Foxtel Digital
 |
|
| Type | Pay TV, Broadband and Phone |
|---|---|
| Country | Australia |
| Availability | Satellite, Cable, IPTV |
| Founded | 22 October 1995 |
| Slogan | Make it Yours |
|
Broadcast area
|
Australia |
| Parent |
News Corp (50%) (through News Corp Australia) Telstra (50%) |
|
Official website
|
www.foxtel.com.au |
Foxtel is an Australian pay television company, operating a duopoly in cable television, a monopoly in direct broadcast satellite television, and IPTV catch-up services. It was formed in 1995 through a joint venture established between News Corporation (now News Corp; through News Limited, now News Corp Australia) (FOX) and Telstra (TEL). Both of the owning companies are 50% shareholders. It shares many features with the Sky service in the United Kingdom, including iQ, the electronic program guide, a similar remote control, and Red Button Active.
In 1995, a venture between News Corporation (in particular 20th Century Fox Media) and Telstra took place whereby Telstra would transmit a TV signal through its coaxial network and News Corporation would be the basis for offering channel negotiations and connections. Foxtel was formed ("Fox" representing News Corporation's Fox and "Tel" representing Telstra). On 23 October 1995, Foxtel commenced a 20 channel service, delivered over the Telstra Hybrid Fibre Coaxial network.
In May 1998, Australis Media, the owner of a satellite television service known as Galaxy, was declared insolvent. In June 1998, Foxtel was able to significantly boost its customer base by acquiring Galaxy subscribers from the liquidator of Australis Media and immediately commenced supplying programming to Galaxy's subscribers on an interim basis. In February 1999, Foxtel began offering its own satellite service to new customers.
Publishing and Broadcasting Limited bought half of News Corporations shares in October 1998, giving each quarter ownership.
In 2002, a Content Sharing Agreement between Foxtel and Optus Television was approved by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
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