Foxtel vs. Austar — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 31, 2024
Foxtel is a major Australian pay television company, while Austar was a regional provider absorbed by Foxtel in 2012.
Difference Between Foxtel and Austar
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Foxtel, established in 1995, has been a leading provider of subscription television in Australia, offering a wide range of channels and content, including sports, movies, and international TV shows. It operates primarily in metropolitan areas and offers cable, satellite, and streaming services. Whereas Austar, founded in 1995 as well, focused on serving regional and rural areas of Australia until it was acquired by Foxtel in 2012. This acquisition allowed Foxtel to expand its reach beyond urban centers, integrating Austar's subscriber base into its own.
Foxtel has consistently invested in exclusive content and technology upgrades, such as the iQ series of DVRs and the streaming service Foxtel Now. This has positioned it as a premium provider of entertainment in Australia. On the other hand, Austar was known for its focus on customer service and providing a selection of channels that catered to the interests of its regional audience, including a strong lineup of sports and local content until its merger.
The acquisition of Austar by Foxtel was a strategic move to consolidate the pay TV market in Australia, reducing competition and creating a single, dominant player. While Foxtel continued to innovate with new services like Foxtel Go and Foxtel Now, Austar's brand and services were phased out, marking the end of an era for regional pay TV services.
Foxtel's broader service offering, including internet and mobile services, contrasts with Austar's more focused approach on satellite TV. This has allowed Foxtel to offer bundled services, appealing to a wider range of customer needs beyond traditional TV viewing.
While Austar was integral in bringing pay TV to areas previously underserved, Foxtel's acquisition meant a unified service offering across Australia, streamlining operations and potentially offering a wider variety of content to all subscribers, albeit with the loss of a brand that had a strong regional identity.
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Comparison Chart
Foundation Year
1995
1995
Coverage
National, with a focus on urban areas
Regional and rural Australia
Services
Cable, satellite, and streaming services
Mainly satellite TV services
Technology
IQ series DVRs, Foxtel Go, Foxtel Now
Standard satellite services
Post-2012 Status
Continues as a dominant provider
Merged into Foxtel, ceased operations
Compare with Definitions
Foxtel
Foxtel's services are available in both urban and, after acquiring Austar, rural areas.
Foxtel expanded its satellite service nationwide following the Austar merger.
Austar
Primarily served rural and regional areas with satellite TV.
Austar was the main pay TV provider in remote Australian locations.
Foxtel
Continuously updates its technology, offering advanced DVRs and streaming options.
The Foxtel iQ4 box supports 4K video content.
Austar
Mainly relied on standard satellite TV technology without advanced features.
Austar's set-top boxes were simpler, focusing on basic functionality.
Foxtel
It provides services like Foxtel Go and Foxtel Now for streaming content online.
With Foxtel Go, subscribers can watch live TV on their mobile devices.
Austar
Known for its strong customer service tailored to regional audiences.
Austar offered personalized customer support for its subscribers.
Foxtel
Offers a wide variety of international and local TV shows, movies, and sports.
Foxtel has exclusive rights to HBO content in Australia.
Austar
Offered a selection of channels that included sports and local interest.
Austar provided channels specific to the interests of its regional audience.
Foxtel
Foxtel offers a broad spectrum of content including live sports, movies, and original series.
Foxtel broadcasts exclusive NRL and AFL games, attracting sports enthusiasts.
Austar
In 2012, Austar was acquired by Foxtel, ceasing its operations as a separate entity.
Austar customers were transitioned to Foxtel services after the merger.
Foxtel
Foxtel is an Australian pay television company—operating in cable television, direct broadcast satellite television, and IPTV streaming services. It was formed in April 2018, superseding an earlier company from 1995.
Austar
Austar was an Australian telecommunications company. Its main business activity was subscription television but it has also been involved with internet access and mobile phones.
Common Curiosities
What was Austar?
Austar was a satellite TV service provider focused on regional and rural Australia, merged into Foxtel in 2012.
What is Foxtel?
Foxtel is a leading subscription television service provider in Australia, offering a wide range of content including sports, movies, and international shows.
Can I still subscribe to Austar?
No, Austar has been fully integrated into Foxtel, and its services are no longer available under the Austar brand.
How has Foxtel's content offering changed since acquiring Austar?
Foxtel has continued to enhance its content offering, including securing exclusive rights to international shows and sports, expanding its on-demand library, and launching streaming services.
What technology does Foxtel use?
Foxtel uses cable, satellite, and streaming technologies, including advanced DVRs like the iQ series and online platforms like Foxtel Go and Foxtel Now.
Can I access Foxtel's services online?
Yes, Foxtel offers online streaming through Foxtel Go and Foxtel Now, providing live and on-demand content to subscribers.
Why did Foxtel acquire Austar?
The acquisition allowed Foxtel to expand its services nationwide, reducing competition and creating a unified subscription TV service in Australia.
Did Austar offer internet services?
Austar primarily focused on satellite TV services and did not offer internet services as part of its portfolio.
Is Foxtel available in rural areas?
Yes, after acquiring Austar, Foxtel expanded its satellite service to cover both urban and rural areas across Australia.
Does Foxtel offer any services that Austar didn't?
Yes, Foxtel offers advanced DVR options, streaming services, and a broader content library, including exclusive international media rights.
What impact did the merger have on the Australian pay TV market?
The merger consolidated the market, reducing competition and creating a dominant player in Foxtel, potentially affecting consumer choice and pricing.
What are the main differences between Foxtel and Austar?
The main differences include their coverage areas, with Foxtel focusing on a national scale and Austar on regional areas, and their service offerings, with Foxtel providing a wider range of technologies and content.
What happened to Austar's subscribers after the merger?
Austar's subscribers were transitioned to Foxtel, gaining access to a wider range of services and content.
Were Austar's customer services integrated into Foxtel?
Yes, Austar's customer service operations were integrated into Foxtel, aiming to maintain high service standards for all subscribers.
What unique features did Austar offer to its customers?
Austar was known for its strong customer service, focus on regional content, and its ability to provide satellite TV services to remote and rural areas of Australia.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
