Telstra TV Box Office: Price, features and content

With competition on the streaming market at an all-time high, figuring out the best entertainment option for you can be confusing. Yet, one thing's for sure – newly released movies take a while to make their way to streaming services. So if you're a movie buff eager to keep up with titles straight from the cinema, buying or renting is the way to go.

That's where Telstra TV Box Office comes in, giving you access to a generous collection of movies and TV shows that can be hard to find anywhere else.

What is Telstra TV Box Office

Previously known as BigPond Movies, Telstra TV Box Office is a digital streaming platform that lets you choose from a huge library of movies and TV shows to rent and buy, from blockbusters to old favourites.

Instead of paying for a monthly subscription and getting access to a library of content, you pay as you go, only for the titles you're interested in. This can work well if you only watch shows or movies every now and then, if you're interested in the latest releases that haven't made it to streaming yet or if you're keen on building a digital collection of titles you can access anytime.

If you were already a BigPond Movies customer, you'll be happy to know that you can use Telstra TV Box Office with your existing username and password. You also continue to have access to titles you've purchased in the past.

How much does Telstra TV Box Office cost?

Telstra TV Box Office is free to use, as you only pay for the titles you want to get access to. In other words, you sign up for free and only spend money on TV shows and movies you want to rent or own.

As for prices, those vary greatly depending on title. Movies generally cost around $6 to rent and between $15 and $25 to buy, though those numbers can go up for newer releases.

You don't have the option to rent TV shows, only buy them. Individual episodes cost around $3, while an entire season can set you back anywhere between $20 and $40. You can check the library of titles available prior to signing up for a general idea of how much you'll spend on your favourite content.

Does Telstra TV Box Office offer promotions or discounts?

Yes, the platform regularly runs special promotions, so you can end up saving big if you take advantage of discounts. The best way to go is to keep an eye out on the official Telstra TV Box Office website or app for any deals.

On the same note, new users who sign up for Telstra TV Box Office receive credit to rent a movie for free during their first month with the service.

What can I watch on Telstra TV Box Office?

Telstra TV Box Office carries a generous collection of both TV and movies, including blockbusters straight from the cinema.

Popular titles on the platform in July 2020 include Scoob, Capone, Onward, The Hunt, Emma and The Lighthouse. You can browse the library by genre or by collections like modern romance, new crime movies, family or big action movies.

The same applies to TV series. You'll find comedies, dramas, period shows and more. You can check out highlights like Outlander, Supergirl, Homeland, Fleabag, The 100, Westworld and more. Reality TV series like Keeping Up with the Kardashians are also available to purchase.

How can I access Telstra TV Box Office

To access Telstra TV Box Office go to the official website or download the app on your preferred device. You'll need to create an account if you don't already have one with Telstra by choosing a username and a password.

Telstra TV Box Office is compatible with Telstra TV, Android and iOS phones and tablets, PCs/Macs and selected smart TVs.

How much data is required?

Telstra TV Box Office requires an Internet speed of at least 3.5Mbps for SD or 5Mbps for HD content. This equates to roughly 3GB/hour or 5GB/hour, but data allowance differs by devices. Fortunately for Telstra broadband customers Telstra TV Box Office is unmetered so you don't need to worry about your data. Though it's worth noting that this excludes Telstra Air hotspots.

How does it compare?

Telstra TV Box Office is similar to other digital stores out there, like iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Prime Video Store and Microsoft Store. Prices and content are similar, so it all comes down to personal preference when choosing where to purchase your movies or TV series from.

That being said, if you're a Telstra customer and have a Telstra TV, going with Telstra TV Box Office should be a no-brainer, since the platform is seamlessly integrated with the streaming device.

On the same note, previous BigPond Movies users should have no trouble navigating Telstra TV Box Office, since your account still works and purchased titles are still available.

Frequently asked questions

• What does buying a title mean?

  Purchasing a title from Telstra TV Box Office means you can stream this title as often as you want using your Telstra TV Box Office account for as long as Telstra holds the right to make the title available to you.

• How long will I have to watch a title I rent?

  When you rent a title from Telstra TV Box Office there are two time frames to be aware of: the expiry period and the viewing period. The expiry period is the amount of time you have to begin watching the title – for most titles, this is seven days. The viewing period is the amount of time you have to continue watching your title after you have first started to play it, which is usually 48 hours.

• Why are some movies only available to buy, not rent?

  Movie studios generally make their new release movies available to buy on digital services like Telstra TV Box Office around one to three weeks before the standard rental release date. If that's the case, the title will only be available to purchase.

• Can I stream on more than once device at the same time?

  You can stream a title from your Telstra TV Box Office library on up to two registered devices at once. A limit of three streams per account applies at any given time.

Image source: Telstra