Is Foxtel worth it?

[Comet]

Not having had Foxtel ever in my life, is it worth it? I see that they're having a promotion where Foxtel IQ is free for the 12 months. Would appreciate your opinion. Also is it really worth the difference to go Foxtel HD? Thanks in advance.

[Rogerthatv2]

We have the IQ2 and love it, not sure if it is worth the $130.00 a month we pay for it but the 2 free HD movies each month and the ease of use of the IQ2 / IQ is great, best PVR I have used. The HD channels at this stage are OK but hopefully they will start bringing out some new HD channels and shows soon.

I have also been told that the IQ2 has 4 tuners for use for some big plans early next year.

All in all we love our Foxtel and can highly recommend it.

[Taezar]

Give me Foxtel IQ or give me death.

RAWR!

(I don't have IQ2 - yet).

[shortlex]

Foxtel is fairly cool, I was watching the Obama speech live, it was inspirational!

[Scooterpig]

I have Austar and have had so for a few years now, so whilst not Foxtel, much of a muchness other than the FTA channels we don't get on Sat, but otherwise same channels so i can speak.

Personally I wouldn't bother with IQ. Reason being everything that's on Pay TV is repeated so much it's a joke, plus they have the +2 channels for a few so your chances or missing a show is minimal.

As for Pay TV itself, unfortunately due to their being only the 1 small competitor in this small country they have the monopoly so don't really care so much what they show, including shows form 18 years ago listed as new! COPS in point.

But depends what you want to watch and what you can afford as a full package isn't cheap, so better to have a look at their site and see if their channel packages appeal to you.

The small competitor I mentioned is SelectTV. They are very well priced and you are allowed to sue your own gear, but they have limited channels unfortunately, but a few that Fox or Austar don't have. So check them out to just for ya info.

It basically boils down to what you want to watch and what you can afford...

[Balthazar]

My parents got Foxtel about 2 days after i moved out of home (this was about 5 years ago) and all i ever see them use it for is better reception on free to air (they get very poor reception off the antenna)

Money well spent? they would say so.

[shortlex]

Originally Posted by Balthazar

My parents got Foxtel about 2 days after i moved out of home (this was about 5 years ago) and all i ever see them use it for is better reception on free to air (they get very poor reception off the antenna)

Money well spent? they would say so.

Your dad should tune into the History Channel! He would LOVE it

[iFanboy]

Originally Posted by shortlex

Foxtel is fairly cool, I was watching the Obama speech live, it was inspirational!

Yeah but I was watching it in HD on Seven.

[Ben™]

Too expensive for what each package provides.

With the new FTA Digital services coming in 2009, I'm expecting Foxtel will need to step up their game in regards to value, so as to keep people subscribed.

[Comet]

Hmmm.... I guess for $40 a month (probably will go with the minimum package), I can let my wife sit in front of the TV while I go out :P

Thanks for the feedback so far. Seems like I may or may not need IQ, but I guess it's free so might as well get it.

[Balthazar]

Originally Posted by shortlex

Your dad should tune into the History Channel! He would LOVE it

Im afraid you dont know my Dad, anything that vaguely resembles educational TV is not desired viewing by his standards

[morgan]

when you are tired of foxtel you are tired of life.

[iFanboy]

Originally Posted by morgan

when you are tired of foxtel you are tired of life.

When you are tired of life you watch Foxtel

[macrich]

In a word, NO
It's only worth it if you've never had cable before or if it's been a good 5 years since you've had it connected. Otherwise, you're just paying for a huge amount of repeats and ancient programming.

I got rid of my IQ2 and have never looked back. I now enjoy what AppleTV has to offer not to mention I've started actually watching the 3000+ DVD's that I've amassed over the years.

[Exocet]

I've got an iQ, waiting for more HD channels before hitting the iQ2.

[nez]

i don't think it's worth it. i subscrbed so i could watch afl during the season but now that's it over , I don't even touch it. 56 bucks a month for nothing.

[EdgeOfQuarrel]

Originally Posted by Balthazar

My parents got Foxtel about 2 days after i moved out of home (this was about 5 years ago) and all i ever see them use it for is better reception on free to air (they get very poor reception off the antenna)

Money well spent? they would say so.

same reason I had it.only shut off about a month ago cause i'm moving and my contract was finished anyway.
I had the basic package that was fine for me.

[kyncaid]

If you get it you must get IQ, i just wish it was cheeper

[adamd]

Programming is shite. Really shite.
I spent almost an hour looking for something to watch the other night. Not cool.

[Dust For Eyes]

With video on demand (legal and otherwise) I don't see the appeal of pay tv at all.

Sport would be the only exception, although I rarely feel like 24 month commitments to handing over cash just to watch the slow torture of the Australian cricket team getting their ass kicked in India.

I'd rather spend the extra cash on beefing up your download quota on your ISP plan and go nuts there.