Foxtel unveils its new Hubbl TV technology to make TV viewing much smoother

Chief executive officer Patrick Delany has revealed the real name of ‘Project Magneto’ and details of how it will significantly transform TV and streaming viewing experiences.

Hubbl has been revealed as the name of Foxtel Group’s highly-anticipated Project Magneto which will bring together paid and free streaming entertainment in the one user interface.

Announced at Foxtel’s Upfronts event in Sydney on Thursday night, Hubbl, which the details of have remained under wraps for months until now, will allow consumers to access one user interface and prevent them from having to jump in and out of apps to hunt for new content.

Foxtel Group and Hubbl chief executive officer Patrick Delany said the new technology – which will be launched in Australia in the coming months – will make it a much smoother experience for millions of viewers who manage multiple content subscriptions.

“We all love the explosion of choice that streaming has delivered us over the past few years,” he said.

“But there is no doubt we are all experiencing the same frustrations: having to go in and out of apps, keeping track of show recommendations, remembering what we started but did not finish watching and who in the family is paying for what.

“Hubbl solves these frustrations.”

Hubbl will be rolled out via an entertainment operating system which will be available to consumers on two different devices and the technology will continue to be developed via regular software updates without needing a new device.

It has been backed by global players including Comcast USA and Sky UK and will allow searching for content – both free and paid – to be much easier and also allow viewers to pick up watching content where it was left off.

Hubbl, which is a small device that can be plugged in any compatible TV, can also be viewed use Hubbl Glass, a world-class TV that has a built-in sound bar and requires an internet connection and a power cord to operate.

Hubbl is owned by Foxtel which is 65 per cent owned by News Corp, publisher of The Australian.

Mr Delany said the technology will help transform TV viewing experiences.

“Hubbl is the next quantum leap in entertainment technology and is the solution to a complex

Australian streaming landscape caused by the fabulous explosion of choice in streaming services available to Australians,” he said.

“Hubbl is like nothing in the market – ‘it is TV and streaming made easy’ – seamlessly integrating world-leading technology with a purpose-built design and unrivalled app integration that sets it well ahead of the curve.

“It has been built with Australian consumers in mind, effortlessly fusing free and paid

entertainment and sport from apps, channels and the internet into one seamless user experience

– delivered via Hubbl Hub or a world leading TV, Hubbl Glass.

“It will deliver a frictionless paid and free entertainment environment, and we believe will become the heart of the home for millions of Australians.”

Details of app partners and other features will be released in the coming months.