Foxtel and Samsung get into bed together, making sweet sweet IPTV love — Televised Revolution

We are through the looking glass, people.

From today, Foxtel is now available for consumers to access by way of Samsung smart TV’s. This represents the first smart TV manufacturer to make Foxtel available as an IPTV service. Reports earlier this year indicated that this was to happen in April.

Jim Rudder, Foxtel Executive Director of Product is quoted in the media release as saying:

“Our partnership with Samsung is part of a plan to broaden our distribution through other platforms and is an opportunity to reach even more people.

“As the quality of the TV experience over broadband has improved, people have become more willing to consume content in different ways and as such it presents a great opportunity to distribute our programs that wasn’t previously there. With the explosion of connected devices now upon us, this opportunity is only going to grow, and it’s something we believe is highly complementary to our existing service.

“Foxtel has always been in the business of providing more choice, and constant renewal has been at the heart of how we do it. We’ll have other new and exciting announcements along these lines in the months to come.”

This follows Foxtel signing partnerships with others to deliver their subscription service to the XBox 360 and to the Telstra T-Box. A similar selection of channels with be made available to Samsung TV users.

The move is interesting for two key reasons.

Firstly, the availability on the Samsung smart TV platform marks the first time that Foxtel has made its IPTV service available onto a connected TV product that isn’t a peripheral. That is to say that there is no third party device positioned between the user and the screen. This means that potential subscribers for whom a cable/satellite Foxtel subscription isn’t an option don’t have to buy a game system or add-on set top box in order to access the Foxtel service. Instead it is possible through the household Internet connection.

Secondly, there has been considerable talk lately about Foxtel possibly repositioning itself in the not so distant future through moves like bringing all of its movies and premium TV content in-house (rather than to allow that to be provided by channels that Foxtel don’t own), thereby opening Foxtel up to being able to develop different product offerings in the future beyond their current subscription packages. If this does indeed come to pass, one of the key moves Foxtel would need to make is to ensure their offerings are available across as many platforms as possible. It would require signing deals such as this with current offering through Samsung.

I wouldn’t at all be surprised to hear of a similar deal with Sony in the very near future. And then Google TV. And Apple TV. And so on….

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The media release:

MEDIA RELEASE: Wednesday, July 4, 2012

FOXTEL AND SAMSUNG TO OFFER

FOXTEL CHANNELS ON SELECTED SAMSUNG SMART TVs

Foxtel and Samsung Electronics Australia have launched Foxtel on Internet TV — a selection of what Foxtel has to offer via internet delivery — on compatible Samsung Smart TVs[1] — available from today.

This partnership brings together two of Australia’s leading brands, and gives Samsung a new entertainment platform within their Smart TV product range which offers games, movies, TV, music, sport and social entertainment.

Foxtel on Internet TV allows owners of compatible Samsung Smart TVs1 to watch up to 30 live streaming Foxtel channels including FOX8, Discovery, FOOTY PLAY powered by FOX Sports, showcase, ESPN, Cartoon Network and other leading channel brands without the need for a lock-in contract or a Foxtel set-top-box installation.

Jim Rudder, Foxtel Executive Director of Product said, “Our partnership with Samsung is part of a plan to broaden our distribution through other platforms and is an opportunity to reach even more people.

“As the quality of the TV experience over broadband has improved, people have become more willing to consume content in different ways and as such it presents a great opportunity to distribute our programs that wasn’t previously there. With the explosion of connected devices now upon us, this opportunity is only going to grow, and it’s something we believe is highly complementary to our existing service.

“Foxtel has always been in the business of providing more choice, and constant renewal has been at the heart of how we do it. We’ll have other new and exciting announcements along these lines in the months to come.”

Evan Manolis, Group Manager, AV at Samsung Electronics Australia said, “Samsung’s goal is the easy access to a wide range of content all from the comfort of the lounge room. Samsung Smart TV apps are accessed over 1?2 million times each month showing the increasing demand from Australian consumers.

“We are working closely with Foxtel so Australians will be able to view a diverse range of their premium content direct to their compatible Samsung Smart TVs1. We are delighted with the partnership as it will deliver on our promise to our customers to offer more and more choice.”

As part of the service launch customers who purchase a participating Samsung Smart TV from a participating retailer between 1 July and 2 September are eligible to receive a free2 three-month subscription to the Foxtel on Internet TV Get Started Package. The package includes: FOX8, MTV, Nickelodeon, Channel [V], LifeStyle YOU, Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, TV1, SKY NEWS, FOX Sports News and Cartoon Network. Popular programming titles in July available in the Get Started package include Falling Skies, Made in Chelsea, The Pauly D Project, Camp Orange: Girls vs Boys, America’s Next Top Model, The Simpsons, The Riff and WWE.

Foxtel on Internet TV customers can also choose from a range of additional packages covering Entertainment, Sports, FOOTY PLAY powered by FOX Sports, and Showtime Movies packages, which will offer streamed channels.

More information about Foxtel on Internet TV packages can be found online: www.foxtel.com.au/internettv/packages.

Foxtel on Internet TV is available across Australia. All you need is a compatible Samsung Smart TV1 and a broadband internet connection to download the Foxtel App and start watching. Samsung Smart TVs are entertainment hubs with access to various content choices, and display stunning pictures and sound.

Customers must register online to receive this service at www.foxtel.com.au/internettv.Please note this service is available in Standard Definition only and is delivered over the internet to residential customers. Telstra residential BigPond® broadband customers (excluding BigPond® dial-up, satellite and hourly plans) are not charged for any data when watching video content on Foxtel on Internet TV via a compatible Samsung Smart TV1. Customers should check with their ISP to discuss how this service may affect their internet usage.