Foxtel unlocks huge amount of content as coronavirus home isolation boosts demand

Drama, entertainment, lifestyle, docos, reality and Kids TV channels, plus on-demand libraries available to all subscribers.

Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany. Picture: Britta Campion

Foxtel will unlock a huge amount of its content including drama, entertainment and documentaries for no extra charge to all subscribers, as well as unlimited data to its broadband customers in a bid to boost morale during forced isolation.

The subscription and streaming service has experienced an enormous increase in demand and ratings since the outbreak of COVID-19, and Foxtel Group chief executive Patrick Delany described it as “the natural thing to do.”

“We’re trying to make it easier for Australians to settle in with their families and stay at home during this difficult time of heightened anxiety.”

From Thursday, Foxtel will aim to ease the burden on families stuck in isolation during the COVID-19 outbreak by making their full range of drama, entertainment, lifestyle, documentaries, reality and Kids TV channels and on demand libraries available to all subscribers no matter what package they hold.

“We have heard from our customers that during these challenging times, one of the things that really makes a difference is being able to keep the whole family entertained, informed and connected as they settle in at home.

“We’re all in this together and we want them to know that Foxtel is there for them. These initiatives provide customers with an even better entertainment experience in their homes with more content, access on more screens and more data, all at no extra charge.”

All Foxtel customers will now also have access to Multiscreen, which allows two additional devices at the same time including casting the Foxtel GO4 app to additional TVs. Foxtel Now customers will have Drama Extra, Docos, Pop, Lifestyle and Kids added to their Essentials, Pop or Lifestyle packs.

Foxtel Broadband and Foxtel nbn customers will now be given unlimited data allowances to allow more home streaming and internet services required for the mass of Australians now working remotely.

It will be available to all Foxtel customers, including those who subscribe through Telstra and Optus.

Sky News has set up a COVID-19 channel during the crisis which will be available along with all other international news channels including BBC, Fox News, CNBC and Bloomberg Television.

Mr Delany said the Foxtel satellite which enabled viewing on the iQ4 was a huge bonus at a time of enormous internet demand.

“It’s been a great lesson in how well the satellite has been going, it’s making it a lot easier than being fully reliant on streaming data, it has really come into its own.”

Despite the complete shut down of sports globally and the impact it is having on Fox Sports and its sports streamer KAYO, Mr Delany said the Fox Sports and its partners like ESPN could still offer classic matches and sports documentaries.

“It’s amazing but despite the global shut down of sport there’s still this huge demand, and nobody has the back catalogue we have.”