Foxtel Now is a contract-free streaming service starting at $35/month, rising to $104 for the all-inclusive Ultimate Bundle.
It bundles live channels, sport, HBO dramas and movies in one app, but costs far more than $10–$22/month rivals like Netflix and Binge.
HD-only quality, poor audio and buggy apps make it worthwhile only for those wanting one à la carte app for everything.
Formerly known as Foxtel Play, Foxtel Now is the pay TV of the digital age. It offers subscriptions to live television channels and thousands of titles on demand.
The online service allows you to customise your subscription with various channel packages based on your interests. Unlike BINGE, which offers access to its entire content library for a flat fee, what you watch on Foxtel Now depends on what you are willing to pay for.
You can choose TV shows (including HBO content), movies, live sport and more, all on a monthly basis so you can cancel anytime.
What is Foxtel Now?
Foxtel Now is a streaming service that gives you access to Foxtel content over the internet without the need for a set-top box or installation. Think of it as a digital, contract-free version of traditional Foxtel.
It started as Foxtel Play and evolved into Foxtel Now to meet the growing demand for flexible, online entertainment in Australia.
Foxtel Now plans and pricing
To get started with Foxtel Now, you need to subscribe to the basic Essentials pack. This pack is your gateway to the service, and after that, you can add other premium packs to customise your viewing experience. Each add-on pack incurs an additional monthly fee.
Here is a breakdown of the Foxtel Now packs:
Essentials pack. This base pack costs $35 per month and is required for all subscriptions. It includes world-class drama, the latest entertainment, lifestyle, reality, and news channels.
Sport pack. For an additional $29 per month, this pack delivers dedicated sports channels, letting you stream every game of the AFL, NRL, Super Netball, F1, Supercars, MotoGP and more.
Movies pack. Priced at an extra $20 per month, this pack offers access to a large library of movies on demand.
Drama Extra pack. For an additional $10 per month, you get more drama-focused channels.
Kids pack. Add this for $10 per month to entertain the little ones.
Docos pack. For $10 per month, dive into a world of documentaries.
If you choose to subscribe to every single pack, known as the Ultimate Bundle, the total cost for Foxtel Now is $104 per month. All plans are commitment-free, allowing you to change or cancel your subscription at any time.
Does Foxtel Now offer a free trial?
Yes, Foxtel Now offers a 10-day free trial for new customers. This trial usually grants you access to all packs, allowing you to sample the full range of content before committing to a subscription.
Deal
10-day free trial of Foxtel Now
No installation and no lock-in contract. New customers only. Sign up now.
Every channel pack expands your entertainment horizons even further. The Essentials pack gives you access to Foxtel originals, HBO content, news and reality TV. You can watch popular shows like Succession, The Last of Us, Colin from Accounts, Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon and The Twelve.
The Sport channel pack offers dedicated sports channels and enables subscribers to watch every game of the AFL, NRL and Super Netball, plus F1, Supercars, MotoGP and more.
Meanwhile, the Movies pack grants you access to a large library of movies on demand. The Drama Extra pack adds more drama-heavy channels to your subscription. For family viewing, the Kids and Docos packs offer a range of content for children and documentaries.
Foxtel Now device compatibility
You can register up to 5 devices on a single Foxtel Now account and stream content on any 2 of those devices simultaneously. To stream on some devices, you will need to use the Foxtel GO app, but the service remains the same.
Here is a list of compatible devices:
Streaming devices. Chromecast, Telstra TV, Mac (with Foxtel GO), PC (with Foxtel GO), Foxtel Now box, NVIDIA Shield TV, Shield TV Pro.
Smart TVs. Select Samsung TVs, Sony Android TVs, Sony smart TVs, LG TVs, Hisense smart TVs.
You can also use Google Nest to control Foxtel Now.
Foxtel Now vs Foxtel GO vs Foxtel iQ
It is easy to get confused with Foxtel's various services, but here is a clear breakdown:
Foxtel Now. This is a standalone streaming service that delivers Foxtel content over the internet. You subscribe directly to Foxtel Now and choose your channel packs. It requires no installation or set-top box.
Foxtel GO. This is a free add-on streaming service included with a traditional Foxtel iQ subscription. It allows existing Foxtel iQ customers to watch their subscribed channels on mobile devices and computers. While often confused with Foxtel Now due to similar app experiences, Foxtel GO is tied to a traditional Foxtel iQ account.
Foxtel iQ. This refers to the traditional pay TV service delivered via a Foxtel iQ set-top box. It involves installation and a long-term contract, offering a different delivery method for Foxtel content compared to the internet-based Foxtel Now.
The Foxtel Now and Foxtel GO apps essentially function the same way, and if you try to download the Foxtel Now app from an app store, you will likely get the Foxtel GO app. However, the key distinction lies in how you access the content and your underlying subscription.
Internet speed and data for Foxtel Now
Streaming Foxtel Now requires a stable internet connection. To ensure a smooth viewing experience without annoying buffering, here is what you need to know:
Minimum speed for standard definition. You need a minimum speed of 3Mbps to enjoy standard definition streams.
Minimum speed for high definition. For HD content, when available, a minimum speed of 7Mbps is required. Foxtel Now streams in up to 1080p for on-demand titles and up to 720p on linear TV. Not all channels are available in HD.
Data usage. Streaming TV and movies can use a significant amount of data, especially in HD. We recommend an NBN plan with unlimited data, ideally NBN 50 or faster, to avoid excess charges and ensure consistent performance for your household's streaming needs.
Foxtel Now review: Is it worth it?
Foxtel Now offers quality programming (hello HBO shows), but you have to pay a lot for it. Following the model of its pay TV parent, you sign up for different packs to watch certain things. If you want to watch everything on Foxtel Now, the cost is an eye-watering $104 a month, which in the era of monthly streaming packages available in the realm of $10–$15 doesn't compare price-wise, no matter how good the TV shows featured on it are. The user interface is fine to use, but like most streaming services, it is hard to discover content, especially when teasers and previews are shown alongside actual shows and movies. There is the attraction of live TV, but outside of something like news or sport, live programming isn't that important unless you want to avoid spoilers. Device capability is an issue, especially when there are still devices that use a Foxtel Play app, which is confusing when it changed its name from that back in 2017. If you prefer an a la carte option you could get Foxtel Now, but when there are cheaper, all-you-can-eat options available, you'd be better off with the latter.
Once the undisputed champ of Australia's pay TV scene, the arrival of streaming has threatened Foxtel's relevancy. Especially given the price of Foxtel Now is extremely hard to justify in 2023. But it still does have a use case. If you want one app to rule them all, then Foxtel Now can give you a lot of the world's best TV, movies, sport, docos, news and kids' programming in one place. It's true some content has been corralled into rival platforms like Disney Plus and Paramount Plus, but there's still plenty of quality on offer. What I enjoy most is the linear channels. Yes, you can watch content on demand, but being able to channel surf takes away the endless scroll discovery issue of other apps. I also like the dedicated Movie Premiere channel, which points you straight to the latest flicks rather than hiding them among legacy content. Do these joys justify the price? Probably not. It's still only HD at best, and the audio quality is very poor. And I encounter more bugs with the Foxtel apps than any other. If nothing else, the lack of investment in improving the app is worrying.
How does Foxtel Now compare to other streaming services?
Foxtel Now offers a generous library of live and on-demand content, including sport, depending on the channel packs you choose. Here is how it stacks up against some of Australia's most popular streaming platforms and other Foxtel-owned services:
BINGE. This is Foxtel's closest competitor to Netflix. It provides a vast on-demand library with many of the same drama and entertainment titles as Foxtel Now, with plans starting from $10/month (Basic with ads), $19/month (Standard) and $22/month (Premium), along with some live channels. Binge is often a more budget-friendly option if you are primarily interested in drama and entertainment without the sports or movie add-ons of Foxtel Now.
Kayo Sports. Also owned by Foxtel, Kayo is a dedicated sports streaming service starting at $29.99/month for the Standard plan and $45.99/month for Premium. If your main interest is live and on-demand sports, Kayo typically offers a more cost-effective solution than subscribing to the Foxtel Now Sport pack, as it removes the need for the Essentials bundle.
Netflix. The global streaming giant offers a massive library of movies, TV shows and acclaimed originals from $9.99/month (Standard with ads), $20.99/month (Standard) and $28.99/month (Premium). Unlike Foxtel Now, it does not include live channels and its content model is all-you-can-eat.
Stan. A home-grown service with a wide range of content, including original productions and exclusive programming from Showtime. Stan plans start at $12/month (Basic), $17/month (Standard) and $22/month (Premium) for its entire library, with no live TV.
Disney Plus. This service is home to content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and Star (Hulu in some regions). It offers a vast family-friendly and blockbuster library from $9.99/month (Standard with ads), $17.99/month (Standard) and $24.99/month (Premium), with no live channels.
Paramount Plus. Includes content from CBS, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and more, along with exclusive originals and live sports like the A-League, from $7.99/month (Basic with ads), $12.99/month (Standard) and $17.99/month (Premium).
Amazon Prime Video. Offers exclusive Amazon Originals, popular movies and TV shows from $9.99/month (with ads) or $12.98/month ad-free. It is included as part of an Amazon Prime subscription, which also provides other benefits.
Foxtel also owns Flash for dedicated news streaming and LifeStyle for property, reality and food TV content. These niche services offer alternative ways to access specific types of Foxtel content.
Foxtel Now frequently asked questions
Foxtel Now allows users to stream content in high definition (HD). The service streams in up to 1080p for on-demand titles and up to 720p on linear TV. Not all channels are available in HD and the quality will depend on your device and internet speed. You need a minimum speed of 3Mbps for standard definition and 7Mbps for HD content.
That depends on the channel packs you opt for when building your subscription. The basic Essentials pack gives you access to a variety of entertainment and news channels. You can then add movies, sport, more drama, kids' and documentaries into the mix.
Yes, Foxtel Now is a standalone streaming service with its own subscription fees. It is not an extension to an existing Foxtel iQ subscription, meaning if you have Foxtel iQ, you still need a separate Foxtel Now subscription if you want that specific service.
The cheapest Foxtel Now package is the Essentials pack, which costs $35 a month.
It depends on the channel packs you choose, as each pack comes with different Foxtel channels. For example, the Essentials pack includes Fox Showcase, Fox8, Arena, Fox Docos, Boxsets, MTV, and Lifestyle. You will see a detailed list of available channels when signing up for Foxtel Now.
No, you can only bundle Netflix through Foxtel if you have a traditional Foxtel iQ subscription, not with Foxtel Now.
To update your payment details for Foxtel Now, log in to foxtelnow.com.au/myaccount. These changes cannot be made using the Foxtel Now mobile, tablet, streaming device or smart TV apps.
You can change your Foxtel Now packs by logging in to foxtelnow.com.au/myaccount and clicking 'Update package'. From there, you can click 'Add' or 'X' next to any pack to modify your subscription. Once done, click 'Update my package'. Package changes typically take effect immediately, and your new monthly charge will be displayed. You can adjust your packs once per billing period.
To reset your Foxtel Now password, visit foxtel.com.au/now/login/forgot-password.html and enter the email address associated with your account. A reset link will be sent to your email, allowing you to follow the prompts to set a new password. This process cannot be completed through the Foxtel Now apps.
You can cancel your Foxtel Now subscription by logging in to foxtelnow.com.au/myaccount. Click on 'Cancel Subscription', then 'Yes, Cancel'. After providing a reason for cancelling, you will need to click 'Cancel my membership' to confirm and complete the cancellation.
Yes, Foxtel Now allows you to use up to two devices simultaneously with your subscription. You can also register up to five devices to your account.
Foxtel Now itself does not offer internet and phone bundles. While Telstra has offered bundles with traditional Foxtel and NBN in the past, Foxtel Now packages are typically separate. Providers like Telstra have shifted focus more towards their dedicated streaming platforms like Binge and Kayo, often offering free trials or discounted rates to customers.
Aaron McAllister was the publisher for utilities at Finder, helping to deliver insightful guides to sports, entertainment and energy. He has a Bachelor of Commerce and a major in Marketing from the University of Wollongong. Away from work, you can find him perfecting his jump shot.
See full bio
Find a better deal, save on your bills and get a free gift card. Sign up to be the first to hear about new Finder Rewards.
Important information about this website
Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own.
Finder is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stand by our editorial principles.
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
We make money by featuring products on our site. Compensation received from the providers featured on our site can influence which products we write about as well as where and how products appear on our page, but the order or placement of these products does not influence our assessment or opinions of them, nor is it an endorsement or recommendation for them.
Products marked as 'Top Pick', 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
How likely would you be to recommend Finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
