video and music streaming services in Australia

see also:

• digital TV for portable devices

• video and audio streaming services are mainly provided via your internet connection (but pay satellite is an alternative)
• these are generally provided through apps on your computer, tablet device, smartphone, smartTV or a digital TV set top box
  • if you wish to “re-wind” a Live Streaming news services such as MSNBC you will need to use a FetchTV set top box and subscription
  • if you want to view live free to air digital TV (DVB-T in Australia), you will need an appropriate antenna, 75 Ohm coax cable connected to either a digital TV set top box, a smartTV or a computer/tablet/smartphone via a DVB-T dongle - see digital TV for portable devices - this will also allow listening to DAB+ digital radio stations
  • if you want to listen DAB+ digital radio stations without a TV antenna or the internet, you will need a DAB radio or use a software defined radio (SDR) receivers set up

• no need for the internet - so this is a great option for camping - if you really feel the need for watching videos instead of connecting with nature
• no ongoing subscriptions - yes, there are free streaming services but they are very limiting and annoying
• you get to choose which version you would like - streaming services often only have one version and you may not like that version or, you may like a variety of versions
• you get to choose the quality - streaming services usually provide lower quality media to allow for more efficient streaming
• you don't lose access just because the streaming service decides to take that media down for whatever reason - they may no longer wish to pay royalties for it, etc
• companies like Apple have conned the majority into getting rid of their own copies - CDs, DVDs, MP3s, etc for the convenience of online streaming - but this ties one into their world and you become a paying subscriber for the rest of your life - often for music or videos you have paid for previously
• if you still have those CDs or DVDs, you can convert them into digital files for playing back as on your devices as many times as you like for the rest of your life without any charges and you can curate them
• for buying music for download which sends revenue to the artists, consider sites such as:
  • http://www.bandcamp.com mainly indie music; main issue is you can't see what quality files until you have paid for it
  • http://www.qobuz.com lossless streaming service but better download store; more main stream artists than bandcamp but a little more expensive and you may need to pay more for higher quality, and you need to download by an annoying app which requires frequent updating
  • you could also pay for downloads from Amazon or Apple - Amazon quality and MP3 format is probably user friendly than Apple's AAC file format.
• cheaper still, buy second hand CD's or DVDs and rip them
  • these can usually be found very cheaply as no one seems to want them anymore - perhaps this may be a big mistake - time will tell
  • you will need a cheap external DVD player and software to rip them
  • damaged discs may cause artifacts in your ripped files although some ripping software will attempt to correct these
  • how to rip to MP3 or FLAC and add id3 data from the internet:
    • MacOS: DBPowerAmp
    • Windows: Exact Audio Copy (EAC)
  • you may also need to use tag management software to add tags to the files eg. MP3Tag
• finding which release version you want
  • http://dr.loudness-war.info - lists almost 200,000 albums and their dynamic range qualities (but you may prefer different mastered versions for other reasons)

• these are a great option if you have an old analogue TV which does not have a digital TV tuner but does have HDMI input
• they also allow limited rewind and playback
• the Foxtel option also allows satellite access if you have a satellite dish but realistically, the expensive Foxtel set top box option has been made largely redundant due to:
  • NBN cable broadband or 5G mobile internet (hence Optus shut down its cable services long ago when NBN cable was rolled out)
  • Starlink satellite internet

• Fetch TV provides access to live free to air digital TV, DAB+ radio (both via antenna input) as well as a range of streamed video via your WiFi or ethernet internet (minimum 3Mbps connection) depending upon your selected subscription which as of 2025 starts at $7.99/mth for a single device limited subscription
• 4K viewing requires a 4K-capable TV, 4K content and minimum internet line speed of 15 Mbps
• see https://www.fetchtv.com.au/packages/premium-channels for the subscription packages for streamed video
• you will also need to pay for a FetchTV set top box
  • “Retail” vs “ISP-provided”:
    • you can purchase a “Retail” version from a store and sign up directly to FetchTV via the set top box interface - $1 activation fee requires a Visa or Mastercard
      • no ongoing costs to use the box as a free to air TV device but you can subscribe to various packs
      • if you are trying to activate your retail box for the FIRST time, you need to go to fetch.com.au/activate to set up your account and get your Activation Code.
      • additional retail set top boxes do not require additional $1 activation fees on the same account (max 3 boxes) and you don't need to pay an additional fee to watch your subscribed content available on your first box
    • alternatively you can sign up for this service via your ISP in which case THEY will sell you the device and activate it for you (you cannot buy a store device and use it in this scenario)
      • iiNet is ending its Fetch service provision in Oct 2025 - users will need to revert to a direct “Retail” subscription with FetchTV
      • Telstra is the only remaining ISP partnered with FetchTV
  • you can have a maximum of 3 devices per household in a “MultiRoom” arrangement on the one account - NO additional subscription is required for EACH device on a retail account (can't combine ISP-provided devices with retail devices on a retail Fetch account)
  • Fetch Mini set top box
    • this costs $AU149 and is the basic set top box which takes a 75 Ohm TV antenna input as well as WiFi connection to your home internet and outputs via HDMI to your TV
    • this service allows you to re-wind “live streamed services” such as MSNBC and is 4K capable
    • it has a remote control
  • Fetch Mighty set top box with recorder
    • as for the Mini but a much larger device which contains a 1Tb 585hrs TV record hard drive to allow use as a Personal Video Recorder which allows record, pause and rewind of live TV
    • Recording NOT available on virtual playlist channels and included free channels
    • ~$AU599
• subscriptions (incl. free Fetch Mobi app; additional packs being a further $6/mth):
  • Knowledge pack: $7.99/mth; MSNBC, CNBC, CNN, EuroNews, Bloomberg, BBC News, BBC Brit, BBC Earth, Animal Planet, Aljazeera, Discovery, Times Now, HGTV, Love Nature, France24, Curiosity, Food Network, Trvl channel;
  • Vibe pack: $7.99/mth; Espn, Stingray Hits, MTV, FashionTV
  • Variety Pack: $7.99/mth; BBC UKTV, BBC Drama, Stingray music/retro/country, Discovery Turbo, ID, MTV 80s, Oxygen True Crime, TLC, Universal TV
  • Kids Pack
  • Ultimate Pack: $24.99/mth; all the above except Kids?
  • Disney + : from $15.99/mth
• can also pay one off buy or rental fee to watch a movie from the Movie Box (you cannot transfer these to another account)

• a compact set-top box designed to aggregate streaming services and free-to-air content into one seamless interface with consolidated billing
• supports up to 4K resolution with HDR (Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG), has a Quad Core ARM processor, 4GB RAM, 16GB storage, Wi-Fi 6, Ethernet port (10/100 Mbps), and multiple HDMI 2.0 port
• runs on an Entertainment OS with support for popular global and Australian streaming apps
• provides a unified content guide across apps whereas Chromecast is app-centric and you can only search within each app
• includes TV antenna input for free to air digital TV BUT DOES NOT HAVE A DIGITAL TV tuner!

• runs on Google TV (Android), allowing full access to the Google Play Store for app downloads and sideloading, giving more app variety and flexibility than Hubbl puck
• supports device mirroring, Bluetooth audio, and Google Assistant voice control

• on-demand and live TV including sports, lifestyle, and drama
• requires Foxtel iQ5 set top box plus satellite dish or cable connection:
  • $199 for the set top box plus $35 connection fee
  • supports both traditional satellite TV and full internet streaming as well as
  • free to air digital TV via a TV antenna input
    • unlike internet on demand TV, these direct TV channels can be fully integrated into the Foxtel TV guide and enables pause, rewind, and recording of free-to-air programs through the iQ5
  • streams 4K content with adaptive internet bitrates optimized for different broadband speeds
  • can record 2 pay TV channels while watching a third, with an optional detachable 1TB hard drive module for storage (recording hours vary by resolution)
  • supports apps including Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Stan, Max (formerly HBO Max), Apple TV+, and more, as well as free-to-air catch-up apps (ABC iview, SBS On Demand, etc.)
• WARNING: despite using satellite or Foxtel cable, this does NOT provide internet services! Use Starlink satellite instead!
  • if you just need the Foxtel apps - check out the much cheaper Foxtel Now app subscriptions
• Foxtel bundles for 2 devices plus Foxtel Go mobile app (substantially cheaper on a 12 month plan):
  • Family deal
    • $108/mth (may be discounted to $60/mth); AFL, NRL, Foxtel Plus, HBO Max
  • Foxtel Plus
    • $78/mth; Foxtel Go, HBO Max basic with ads;
  • Movies
    • $103/mth; incl. Foxtel Plus
  • Sports
    • $108/mth; incl. Foxtel Plus
  • Sport + Movies
    • $133/mth; incl; Sports and Movies and thus Foxtel Plus
  • Platinum Plus:
    • $150/mth; Sport + Movies + Netflix

• these are apps which you install or your smart TV or other device and which do not require a subscription to access
• these do not provide access to free to air streaming via a TV antenna - you need digital TV for portable devices for this
• YouTube
• digital TV provider apps
  • most digital TV stations have internet-based streaming services via apps to allow internet viewing of their live TV streams as well as past content
  • these are often restricted to the country of the provider
  • SBS OnDemand
  • ABC iView
  • etc
• Tubi
  • B-grade movies, etc
• Brollie
  • classic Australian content

• these are apps which you install or your smart TV or other device and which require a subscription to access
• you are not generally able to “rewind” or “record” live streamed services but you may be able to rewind or fast forward some content such as movies, documentaries, etc
• these do not provide access to free to air streaming via a TV antenna - you need digital TV for portable devices for this

• Foxtel Group was owned by News Corp (held a controlling 65% stake), while Telstra owned the remaining 35%
• in April 2025, Foxtel Group was sold to DAZN, a British sports streaming service
• Hubbl is a subsidiary of Foxtel which owns Binge and Kayo and also markets hardware such as the Hubbl Puck

• see https://binge.com.au
• focuses on premium drama and TV - no longer has HBO
• Binge app is available on a variety of devices - see https://help.binge.com.au/s/article/Supported-Devices-Browsers
• this was initially provided by Foxtel but has been sold to a company which also provides sports streaming via Kayo
• content includes news services such as MSNBC and condensed “Mini” summaries of sports via Kayo (https://binge.com.au/collection-direct-from-kayo-collection!EpwqpjK644)
• not available in very remote Australia
• subscription as of 2025 is available on 3 levels for month-to-month subscribing (~30% discount for annual subscriptions ie $179/yr for premium):
  • basic $10/mth - 1 device only, HD video only and with ads
  • standard $19/mth - 2 devices, 4K video
  • premium $22/mth - up to 4 devices, 4K video
• offers a direct bundle with Netflix

• see https://kayosports.com.au/
• same company as Binge
• provides live streaming of much of the main sports in Australia including much of the content which is not available on Free to Air TV in Australia (as only Kayo may have the rights to this content)
• not available in very remote Australia
• subscription as of 2025 is available on 2 levels for month-to-month subscribing:
  • basic $30/mth - 1 device only, HD video
  • premium $40/mth - 2 devices, 4K video

• Foxtel Go app
• unlike normal Foxtel, does not require set top box and a satellite dish or cable connection
• subscriptions:
  • Starter: $35/mth; up to 5 devices but only can watch on 2 at once; 35 Live TV channels;
  • Sports and Movies: $84/mth; Starter + Sports + Movies; 40 Live TV channels;
  • Ultimate bundle: $104/mth; Starter + Sports + Movies + Docos / kids; 50 Live TV channels;

• formerly HBO Max
• HBO Max launched in Australia in March 2025
• HBO Max is owned and operated directly by Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), the parent company behind the HBO brand and Warner Bros content
• extensive HBO and Warner Bros. catalogue - HBO originals, blockbusters, and Max Originals, including prestige dramas and acclaimed series like those from HBO (Game of Thrones, Succession)
• subscriptions (2025):
  • Basic with Ads (2 screens, HD): AU$11.99
  • Standard (2 screens, HD, no ads, offline downloads): AU$15.99
  • Premium (4 screens, 4K, Dolby Atmos): AU$21.99

• access is free if you are an Amazon Prime subscriber for purchases of goods through Amazon online stores (costs ~$72/yr or $9.99/mth in 2025) and this provides additional benefits such as:
  • music streaming - however, the Prime Music included with Prime does not allow on-demand song selection outside of playlists, which requires the separate Amazon Music Unlimited subscription for full on-demand access and higher quality formats.
  • online store discounts at times
  • expedited free delivery - hence if you use Amazon online stores a lot this probably is a no-brainer
• you still may need to pay additional one off fees to “rent” certain content such as some movies
• extensive movies and series, plus add-on channels

• broad range of originals and licensed content
• subscriptions (2025):
  • Standard with Ads: AU$7.99 (limited catalog and ads)
  • Standard (no ads, 2 screens HD): AU$18.99 to AU$20.99
  • Premium (4 screens, 4K): AU$25.99 to AU$28.99

• Australian-based with a mix of local originals and international hits
• Standard plan 2025 (no ads mentioned, 2 screens, HD streaming): ~AU$17.00
• Stan Sport is an add-on

• Pay-per-view movies

• covers mainly football/soccer

• global content and CBS library
• AU$11.99 (ad-supported), AU$17.99 (ad-free)

• Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar content
• AU$15.99 (ad-supported), AU$22.99 (ad-free)

• original series and films produced by Apple
• AU$15.99 (ad-free)

• essentially provides YouTube content without the annoying ads but is very expensive
• see https://www.youtube.com/premium
• individual subscriptions:
  • Premium Lite = $8.99/mth with some ads
  • Premium = $16.99/mth with no ads, allows download and offline playback
• family subscriptions:
  • Premium = $39.99/mth

• British TV content
• AU$10.99 (ad-supported), AU$13.99 (ad-free)

• mystery and drama from the UK and beyond
• AU$8.99 (likely no ads)

• reality TV, especially from the US
• AU$7.99 (ad-supported)

• anime-focused

• documentaries, arthouse, and indie films
  • DocPlay, Kanopy, Mubi, iwonder
• topical, horror, and specialty content
  • CuriosityStream, Shudder, AMC+

• these will nearly always have ads and you will not usually be able to randomly play a playlist and this may significantly impact your listening pleasure

• these do not need the internet but do need a radio receiver (or a software defined radio (SDR) receivers) and a suitable antenna plus a location adequate to receive the line of sight radio transmission
• in Australia, there are 3 main radio broadcasts:
  • FM radio
    • this is the most commonly available but may not be accessible in regional areas and stations change for each region
  • AM radio
    • this is the older style radio and still in use, and may be the main radio for remote areas - with an appropriate antenna
  • DAB+ digital radio
    • probably provides the greatest variety and accessibility on radio IF you have a DAB radio or you have a software defined radio (SDR) receivers set up

• radio station apps
  • as for normal radio but accessible via internet and not needing an antenna, radio receiver, etc
• free Spotify version
  • yes its free but the ads and inability to randomly play back your play lists will drive you crazy
  • plus the music codec on Spotify is not the best but you can access millions of other public playlists to allow exploring new genres
• free Youtube
  • requires a bit of work to find channels with limited ads which suit your listening preferences and requires more bandwidth as they are videos

• music codec on Spotify is not the best
• subscriptions:
  • $15.99/month, ad-free, offline listening, high audio quality, 15 hours audiobook listening monthly
  • Family plan (up to 6 users): $27.99/month, Spotify Kids app, parental controls, 15 hours audiobook time for plan manager

• better music codec than Spotify and you can use your AppleID account to access the music on a Android device via the official Apple Music app from the Google Play Store
• Individual plan: Around $12.99-$15.99/month

• see https://www.youtube.com/musicpremium
• $12.99/mth for ad-free, offline and with screen off ($22.99/mth for family)
• included with YouTube Premium subscription which would be the better option as it is $16.99/mth

• HD and Ultra HD streaming available, offline listening, no ads
• included with Amazon Prime subscriptions however, the Prime Music included with Prime does not allow on-demand song selection outside of playlists, which requires the separate Amazon Music Unlimited subscription for full on-demand access and higher quality formats.
• Amazon Music Unlimited subscription:
  • Individual plan: ~$12/month (Amazon Music Unlimited)
  • Family plan: ~$18/month

• Individual plan: Approximately AU$17/month, lossless CD-quality audio, hi-res tracks, immersive sound formats like Dolby Atmos, offline listening