Fetch TV

Last updated

Fetch TV
Company typeIndependent Pay TV Provider
Industry Internet television
FoundedJuly 2010
Headquarters
North Sydney
,
Australia
Area served
Australia
Products Independent, IPTV, Pay-per-view, Pay television
Owner Telstra (51.4%)
Astro Malaysia Holdings (48.6%)
Website www.fetchtv.com.au

Fetch TV is an Australian IPTV provider that offers a subscription television service over a user's regular internet connection. It is majority owned by Telstra, who acquired a 51.4% stake in the company on the 2nd of August 2022. [1] Fetch TV was initially launched in July 2010 by Malaysian Astro Malaysia Holdings. [2] [3]

Contents

Fetch TV provides a set-top box with a digital TV tuner, a personal video recorder, and up to 45 subscription channels. It also offers video-on-demand, pay-per-view movies, web applications, and a mobile app. [4]

The service is delivered using HLS adaptive bitrate streaming. The minimum internet sync speed required varies depending on the ISP delivery method. Most of Fetch TV's content is unmetered when delivered over a broadband connection from a Fetch TV ISP partner. [5]

History

Models and Features

Fetch TV offers two set-top boxes: the Mighty and the Mini. The Mighty allows access to 4K programming, along with serving as a 1 TB DVR media hub with four tuners, while the Mini is limited to 1080p HD with a limited pause buffer and can use the Mighty as its host for a multi-room setup. Both come with over-the-air antenna tuners in addition to Fetch programming.

Subscriber Base

Fetch TV Australia faced significant competition in the marketplace from rivals like Foxtel and Telstra TV. In 2014, mainstream technology and financial media sources suggested that the service needed to increase its subscriber base to thrive. [9] In response, the company stated in 2013 that it had strategies in place to achieve success and significantly increase its subscription base. [10] [11]

In early 2016, it was revealed that the service had 400,000 active subscribers and aimed to reach 600,000 by the end of the year. [3] This goal was achieved in late 2017, with Fetch citing the growth of Australia's National Broadband Network as a key driver. On the back of the NBN, Fetch added an average of 20,000 customers per month in 2017. [12]

The service operates an industry TV ratings app that provides an indication of which boxes are subscribed at any given time and which channels have what share of their audience. [13]

Subscription channels

Fetch TV has broadcast rights to channels from Paramount Networks, BBC Studios, NBCUniversal & Warner Bros. Discovery.

As of 2 October 2023, the following Fetch Channel Packages are offered: [14]

Kids Channels (7 channels)

Knowledge Channels (18 channels)

Vibe Channels (10 channels)

Variety Channels (10 channels)

Ultimate Pack

The Ultimate Pack includes all four 'skinny' channel packs: Kids, Knowledge, Vibe, and Variety.

Note:
1 These channels are exclusively available through Fetch TV in Australia.
2 This channel is a different version to the one provided by the Seven Network on free-to-air television until December 2019.
3 Content from this channel is available on demand.

Special Interest Packs

As of December 2020, the following channels are offered through the Fetch TV Special Interest Packs in Australia:

Fetch offers UFC pay-per-view fights at $54.95 AUD per event.

Note:
1 These channels are exclusively available through Fetch TV in Australia.

Former Channels

The following channels were available on Fetch TV but are no longer in service:

Ultimate Pack Channel List

The following channels are included in the Ultimate Pack:

Note:
1 These channels are exclusively available through Fetch TV in Australia.
2 This channel is a different version to the one provided by the Seven Network on free-to-air television until December 2019.

World Language Channels

Apps

Fetch boxes receive the following apps:

Note:
1 Appears in 'Catch Up' menu.
2 Appears in 'TV' menu.

See also

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References

  1. "Telstra Completes Its Majority Acquisition of Fetch TV". Mediaweek. 3 August 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  2. "New FetchTV Box + Service Review: It's a Game Changer". Delimiter. LeMay & Galt Media. 3 April 2013. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  3. 1 2 Mason, Max (29 May 2016). "Fetch TV Keeps Challenger Mindset While Aiming for 600,000 Subscribers". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  4. Turner, Adam (16 February 2014). "Fetch TV vs. Telstra T-Box: Which Is the Best PVR?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  5. "FetchTV: An Updated Review for 2012". Delimiter. LeMay & Galt Media. 9 March 2012. Retrieved 14 April 2014.
  6. "FetchTV Update 15 June 2016" (PDF).
  7. French, Stephen (24 February 2017). "Fetch TV goes "Skinny" with new and affordable channel packs". Tech Guide. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  8. Knox, David (25 July 2017). "UFC joins Fetch". TV Tonight . Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  9. Ramli, David (25 January 2014). "Optus, iiNet join Fetch in ad campaign". Australian Financial Review. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  10. Polites, Harrison (22 July 2013). "Poor metrics cast a shadow over Fetch TV's growth plans". Technology Spectator. Business Spectator Pty Ltd.
  11. Hutchinson, James (11 May 2011). "FetchTV eyes top 10 ISPs to take on Telstra". Computerworld. IDG Communications. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
  12. Groves, Don (2 October 2017). "Fetch's growth spurt outpaces Foxtel and Stan". if.com.au. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  13. "Fetch TV creates a new ratings app but downplays the potential to challenge Oztam". Mumbrella. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  14. "Fetch TV - Packages". Fetch TV. Retrieved 8 December 2016.