21 February 2005


FOXTEL iQ - FOXTEL’s Personal Digital Recorder Unveiled

FOXTEL today launched FOXTEL iQ, the personal digital recorder (PDR) that will change forever the way we watch television.

FOXTEL iQ is a powerful enhancement of the FOXTEL Digital service that delivers subscribers unprecedented control over their viewing – liberating consumers to get the most from their entertainment time.

IMAGINE recording your favourite shows without using messy video tapes
IMAGINE your TV waited until you'd finished that phone call
IMAGINE pressing a button and never missing an episode of your favourite series
IMAGINE instant replay 24 hours a day – whatever you're watching

FOXTEL iQ is a world-leading digital set-top-box, available only to FOXTEL subscribers, that uses a hard-disk drive to record and re-play FOXTEL’s vast range of quality programming at the touch of a button on the FOXTEL remote control.

In addition, FOXTEL iQ will pause and rewind “live” television for instant replays so viewers never miss a moment of their favourite programs or sports broadcasts.

The FOXTEL iQ works through connection to the FOXTEL Digital service of more than 100 channels, enabling recording with breakthrough simplicity of around 60 hours of programming that subscribers can view at any time that suits them.

FOXTEL’s Chief Executive Kim Williams said: “FOXTEL iQ will liberate consumers to watch the television they want, when they want. We have created a highly intelligent device that is extremely easy to use. This is entertainment that empowers the viewer like never before.”

FOXTEL iQ is not an ordinary digital recorder. FOXTEL iQ is the only device of its kind that integrates with FOXTEL’s state-of-the-art Digital Guide (Electronic Program Guide) that is the gateway to FOXTEL’s unique world of more than 100 channels of quality movies, sports, news, documentaries, children’s, music, lifestyle, and general entertainment programming.

“The three-way combination of the FOXTEL iQ set-top-box, the vast pallet of FOXTEL Digital channels, and the FOXTEL Digital Guide that binds it all together, delivers the ultimate television experience,” Mr Williams said.

The FOXTEL iQ provides the viewer with a one-touch, live television pause feature, instant replay of a live broadcast and pause/play/stop/record/fast-forward/rewind capability.

FOXTEL’s Executive Director of Content, Product Development and Delivery, Patrick Delany, said: “FOXTEL iQ delivers the benefits and more of DVD recording and viewing, but without messy video tapes and DVDs which will become a thing of the past. The FOXTEL iQ is the next phase in the evolution of FOXTEL Digital.”

With the FOXTEL iQ, subscribers can record two programs that are being broadcast at the same time on two different channels, while watching a previously recorded show.

FOXTEL iQ also features a Personal Planner, assisting subscribers to plan their viewing by showing on the TV screen: all programs recorded on the FOXTEL iQ whether or not they have been watched; programs the subscriber has set to record in the future; and a reminder that a selected program is about to start on the FOXTEL Digital service.

The FOXTEL iQ set-top-box has all the functionality of the existing FOXTEL Digital set-top box, including giving parents control of viewing through use of a PIN that enables them to restrict or block the viewing and/or purchase of programs or channels at the touch of a button on the FOXTEL remote control.

FOXTEL is charging subscribers a one-off access fee of $395.00 for the FOXTEL iQ.

Installation of the FOXTEL iQ will cost $100.00, and subscribers will pay a $5.95 per month service fee in addition to their regular monthly FOXTEL Digital subscription. This service fee will be waived for subscribers taking FOXTEL Digital’s top Platinum package or for those who subscribe for two or more set-top-boxes. 

“Having a FOXTEL iQ has clear advantages over the purchase of other PDR devices,” Mr Delany said.

“With FOXTEL iQ your warranty never runs out and FOXTEL will service the box if there are any faults. Your PDR technology will never be outdated. FOXTEL has the ability to continually upgrade the FOXTEL iQ ensuring our subscribers have access to the latest technology, functionality and features which FOXTEL will continue to introduce.”

FOXTEL’s Executive Director of Television and Marketing, Brian Walsh, said: “The FOXTEL iQ gives subscribers even more ways to enjoy FOXTEL’s rich programming choices.”

“FOXTEL and all the channels in our service are constantly developing new and unique programming and we showcase the best of local and international television. Our subscribers can now time-shift their favourite programs with great simplicity to a time that suits them best,” Mr Walsh said.

More than 60 per cent of FOXTEL’s direct subscribers are now connected to FOXTEL Digital, which was launched on 14 March 2004.

The FOXTEL iQ is available to both new customers and existing FOXTEL subscribers.

Existing FOXTEL Digital subscribers simply require an upgrade installation to the new FOXTEL iQ set-top-box.

Remaining FOXTEL subscribers to the analogue cable service, and satellite customers on pre-March 2004 contracts, can upgrade to the FOXTEL Digital service including the new digital FOXTEL iQ.

The FOXTEL Digital service to which the FOXTEL iQ will be connected consists of:

•  More than 100 channels and unique interactive services including 7 sports channels, 11 documentary channels, 7 news services, 9 movie channels plus access to the FOXTEL Box Office near-video-on-demand movie service, 6 music video channels, 5 children’s channels, 22 lifestyle, entertainment and arts channels, 30 audio channels and more.

•  Interactive sports, news and weather services. Originally available on selected live NRL and AFL match, Sports Active has expanded to include cricket, tennis and will soon be launch on the Super 12 Rugby Union. Sky News Active offers eight simultaneous screens of video content covering various news genres, while Weather Active provides instant access to localized weather information for your suburb, by postcode.

•  FOXTEL Box Office is a near video-on-demand movie service which offers access to blockbuster films, screening as often as every 30 minutes, which can be purchased via the FOXTEL remote control. Movies are broadcast in 16:9 widescreen, with 12 channels also supporting Dolby Digital surround sound.

• All FOXTEL Digital packages, which cost from $12 per week to $23 per week, include the Sky News Active and Sports Active digital interactive features at no extra cost, direct access to FOXTEL Box Office movies where you only pay for the movies you choose, and all with digital quality pictures and sound on your existing TV set.

www.FOXTELiQ.tv

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

BRENDON MOO
FOXTEL
(02) 9200 1057 OR 0411 103 575

About FOXTEL
FOXTEL is Australia's leading subscription television provider and is connected to more than 1.1 million homes on cable and satellite through retail and wholesale distribution. FOXTEL is owned by Telstra Corporation Ltd (50%), The News Corporation Ltd (25%), and Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd (25%).  The FOXTEL iQ remains the property of FOXTEL Cable Television. FOXTEL launched its new digital cable and satellite service in March 2004.