Australia Platform Overview Updated: 12th July 2012 Ownership and Key Executives Foxtel is an Australian Pay Television company, operating cable, DTH and IPTV services Foxtel was formed in 1995 through a joint venture established between Telstra and News Corporation Foxtel's shareholders comprise Telstra (50%, through Telstra Media Pty Ltd) and joint venture company Sky Cable Pty Ltd that is owned by News Corporation (25%) and Consolidated Media Holdings (25%). CMH are looking to sell their 25% in order to fund further investment in the gambling industry in Australia (they want to build a new casino in Sydney). News Corp are the likely buyers of this 25%. Headquarters in North Ryde, Sydney Key Executives include: ◦ Richard Freudenstein, CEO ◦ Peter Tonagh, COO ◦ Brian Walsh, Head of Television ◦ Ross Crowley, Director of Programming ◦ Jacqui Feeney, Head of Content Partnerships ◦ Brendon Moo, GM of On-demand and New Media Development and Reach Foxtel is Australia's largest pay television operator, delivered to over 2.25 million homes either directly or via Foxtel's wholesale partners Foxtel launched its digital service (Foxtel Digital) in March 2004. The service is loosely based on BSkyB’s consumer offering and includes a PVR known as iQ (first gen) or the second gen HD version, iQHD. In April 2008, Foxtel's penetration into Australian homes passed 30% but has stabilised there. In May 2012, Foxtel confirmed a $1.9bn deal to merge the business with Austar removing the geographical boundaries and merging their subscriber base delivering a total of 2.25m subs. The ACCC ratified the merger deal but placed some undertakings that will prevent FOXTEL from acquiring exclusive internet protocol television (IPTV) rights for a range of attractive television program and movie content, including: ◦ Linear channels supplied by independent content suppliers, including more than 60 linear channels that are currently broadcast by FOXTEL and many more that are broadcast internationally ◦ Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD) rights to current or past seasons of television programs that form part of a linear channel supplied by an independent content supplier ◦ Movie linear channels (or movies for inclusion in a linear channel) from more than 50% of the eight major movie studios or more than 50% of the eight specified independent movie studios ◦ SVOD rights to movies, except for an 18 month window in relation to the movie studios from which FOXTEL is not prohibited from acquiring exclusive linear rights. Foxtel Digital Features of the digital service include: ◦ Channels with widescreen ◦ Selected movies with Dolby AC3 5.1 Channel surround sound ◦ On-demand services ◦ Interactive services including multiple camera angle sports, news, games and others ◦ An EPG including channels and radio ◦ "+2" time shift channels of popular channels Like many other News Corporation-owned digital platforms, Foxtel uses NDS Group encryption system to provide security Open TV interactive platform for the electronic program guide and digital video recorder service Foxtel primarily run Pace Micro Technology set-top boxes Foxtel's satellite service transmits exclusively from the Optus C1 satellite on a frequency of 12.438 GHz and adjacent frequencies, as well as the Optus D3 satellite (November 2009) The Telstra hybrid fibre-coaxial cable carries Foxtel at frequencies of approximately 560 MHz (downstream) and 2.4 MHz (upstream). As of April 2007, all Foxtel subscribers are using the digital set-top box Pricing and Packaging Value Packs: Pricing and Packaging Build Your Own: Alternatively, you can subscribe to the basic package at a cost of $45 per month plus a one-off $100 installation cost. There are three further entertainment packs (Kids & Music, Drama & Lifestyle, Knowledge & Adventure), each priced at $16 each per month. From there you can add Premium Pay channels based on separate Sport and Movies packages as follows: Pricing and Packaging – Additional Services Multi-room: ◦ Enjoy Multi-room for $15 per month Speciality Channels: ◦ The WORLD MOVIES Channel $10 per month ◦ RAI Italia & RAI Satelradio (Italian Channel) $20 per month ◦ Antenna Pacific & Ant1 Radio (Greek Channel) $20 per month ◦ Disney Channel $7 per month SCI FI Channel $7 per month ◦ Sky Racing + (Sky Racing 2 & Sky Racing World) $5 per month ◦ Adults only $7 per movie ◦ Adults only 1 $25 per month ◦ Adults only 1 & Adults only 2 $35 per month Added extras: ◦ Movie Library On-Demand (via internet connection) $3.95 per movie ◦ TV On-Demand (via internet connection) From $1.95 per episode ◦ FOXTEL On-Demand Movie $5.50 per movie ◦ FOXTEL On-Demand HD Movie $5.95 per movie ◦ Main Event Prices vary based on event type ◦ FOXTEL Magazine $3.50 per month Foxtel on Xbox No installation required No long-term Foxtel contract and “un-metered” if you have Bigpond broadband (from Telstra) Over 35 channels available plus access to 000’s of On-Demand movies “Get-started” pack is $19.50 per month Sports package costs an extra $10 per month Showtime channels cost an extra $15 per month The Movie Network channels cost an extra $15 per month Entertainment package costs an extra $15 per month A London Olympics package is available for a one-off $50 fee What you need: ◦ An X-box ◦ X-box Live “Silver” or “Gold” ◦ 2.0 mb/s internet connection (or faster) ◦ Foxtel on X-box online profile Foxtel on Internet TV Exclusive with Samsung No installation required, no long-term Foxtel contract and “un-metered” if you have Bigpond broadband (from Telstra) Up to 30 channels available “Get-started” pack is $19.50 per month Sports package costs an extra $10 per month Two Showtime channels are available at a cost of an extra $15 per month The Movie Network channels are not available Entertainment package costs an extra $15 per month A London Olympics package is available for a one-off $50 fee What you need: ◦ An Internet TV (from Samsung initially) ◦ 2.0 mb/s internet connection (or faster) ◦ Foxtel on Internet TV profile Foxtel on Mobile Devices TV Guide/Remote Record: ◦ Never miss your favourite show. ◦ No matter where you are, you can view the FOXTEL Guide and set your FOXTEL iQ or iQHD to record a programme directly from any of your mobile devices. ◦ “Channel changer” feature enables you to switch channels directly from the FOXTEL Guide using your mobile device – no need to reach for the remote. Mobile Foxtel from Telstra: ◦ From July 26th Foxtel are upgrading “Mobile Foxtel” to feature new and better channels and simplifying the packages. ◦ The new Value Pack ($12 per month), contains 16 channels across all genres including: SKY NEWS NATIONAL, SKY NEWS Business, BBC World News, CNN, FOX SPORTS News, Cartoon Network, National Geographic Channel, The Weather Channel, MTV, Nickelodeon, TV1, Discovery Channel Mobile, Channel [V], MAX, ABC1 and SBS1. ◦ The Ultimate Pack ($18 per month), contains 30 channels, including all the channels in the Value Pack plus: Eurosportnews, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Nick Jr., SCI FI, E!, FOX8, The Comedy Channel, [V] HITS, Nat Geo Adventure, Arena, The LifeStyle Channel, LifeStyle YOU, and the Crime and Investigation Network. O&O G.E. Channels – Fox 8 For non-stop entertainment, pleasure seekers across Australia look no further than FOX8. With exclusive series, event television, the hottest international shows and local productions, FOX8 delivers it all, 24 hours a day. FOX8 has your entertainment needs covered. 100% high velocity TV. Popular shows on Fox 8: ◦ The Simpsons ◦ Gossip Girl ◦ Vampire Diaries ◦ Family Guy ◦ Futurama ◦ American Idol ◦ Australia's Next Top Model ◦ The Contender ◦ WWE O&O G.E. Channels – ‘W’ Note that W Channel is soon to be re-launched as SOHO Like quality drama? Love W's premium selection of the best in award-winning International and local dramas. Indulge in spectacular premieres and exciting season returns first on W and in glorious HD. Let the unforgettable stories and unmistakable characters capture your heart and mind. Popular shows on W: ◦ The Borgias ◦ The Boss ◦ The Glades ◦ Smash ◦ Shameless ◦ The Young and the Restless ◦ Law & Order ◦ Army Wives O&O G.E. Channels – Arena Watch What Happens, from the red carpet to the kitchen - ARENA has it all. Quality hit shows, Australian television premieres, compelling drama, outrageous talk, must-see sitcoms and unique reality. FOOD, FASHION, BEAUTY, DESIGN and GOSSIP You can't help but Watch What Happens Popular shows on Arena: ◦ Project Runway Australia ◦ Wag Nation ◦ Top Chef ◦ Sex and the City ◦ The Tyra Banks Show ◦ The Ellen Degeneres Show O&O G.E. Channels – 111 Hits The new home for all your favourite shows, from the 80's, 90's and today - 111 hits. Featuring some of the best television ever made from award winning comedies and critically acclaimed dramas. Popular shows on 111 Hits: ◦ Friends ◦ Baywatch ◦ Without a Trace ◦ Lost ◦ Will & Grace ◦ ER ◦ That '70s Show O&O G.E. Channels – Fox Classics FOX Classics is the only channel which showcases Classic Movies and Classic Television, 24 hours a day. Popular shows on Fox Classics: ◦ M*A*S*H ◦ Everybody Loves Raymond ◦ Spin City ◦ Home Improvement ◦ 3rd Rock from the Sun ◦ Dad’s Army ◦ Are You Being Served? 3rd Party G.E. Channels – FIC FX A brand new chapter in entertainment begins with the launch of FX in Australia. Original, high quality, drama and comedy series will provide viewers with a television experience that is more like what they expect from a visit to the cinema. Popular shows on FX: ◦ The Walking Dead ◦ Hell on Wheels ◦ Justified ◦ Call Me Fitz Other channels run by FIC in Australia include: National Geographic National Geographic Adventure National Geographice Wild 3rd Party G.E. Channels – TV1 TV1 TV1 is the home of television's greatest hits.