide access to their entire content library for a single monthly fee, Foxtel Now divides its content into 'packs'.
The packs give access to only a specific type of content like sport, drama TV, or movies. Much like a traditional Foxtel subscription, you need to take up a base starter pack, after which you can add extras like sports and movies.
How much is Foxtel Now?
Depending on your tastes, Foxtel Now could cost you between $25 and $104 per month. But every pack is commitment free, meaning you can change how much you pay on a month-to-month basis.
Content packs come in three types:
- Starter – this is the 'Essentials' pack, which can be bought solo
- Premium – can only be bought with the starter pack
- Exclusive – only available to customers subscribing to every single package via the 'All Packs' subscription.
Foxtel Now pricing vs. Foxtel
Foxtel Now is cheaper than regular Foxtel. On top of that, there's no installation fee or HFC cable requirement – all you need is an internet connection.
That said, regular Foxtel does have some content that Foxtel Now lacks, but the differences in titles can change between any given month and the next.
Foxtel Now has just one starter pack – Essentials ($25 per mont), which covers a range of popular TV shows and lifestyle channels, among other things. Essentials is included in the All Packs pricing, but must be added to the pricing of other packs.
Here are some popular examples of Foxtel Now's pre-made packages:
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Foxtel
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Foxtel
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Foxtel
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Foxtel
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Foxtel
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You can see for yourself how the plan pricing compares. Foxtel Now still requires a basic 'Plus' package for $70, but this price includes all its TV shows, whereas Foxtel Now charges an additional $10 for the 'Drama Extra' pack.
These are some of the regular Foxtel plans:
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Foxtel
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Foxtel
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Foxtel
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Foxtel
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Foxtel
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While the Foxtel Now website directs you towards pre-made pack combinations, you can build your own by combining the Essentials pack with any number of premium channel packs. There's no discount for choosing the pre-made packs (unless there's a deal going).
If you want to build your own Foxtel Now plan, the pack pricing is as follows:
- Essentials – $25 (required purchase)
- Sport – $29
- Movies – $20
- Drama Extra – $10
- All Packs – $104 (includes Essentials)
By way of comparison, the basic Foxtel Plus pack is $70 per month, versus $20 for Foxtel Now's basic Essentials pack. Sports on regular Foxtel is $30 (vs. $29 on Foxtel Now), and Movies $25 (vs $20).
Foxtel Now: What's in each pack?
At this point, you might be thinking it's hard to weigh up the value of a Foxtel Now pack without knowing what's included. Don't worry, we've got you.
What are the alternatives to Foxtel Now?
The most popular streaming alternatives to Foxtel Now right now are probable Netflix, Stan, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime and more. All are subscription streaming services, and you pay a single fee to access the full content library. They're all cheaper than Foxtel Now, but much of the content will be different.
Compare Australia's top streaming services below:
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Hayu
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Flash
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BritBox
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Prime Video
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Binge
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Link not supplied
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Paramount+
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Stan
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Link not supplied
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Apple TV+
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Disney+
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Netflix
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Link not supplied
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DAZN
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Foxtel Now
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Kayo Sports 
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Netflix is a popular choice in Australia and offers a vast array of content including plenty of movies, TV and an increasing array of exclusive Netflix Original TV shows. You won't find as many premium shows or new release movies as you will on Foxtel Now, but there's plenty of good stuff to keep you entertained.
Stan is a home-grown service offering a wide range of content, including originally-made TV shows and exclusive programming from the Showtime network. Price-wise, plans are on par with Netflix, starting from $10 per month.
Amazon Prime Video is still fairly new to the Aussie market, but prices start from a low $6.99 per month. The library is not as extensive as what you'll find on other services, but it does offer exclusive content. Prime Video is part of an Amazon Prime subscription, which also gives you benefits when shopping from Amazon's online Australian store.
Disney Plus is, as you may guess, Disney's own streaming service. Given the its penchant for absorbing other production companies, Disney Plus includes movies and TV shows from Disney, Marvel Studios, Star Wars, Pixar, National Geographic and Star.
While these are the main competitors to Foxtel Now, there are so many streaming services available in Australia these days.
Other Foxtel-owned streaming services
Foxtel owns a few other streaming services, which follow a more conventional subscription model to Foxtel and Foxtel Now.
Binge is Foxtel's closest competitor to Netflix. It doesn't have an identical library to Foxtel or Foxtel Now, but it does have a lot of the same titles. Binge also has some live channels covering crime, drama, documentaries and kids TV, which sets it apart from most other streaming services of this type.
Kayo is a sports streaming service – if you're only signed up to Foxtel for sports, this can save you a pretty penny because you don't have to pay for additional channels you might not want. Kay is also owned by Foxtel, which has streaming rights in Australia to a lot of your favourite leagues and sporting events.
Flash News is one of the cheaper Foxtel streaming services, and unsurprisingly so, given its niche focus. You can watch on-demand or livve content from multiple news sources around the world, including Sky News Australia, BBC World News, CNN, Al Jazeera, and more.
LifeStyle only has one plan option and is currently the cheapest Foxtel-owned streaming service around. Its content centres around property, reality and food TV, such as Selling Houses, The Great British Bake Off, and Goggle Box, among others.
Foxtel Now vs Foxtel Go
Despite their similar names, Foxtel Now and Foxtel Go aren't the same. The problem is Foxtel hasn't been great at distinguishing the two.
Foxtel Go
Foxtel Go is an app or website that lets you watch content you're subscribed to online, be it from a Foxtel Now or regular Foxtel subscription. Foxtel Go is how you wach Foxtel Now if you're viewing on iPhone, Android, Windows (via the Chrome browser), and macOS (via the Safari and Chrome browsers).
Foxtel Go works with:
- Macs, via the Safari and Chrome browsers by visiting watch.foxtel.com.au
- Windows PCs, via the Chrome browser by visiting watch.foxtel.com.au
- Android devices, via the Foxtel Go app
- iPhone/iPad, via the Foxtel Go app
- Chromecast, via the Foxtel Go app
- Apple TV, via Apple Airplay using the Foxtel Go app
To make things complicated, Foxtel Go is not the app you use to stream Foxtel Now via a smart TV, Telstra TV box, Playstation 4, or some other media streaming devices.
With Foxtel Go, you can only watch the content you're subscribed to. For example, you won't be able to watch regular Foxtel content just because you have Foxtel Now subscription, and vice versa.
Foxtel Now
Foxtel Now is the actual streaming service you sign up to. It's different from a regular Foxtel subscription, in that it doesn't require a cable connection or Foxtel box to be installed in your home – it's all online, like Netflix or any other streaming service.
While Foxtel Go is the name of the website and app for watching Foxtel Now on most devices, it's not that way for everything. If you watch via a smart TV, Telstra TV box, PlayStation 4 or some other media streaming devices, the app will likely be called Foxtel Now.
The streaming app can be called 'Foxtel Now' on some:
- Some smart TVs
- Some media streaming devices and set top boxes
- PlayStation 4
What devices does Foxtel Now work with?
Whether it be via the Foxtel Go or Foxtel Now apps, this service works on a wide range of devices.
Here is how Foxtel Now's streaming compatibility relates to other streaming services:
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| Chromecast | ** | *** | |||||||||
| Hubbl | |||||||||||
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| Xbox One | |||||||||||
| Xbox Series X |
* Foxtel Now is only available through Airplay, and not as a standalone app.
** Chromecast 1st Generation is no longer supported by Kayo. For optimal streaming using Chromecast, Kayo recommends Chromecast Ultra and latest 3rd generation.
*** Foxtel Now is streamed through the Foxtel GO app.
Legend
Streaming Device Compatibility
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Legend
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Netflix
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Stan
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Amazon Prime Video
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Disney +
You can register up to five devices with your Foxtel Now subscription and watch on up to two devices simultaneously. That means you could be in the lounge room binging White Lotus while the kids watch Bluey upstairs.
There are a couple of kinks with the Foxtel Go viewing experience. Unlike the Netflix app for mobile and tablet, the Foxtel Go mobile and tablet app doesn't allow you to download content for offline viewing. And unlike Netflix, Stan and Amazon Prime Video, Foxtel Go doesn't offer Ultra HD 4K resolution video. But this should only be noticeable if you're viewing on a very large screen.
While most TVs have a built-in ability to download apps and access streaming services, app support can be limited, menu systems can be clunky, and there's a decent chance your TV's operating system is long out of date, which can mean certain apps no longer work with it. This is where streaming devices come in handy.
With a streaming device, you can do more than just watch Foxtel Now. These devices connect to your TV and are capable of streaming content themselves. They can then be controlled by an included remote, your phone, and sometimes another device on your network like a computer or tablet.
You can catch up on ABC iView, watch free movies on SBS on Demand and even check out Netflix and Stan as well, depending on the media device.
Can you bundle Foxtel Now with internet?
Foxtel Now internet and phone bundles just don't exist.
While Telstra has bundles with Foxtel and the NBN, Foxtel Now packages are not part of this. Big T has shifted the focus more towards the organisation's dedicated streaming platforms Binge and Kayo – offering free trials or discounted rates for customers.
Best internet plans for Foxtel Now
Streaming TV and movies on your home internet – whether through Foxtel Now, Netflix or another service – can chew up a lot of data.
That's why we recommend getting a NBN plan with these features:
- Data: Unlimited
- Speed: NBN 50 or faster
Most internet plans these days are unlimited, so that's not an issue. As for speed, it's true that NBN 50 plans will get most households by. But NBN 100 plans can be similar in price to NBN 50 plans.
This is certainly the case for the fist six months, which most providers offer discounted pricing for. The cost differences between NBN 50 and NBN 100 can become larger after that six month discount period ends, however.
There are loads of plans like this in our database, covering all budgets. Here are just a few:
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#1
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Kogan Internet
Silver Unlimited
$59.90/mth
Min. cost $59.90
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#2
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MATE
Ripper nbn 50/20
$60/mth
Min. cost $60
Link not supplied
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#3
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Buddy Telco
Editor's Pick
Value nbn - Unlimited
$63/mth
Min. cost $63
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#4
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Moose NBN
nbn 50/20 Premium
$63.80/mth
Min. cost $63.80
Link not supplied
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#5
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Dodo
nbn50 Unlimited Plan
$68.90/mth
Min. cost $68.90
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#6
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Swoop
nbn® Home Everyday
$69/mth
Min. cost $69
Link not supplied
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#1
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SpinTel
Editor's Pick
NBN Unlimited Premium 100
$65/mth
Min. cost $65
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#2
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Tangerine Telecom
Speedy NBN
$65.90/mth
Min. cost $65.90
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#3
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Dodo
nbn100 Unlimited Plan
$73.90/mth
Min. cost $73.90
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#4
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Exetel
Family nbn100/20
$65.99/mth
Min. cost $65.99
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#5
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TPG
nbn Home Fast Unlimited Plan
$79.99/mth
Min. cost $79.99
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#6
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Optus
Optus Plus Everyday Fast nbn®
$89/mth
Min. cost $89
Link not supplied
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Trying to pick which streaming service you're going to get? Choosing between Netflix, Stan, Foxtel Now and Amazon Prime Video is not like choosing which car you want to buy, or choosing whether you want an iPhone or an Android.
This is not the type of decision you can be locked into and end up regretting.
Foxtel Now FAQs
What do I need to watch Foxtel Now?
- PC/Mac viewing – use the Google Chrome or Safari browser.
- TV viewing – use a Telstra TV, Foxtel Now Box, Google Chromecast, Apple Airplay (for Apple TV), Play Station 4, Play Station 3* or Xbox One*.
- Smartphone/tablet viewing – download the free Foxtel Now app.
- Smart TV viewing – a Foxtel Now app, which may be labelled Foxtel Play, is available on smart TVs made by Samsung (2012 onwards), Sony (2014 onwards) and LG (selected models, 2013 onwards).
- Foxtel Now Box
Can I watch Foxtel Now on any TV?
Yes. If your TV has an HDMI port (pretty much any TV sold in the last decade would) then you can definitely use it to watch Foxtel Now. But you will need to do a little set-up and maybe buy some equipment.
You can use the HDMI port to connect a Google Chromecast, Apple Airplay (for Apple TV),Telstra TV, Foxtel Now Box, or PlayStation 4. Alternatively, you can use an HDMI cable to connect your Mac or PC computer, your tablet or even your smartphone (with an adaptor or specially designed cable).
How do I update my Foxtel Now payment details?
Log in to foxtelnow.com.au/myaccount and click on My billing details and then Edit.
These changes can't be made using the Foxtel Now mobile, tablet, streaming device or smart TV apps.
How do I change which Foxtel Now packs I've subscribed to?
Log in to foxtelnow.com.au/myaccount and click Update package. You can click Add under any pack, or the X next to any pack to remove it. Once you're done, click on Update my package.
The package change should happen immediately and your new monthly charge will be displayed.
You can change your pack at any time during your subscription, including mid-month, but you can only do so once per billing period.
How can I reset my Foxtel Now password?
Log in to foxtel.com.au/now/login/forgot-password.html and enter the email address you use for your Foxtel Now account. Click Send me a reset link, which you'll receive via email.
Go to your email inbox and open the link provided, then follow the prompts.
These changes can't be made using the Foxtel Now mobile, tablet, streaming device or smart TV apps.
How can I cancel my Foxtel Now subscription?
Log in to foxtelnow.com.au/myaccount and click on Cancel Subscription, then Yes, Cancel. After selecting your reason for cancelling, you'll need to click Cancel my membership to complete the cancellation.
Can I watch Foxtel Now on more than one device at once?
Yes. Foxtel Now allows you to use up to two devices simultaneously with your subscription, and to have up to five devices registered.
Does Foxtel Now offer a free trial?
Yes, Foxtel Now offers a free 10 day trial.
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