Mike Bantick
Wednesday, 22 April 2009 08:11
Opinion and Analysis
Page 1 of 2
There are big moves happening at cable TV provider Foxtel. In order to stay afloat against increasing competition, Foxtel have announced a new online facility featuring a facility for remote programming your Foxtel IQ or IQ2. The provider has also expanded their Video On Demand service, expect to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button on the same day as the DVD and Blu-Ray release.
There are many entertainment options in today’s fast paced world. Consumers are demanding, well, simply that, the ability to demand.
We all want to be entertained, but more and more, we want that entertainment on our terms and at the times convenient to us.
On top of this, during hard economic times, people cut back on perceived luxury or find alternatives or better value to established channels.
The folk at Foxtel are perceptive and recognise the need to change with the times. Yesterday Foxtel announced a revamp of their online presence at www.foxtel.com.au.
Much of the announcement seems pretty straight forward by today’s technological standards. Owners of Foxtel IQ and IQ2 boxes however, will be pleased with the
new remote record option. [UPDATE] It has been pointed out to iTWire by a Foxtel representative, that the remote record is not new functionality, having been available now for over two years.
Foxtel say:
The new-look foxtel.com.au now offers visitors an extensive collection of full screen video, can recommend must-see FOXTEL programming, and for the first time offers FOXTEL subscribers the ability to manage their account online.
foxtel.com.au is also an exciting next step toward providing subscribers with a fully integrated online entertainment service where they can access their favourite FOXTEL channels and shows from the PC.
FOXTEL Executive Director of Sales and Product Development, Patrick Delany said,
“FOXTEL’s new site brings TV to the net, we’ve taken a huge amount of video clips and promos and put them online to watch at any time. The entire screen comes alive with video and the website framework is available underneath.
“foxtel.com.au is the online window to FOXTEL and is the best way for us to show people what FOXTEL offers. If you’re new to FOXTEL, the site will help you discover what FOXTEL is, and it also provides existing subscribers with a range of new features to expand FOXTEL’s services and functionality.”
Be entertained online and sample the best of FOXTEL programming by viewing hours and hours of video clips in full screen. Find video promos and clips showcasing over 60 shows at any one time from either the home page or the What’s On section of the site.
There’s always something great to watch on FOXTEL and now it’s easier than ever to find these shows using the new site’s true recommendation technology. The recommendation functionality is designed to help viewers discover new programs, as well as find shows they already enjoy watching. The 14 Day Online TV Guide also hosts the new recommendation features and is seamlessly integrated with Remote Record, which sends selected shows straight to the FOXTEL iQ or iQ2 set-top-unit planner to watch any time at home.
More Foxtel and movie distribution changes from page 2
