Foxtel Now Review & Guide
While it can be a tough choice to decide which streaming service you should subscribe to, choosing a plan or package can be even tougher, with each service offering plenty to choose from. As one of the bigger players in the local market, Foxtel has had to adapt to combat new competitors on the scene, with the brand offering a number of packages to entice customers to switch the channel over to Foxtel. One such option is Foxtel Now, but what is it and is it worth the money? Find out in this Canstar Blue guide.
What is Foxtel Now?
Launched back in 2013 as ‘Foxtel Play’, the service underwent a name change in 2017, switching to its current name of ‘Foxtel Now’. The big difference between Foxtel Now and the traditional Foxtel setup is that Foxtel Now requires less setup and installation, meaning you can stream just like you would with Netflix or Stan, ideal for when you want to crash on the couch as soon as you get home.
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What shows are on Foxtel Now?
What shows you can watch on Foxtel Now will depend on which entertainment packs you add to your order. Some of the biggest and best shows include:
- Game of Thrones
- Homeland
- The Walking Dead
- Westworld
- Big Little Lies
- Chernobyl
- Succession
- Euphoria
- Mr. Robot
- Suits
- True Detective
- Wentworth
- Curb Your Enthusiasm
- What We Do In the Shadows
- Mare of East Town
- Ballers
- Mayans M.C.
In addition to TV shows and movies, you can also catch plenty of sports broadcasts, including American sports such as the NFL and NBA, along with Aussie broadcasts for the NRL and AFL.
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 | |||
Foxtel Now Packages & Prices
Foxtel Now starts from $25 a month with the Essentials base pack, which includes the Pop and Lifestyle packs, giving you shows such as Watchmen, Batwoman and The Great Australian Bake Off. You can also add other packs to your order, giving you more shows and movies to tune into. Additional packs include:
- Sport ($29) – Includes channels such as Fox League, Fox Sports, ESPN and Eurosport.
- Movies ($20) – Includes channels such as Movies Premiere, Movies Kids, Movies Action, Movies Family, Movies Hits and Movies Greats.
- Drama Extra ($10) – Includes channels such as UKTV, Fox Crime, BBC First, Universal and FoxOne.
- All Packs ($104) – Foxtel Now also throws in a Kids and Doco pack when you choose the All Packs option, this includes 17 different channels of kids content and documentaries.
You’ll be able to pick and choose which packs you’d like to add to your order, meaning you can customise to suit your preferences when it comes to zoning out on the couch. While having plenty of choice is a good thing, you’ll have to be careful which packs you add, as you may quickly rack up a hefty monthly bill as well.
Foxtel Now is available as a 10-day free trial to new customers only from December 8, 2023, until the offer is withdrawn.
How can I stream Foxtel Now?
Like many streaming services, you’ll simply have to log into Foxtel Now, find something you want to watch and then you’re good to go – provided you have a stable internet connection. Either log into Foxtel online or through the Foxtel Go app – a recent change with the demise of the Foxtel Now app – where you’ll be able to watch your favourite shows and movies.
What devices are compatible with Foxtel Now?
A streaming service isn’t much help if you can only watch it on one particular device. Thankfully Foxtel Now is available on a number of devices to help ensure that you don’t miss out on your favourite shows. Compatible devices include:
- Foxtel Now Box
- 2019 and 2020 Hisense VIDAA OS televisions
- Sony Android TV
- Samsung Smart TV 2017 models and above
- LG Smart TV 2017 models and above
- Shield TV
- Telstra TV
- PlayStation 4
- Chromecast or Airplay
- iOS and Android mobile, tablet and computer devices
If you have an older device, it’s always best to read the fine print on whether it’s compatible with Foxtel Now, as it may save you a bit of heartbreak and hassle further down the line.
What’s the difference between Foxtel Go and Foxtel Now?
With a number of products and options available, it can be tough to decide what you need when you’re signing up to Foxtel, and what the difference is between each product and plan. So, is there a difference between Foxtel Go and Foxtel Now, or is it all just marketing?
The main difference between the two services is that Foxtel Now is a standalone product from Foxtel, while Foxtel Go is simply an inclusion when you sign up to a regular Foxtel service, meaning it becomes more of an argument between Foxtel Now and a regular subscription. However, this is where it all becomes a bit murky, as both offer multiple packages and plans to choose from, meaning what you want and how much you’re willing to spend will be a big factor in your decision.
With the cheapest Foxtel Now subscription available from just $25 per month, there is a bit of price difference, as the cheapest Foxtel Package costs upwards of $50, depending on whether or not Foxtel has a special going. However, both offer you the chance to customise your order, meaning if you’re after a sports package, or you’re looking to get the latest movies, you can add them to order – for a price.
In addition to the price, device compatibility and available channels are also the biggest difference between the two, although this will come down to which package you purchase, as well as which device you’re hoping to watch your Foxtel shows on. As a result, it’s always best to read the fine print to ensure you’re getting what you’re after, and that your plans for a quiet Friday night in aren’t ruined.
Stream Sports with Kayo
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| Brand | Subscription Type | No. of Screens/same time viewing | Advertised Cost^^/month | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Kayo One Subscription
min. cost $25 over 1 month |
1 | $25 | Go To Site |
|
Basic Subscription
min. cost $30 over 1 month |
2 | $35 | Go To Site |
|
^^View important information | |||
How does Foxtel Now compare to Netflix and Stan?
With Netflix and Stan a force to reckon with in the Australian market, how does Foxtel Now stack up against the newer kids on the block? This comparison looks at their respective basic subscriptions.
| Netflix (Basic Plan) | Stan (Basic Plan) | Foxtel Now (Essentials Pack) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $10.99/month | $10/month | $25/month |
| Live TV | No | No | Yes |
| Original Content | Yes | Yes | No |
| New Releases | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Number of screens | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Add-ons available | No | No | Yes |
Source: Respective brand websites, January 2022
While Foxtel Now costs twice as much as a base subscription to either Stan or Netflix, the amount of content available may be what sways viewers. While Netflix and Stan have their own original series and productions, Foxtel has a host of exclusive content which isn’t available anywhere else, in addition to live sports and new release movies, which may make the larger price tag somewhat justifiable.
Is Foxtel Now worth the money?
Choosing a streaming subscription can be tough, especially with so many options available on the Aussie market right now. While it could be tempting to simply sign up with Netflix or Stan, they may not offer the shows and movies that you’re after.
Foxtel Now may be better suited for those who aren’t sure about signing up to the full Foxtel experience, but still want to keep up to date with new releases, documentaries and sports. While more expensive than other streaming services, Foxtel Now does give you the option to also pick and choose packages, meaning you can customise to your liking, meaning fighting over the remote or scrolling for ages looking for a worthwhile show to watch may become a thing of the past. And if you’re still not sure, check out our ratings on streaming services to see what else is available, and how they stack up against each other.
Sign up to Disney+ Australia
There are two plan options to choose from – a monthly subscription, or prepay for a year. This table includes links to a referral partner.
| 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 | |||
Picture credit: Drobot/shutterstock.com, bbernard/shutterstock.com
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.