Streaming vs Foxtel: Which Is Better Value?
For years, Foxtel was how Australians got more than the free channels. Now streaming offers another way, and a lot of people wonder whether it’s time to switch, or whether Foxtel is still the simpler choice. Both can be good value. It depends on what you watch and how much fuss you want.
Here’s an honest comparison, in plain terms, to help you weigh it up. There’s no single right answer, but there’s usually a clear answer for your household. If you are choosing a new television too, our guide to the best smart TVs for seniors is a good place to start.
Quick answer
Streaming usually costs less and lets you pick and choose, but you do need home internet and you manage the apps yourself. Foxtel costs more but bundles everything into one familiar box and a single bill, which many people find simpler. If you want live sport and a traditional channel guide with no setup, Foxtel still suits. If you mainly watch films and series and want to save money, streaming wins on value.
How they differ
| What matters to you | Better fit |
|---|---|
| Lowest monthly cost | Streaming |
| One box, one bill, no setup | Foxtel |
| A familiar channel guide to flick through | Foxtel |
| Pay only for what you watch | Streaming |
| Watching without home internet | Foxtel by satellite |
Where streaming wins
Streaming is usually cheaper, especially if you keep to the free services and one or two paid ones. There’s no contract, so you can stop any time, and you only pay for what you actually use. You also get a huge choice of films and series on demand. The trade-off is that you need home internet, and you look after the apps and accounts yourself, which is a little more to manage.
Where Foxtel still suits
Foxtel’s strength is simplicity and live coverage. Everything comes through one box, the Foxtel iQ, on one bill, with a channel guide that works much like the television always has. There’s no app to choose and nothing to set up each time. For live sport in particular, and for anyone who’d rather not deal with the internet at all, the traditional Foxtel satellite or cable service remains a sound choice. Foxtel also offers its own streaming options now, through Binge, Kayo Sports and Foxtel Now, if you want Foxtel content without the box.
What each one costs in Australia
Rough figures help here. A full Foxtel package through the iQ box starts around $78 a month and climbs past $130 once you add sport and movies, with the box and setup often waived on a 12-month plan. Streaming is built up from smaller pieces: the free-to-air apps cost nothing, Binge starts around $10 a month, and a Kayo Sports pass is roughly $30 a month that you can stop between seasons. So a household that streams a couple of services usually pays well under a full Foxtel bill, while someone who wants every sport and channel in one place may find Foxtel simpler for the money.
A middle path
You don’t have to pick one and abandon the other. Many households keep the free ABC iview and SBS On Demand, add one streaming service for films, and take a Kayo Sports pass only during a tournament. That can work out cheaper than a full Foxtel package while still covering the big matches. If you’re not sure, try the free and low-cost options first. You can always add Foxtel later if you miss it.
If you decide streaming is worth a try, our overview of the best streaming services in Australia and our guide to what they cost will help you choose without overspending.
Before you finish
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FAQ: streaming versus Foxtel
Is streaming always cheaper than Foxtel?
Usually, if you keep to a couple of services. But if you add many paid services, the total can match or beat a Foxtel package, so it pays to keep an eye on it.
Can I keep Foxtel and still stream?
Yes. Many people do both. You can keep Foxtel and add the free ABC iview and SBS On Demand, or a single streaming service, alongside it.
Do I need internet for Foxtel?
Traditional Foxtel through a satellite or cable box doesn’t need internet for live channels. Streaming, and Foxtel’s own streaming options like Binge and Kayo, do need home internet.
Which is easier for someone not keen on technology?
Foxtel through its box is usually simpler day to day, since it’s one box and one familiar guide with nothing to set up.
What about the sport?
Foxtel still carries most live sport. You can get it through the Foxtel box, or stream it with a Kayo Sports pass without one.
