Telstra TV Box Office Review & Guide
With all the hype of Netflix and Stan, it’s not uncommon for smaller streaming platforms to be overshadowed – and even forgotten. But what you might not realise is there’s a whole world of streaming out there – and depending on your preferences, the smaller platforms may actually be better suited for your entertainment needs. One of these often overshadowed options is Telstra TV Box Office, formerly known as BigPond Movies, which might just surprise you. Find out all you need to know about Telstra TV Box Office with Canstar Blue.
What is Telstra TV Box Office?
Telstra TV Box Office is a streaming service that provides users with a direct route to the latest new-release films and television shows, many of which have limited availability on other major streaming platforms. The entertainment service is free to sign up to, and users only spend money on renting or purchasing movies directly through the service.
Does BigPond Movies still exist?
BigPond Movies is no longer available, with the official changing of the guards happening in February 2019, with the BigPond Movies website now redirecting customers to the Telstra TV Box Office website, and all Smart TV apps and customer accounts on the new platform.
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How do I get Telstra TV Box Office?
Much like Netflix, Stan and other platforms, you just need to download the app onto your smart television or iOS devices, or access the website if you are streaming on a PC or Mac. Many people assume you need to be a current customer with Telstra, or have Telstra TV, however that is not the case – but you will need a Telstra ID account.
How to get a Telstra ID
Obtaining a Telstra ID is easy – if you are or have been a Telstra customer. Sign up is relatively simple, only requiring an email address and personal details, along with your Telstra account number, which can either be your Telstra mobile number or the 13-digit account number, which you’d normally find on your Telstra bill.
For non-Telstra customers, you might be out of luck, unless you don’t mind putting in a bit of extra effort. To get a Telstra ID and Telstra Account Number, you can always purchase a Telstra SIM card for only $2, and use that information to sign up to Telstra TV Box Office. While it might mean you have to go above and beyond, a $2 sign-up fee is pretty modest in the scheme of the things.
Sign up to BINGE!
Are you looking for something binge-worthy? Why not check out BINGE? With multiple subscription plans available, you can choose a plan that suits you (or your family) and settle in for a night on the couch with a wide range of movies and shows!
| Brand | Subscription Type | No. of Screens/same time viewing | Advertised Cost^^/month | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $10 over one month |
1 | $10 |
Go To Site |
|
min. cost $19 over one month |
2 | $19 |
Go To Site |
|
min. cost $22 over one month |
4 | $22 |
Go To Site |
 |
^^View important information | |||
How to watch Telstra TV Box Office
Obviously, Telstra TV Box Office is targeted to be enjoyed through Telstra TV (the telco’s own streaming device), with Telstra constantly offering deals and usually Box Office credit when you purchase Telstra TV along with a home internet plan. However, as long as you have a Telstra ID, you can watch Telstra TV Box Office on multiple platforms, such as:
- PC and Mac via Chrome, Safari and Firefox
- Android and iOS devices (Android 4.4 or higher, iOS 9 or higher)
- Smart TVs such as LG, Panasonic, Samsung (2016+ models)
How much does Telstra TV Box Office cost?
While signing up to the service is (technically) free, the movies and shows on Telstra TV Box Office aren’t. For new-releases, expect to pay about $5-7 to rent, and between $15-25 to purchase in HD, although you may see prices decrease the older the movie becomes. Additionally, television shows are usually $2-3 per episode or you can purchase entire seasons, however these may range between $20 to $40. Once you purchase and download them though, they’re yours for good, meaning you can get plenty of value out of them.
Does Telstra TV Box Office have a free trial?
As the service is predominantly free to sign up to, and the only costs are from when you actually purchase or rent a title, Telstra TV Box Office does not offer a free trial. However, Telstra does occasionally offer credit for new customers, meaning you’ll be able to enjoy some free titles upon signing up, although it’s best to check the fine print before agreeing to anything.
What’s available on Telstra TV Box Office?
One of the main attractions to Box Office is the mammoth amount of new-releases available directly after their theatre release, making it handy for those who didn’t get a chance to head to the cinema. Latest movie releases include:
- The Batman
- Dog
- Spider-Man: No Way Home
- Uncharted
- Black Widow
- Cruella
If TV shows are more your thing, Telstra TV Box Office includes a number of hits, such as:
- Mayans M.C
- Luther
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine
- Bluey
- Vikings
- Peacemaker
- Outlander
Telstra TV Box Office on Telstra broadband plans
If you’re looking to bundle your broadband and entertainment into one convenient plan, you can enjoy Telstra TV Box Office by adding Telstra TV to your monthly NBN or ADSL service. The option is available to Telstra broadband customers for an extra $9 per month, with a 24-month minimum term, and can be added to the Telstra plans in the below table.
The following tables includes all published Telstra NBN plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Is Telstra TV Box Office worth it?
Streaming services are a popular way to pass the time, whether you have the house to yourself, or you’re hoping to keep the kids entertained on those rainy days. But deciding which one is worth the money can be tough, especially if they all offer exclusive content to reel you in. As a result, it’s best to look into all of your options before signing up – as well as checking out free trials – as one streaming platform may have more shows and movies that are suited to your watching habits.
If you only have enough free time to occasionally watch a movie or TV episode, Telstra TV Box Office might be more suitable for you, as there’s no regular expense like with Netflix or Stan, meeting you only pay for what you use. However, if you spend every spare second in front of the TV, it may end up being more expensive in the long run, meaning the bigger players may be more your speed.
Ultimately which streaming service you decide to use will come down to your individual viewing habits, as well as what shows and movies you like to watch. But considering there’s nothing stopping you from having multiple streaming platforms, there’s no harm in checking out Telstra TV Box Office, especially if you’ve missed the latest releases at the cinema.
Streaming for the whole family with Disney+
Looking for some family-friendly entertainment? Why note check out Disney+? There are two plan options to choose from – a monthly subscription, or prepay for a year.
| Brand | Subscription Type | No. of Screens/same time viewing | Advertised Cost^^/month or year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $13.99 over one month |
4 | $13.99 |
Get Deal |
|
min. cost $139.99 over one year |
4 | $139.99 |
Get Deal |
|
^^View important information | |||
About the author of this page
This report was written by Canstar Blue’s Site Editor, Dean Heckscher. He’s our resident expert on all things automotive, health & fitness, streaming and more. Dean is also one of Canstar Blue’s customer research report producers, helping to turn complicated subjects into easily-digestible information for our readers. He’s passionate about helping consumers make better-informed purchase decisions on all manner of consumer goods and services.