FOXTEL and AUSTAR unite to deliver new national television service to consumers

FOXTEL and AUSTAR have completed their merger transaction, creating a national subscription television service that will deliver innovative new digital products and content for all Australian consumers.

The new FOXTEL will directly employ approximately 2,500 people, service 2.2 million subscriber households, and entertain over seven million viewers each week.

Says Richard Freudenstein, FOXTEL chief executive: “This is a great day for FOXTEL and AUSTAR customers, and for all consumers wanting world-leading home entertainment. The new national FOXTEL will offer the widest range of high quality channels, the most innovative technology and best customer service of any television provider in Australia.

“We will physically bring the FOXTEL and AUSTAR platforms together over the coming months. Soon consumers will receive the same great FOXTEL content whether you live in regional Australia or the cities. AUSTAR customers will not need to do anything; they will transition seamlessly to FOXTEL.

“The scale of our new business means that we have the resources to keep innovating and improving our services. We are particularly pleased to be able to offer existing FOXTEL content to our new customers in regional Australia and we will take some of the extra content that AUSTAR offers and bring it to FOXTEL’s existing customers.”

The immediate benefit to AUSTAR customers in joining FOXTEL includes FOXTEL’s ground-breaking LONDON 2012 Olympic Games coverage in July. AUSTAR’s sports subscribers will join all other FOXTEL sports package subscribers in receiving FOXTEL’s exclusive coverage at no additional charge. Eight dedicated channels, providing the most comprehensive live coverage in the history of the Games.

From July 1, there will be an improved channel line-up for all subscribers.

Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo Wild and MTV Live will be available to AUSTAR subscribers in high definition (HD) for the first time. Eurosportnews is moving into Starter Pack and MTV Hits and MTV Live will be added to the Fun Option.

FOXTEL customers will receive two new 24 hour English language news channels, Al Jazeera and CCTV News. W and TCM will also move to the FOXTEL Get Started package.

Plans are well advanced for the integration of the two businesses and there will be more exciting developments for customers in coming months. Details of organisational and product changes will be made once details are finalised.