On the day when Eddie “Everywhere” McGuire, Collingwood President, Nine Game Show host, Triple M Breakfast host and all-around nice guy was announced as the face of the new (or relaunched) Foxtel AFL channel, Fox Footy, further information on the question of cost to consumers has come out.
It seems that the line that Foxtel have been running with that there will be no extra cost is mostly true although perhaps there marketing of a great deal and the benefits of the new channel are slightly off each other in reality.
See Foxtel have been advertising quite hardly that you can get 12 months of access to basic package and the sports package for $50. They also tout that installation is free. What they fail to mention is that this package is in Standard Definition (SD), yet are marketing heavly one of their strong points is that all their games will be in High Definition (HD). In fact their exact pitch is :
…FOX FOOTY is a great opportunity to be able to showcase AFL how we all want it on our television screens – every single game live, uninterrupted siren to siren and in HD.
Foxtel Press Release (7.11.2011) So while the $50 dealis undoubtedly a great deal for that year you sign up for, why do they not point out in their advertising is that this deal is for standard definition and that there are extra costs and charges for HD. From the representitive of Foxtel that talked to, it seems that the extra costs to go to HD are:
- One of $150 charge for installation
- $10 a month to add on the Sports HD channels
- $10 a month for the HD IQ box needed to get the HD channels.
# supplemental charges will apply for HD and Xbox customers (separate pricing will be announced by Telstra for its TBox and Mobile FOXTEL products).
I have the basic and sport for $50 a month (standard IQ), and think it is great. $50 a month for every afl game live. SD is still great quality, and sure HD would be nice, but it aint worth $20 a month. Just get the SD and enjoy every game live on fox.
Agreed. Just think that some will be caught out by the difference in the Marketing of the products and what you get.
The devil is in waiting for the detail once Eddie settles in with his big fat salary.
Eddie is castor oil for remedying an overdose of Dwayne Russell. In other words, since Clinton Bygrass passed away overuse of the poor-man’s Dennis Cometti has had me going for the mute button. When I can I turn onto ABC Radio … much better than listening to the repetitious Russell and his over use of stats from a computer monitor in the guise of being a wizz of footy facts. And if he says ‘party-time’ a thousand times more describing a one-sided game I’ll scream. No I won’t because this is one little black duck to whom I will not be lending my little pinkies … ever!
Will Fox Footy be available on Tbox?
Hi Adam,
Absolutely. The question is what the cost will be of this. Telstra are still deciding on it. I find it hard to believe it won’t either increase the current cost or add an additional cost. The good thing about the T-box is there is no lock in too it. You can decide at anytime to cut it off at no additional charge.
HTH
HD is so much better than SD, but that is just me.
What Fox are saying is that if you already have Foxtel HD, you will not pay an extra fee to have Fox Footy. Yes, you have to pay extra to get the HD box, but isn’t that obvious.
I do understand that point of view, as said before, think they are setting up for many customers to be disappointed. Of course, I could be totally wrong. Would be interested if on signup, it is pointed out to customers that the $50 deal is for the Standard Package not HD? I know the add for it makes no mention.
Will the Fox Footy Channel be in SD or HD on the Telstra T-Box? Cause if there is an option for HD on the T-Box then i will most certainty be getting a T-Box and not Foxtel!!
I don’t believe that their is HD as such on the T-box.
We signed up for the $50 sports deal recently (initially in SD with the iQHD), but when we got Foxtel HD on Tuesday, it was nothing but brilliant! All sport presented in glorious HD (even in primetime) and I am not looking back. Love my Foxtel and will not cancel my subscription at all.
For interest sakes Victor, where you surprised when the deal you signed up for wasn’t in HD or do you feel that Foxtel had explained well enough that the $50 plan was SD? If you don’t mind me asking, what was the cost difference to go to HD?
Has there been any announcements on the pricing for the Xbox? I am looking at getting all new, TV/Internet etc contracts. So the T-Box, Xbox, Foxtel etc are all being considered amongst others like ISP, Internet Tv (FetchTV, Boxee Box, Sony Internet TV) blu ray players etc.
Hi Trevor,
I still haven’t seen any word on this. I would imagine it will come early next year. Not sure about the xBox, but the T-box is month to month so the cost/risk of testing it is low (if you have have one) so would imagine closer to the time release.
JMTC
Molly
Hi Phillip,
I have recently signed up to Foxtel with the sports supporter package. I totally agree that it’s deceptive marketing to say you can watch all games live and in HD for $50 per month. I was made aware of the $150 extra installation fee and was prepared to pay that for access to the HD channels, but at no point in my initial phone conversation to sign up was it mentioned it was an extra $10 per month for HD and an extra $10 for IQ. So I was surprised to get my bill for $70 per month.
We love our footy in HD (and the ability to record it) and will probably keep it and pay the extra, but I did raise the deceptive marketing with a subsequent foxtel representative to see if I could get the HD included for free, (of course not). Sadly I don’t have the marketing material any more to check and see exactly what it said, otherwise I’d have taken it further.
Hi Emma,
I am sorry to hear that but thank you for sharing. I questioned if I was taking it too far but thought I wasn’t. Also I am waiting for the people that got deals that were for 6 months at a special price to go to the full price. It also might be the conspiracy theorist in me but I will be interested to see if there is a price rise for next year (i.e. Bait and switch type move).
Molly
I recently signed up for the $50 sports deal. And like Emma opted for the the upgrade to IQHD for $150. No mention from the sales staff that it would be extra $10 on top for the HD channels and $10 for the box per month. I have called numerous times to resolve this with no result. Their customer service reps are incompetent, uneducated in the correct info on their products, and quiet rude. I had a copy of the printed ad that clearly states that standard with sports is $50 with the option of an extra $10 to access the HD channels. No metion anywhere in the ad for an extra $10 for the box. The fine print states ^ Min cost $870 on 12 month direct debit plan (including $150 FOXTEL iQHD upgrade fee) on Get Started + choice of 1 channel tier + Foxtel iQHD. I have now made an official complaint and am waiting to hear back.