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FOXTEL Multiroom Outlets - Prices Options FAQs

admin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:52:00 GMT

Sick of fighting over the TV when you want to watch you're favourite programs? Perhaps the family is getting bigger or you would like some intimate time alone to watch you want? Well it could be about time to give the kid's their own dedicated FOXTEL service (which can be monitored and controlled by the way) in a separate room, or set up another TV in you're bedroom? FOXTEL Multiroom can do this, and what's more, it will only cost you a small fee.

What is FOXTEL Multiroom
Essentially, FOXTEL Multiroom is another Pay TV outlet with an additional Set-top-Box that you can tack on your existing FOXTEL Subscription at anytime. FOXTEL Multiroom can be installed in any room of your home and gives everyone the ability to watch different programs at the same time. That's right, no more fights over the remote... which means more peace of mind for you to enjoy. More than two TV's? Don't worry additional FOXTEL Multiroom outlets can be installed into 3, 4 or more rooms if required.

How much does FOXTEL Multiroom cost
FOXTEL Multiroom starts at $20 for a standard set-top-box. But hang on! If you subscribe to a FOXTEL Pay TV package with a FOXTEL iQ or FOXTEL iQ2 set-top-box then you can get a discounted price of only $15 per standard outlet (standard metropolitan installation). If that's not enough.... The current FOXTEL Special Offer is giving you a FOXTEL iQ set-top-box for free over the first 12 months which means you'll only have to pay for any additional FOXTEL Multiroom outlets that you want. Not bad huh!

Want to know more, or perhaps you've read enough and you want FOXTEL Multiroom now? The call a friendly FOXTEL Customer Representative on 1300 760 457 and get your FOXTEL Multiroom happening now!

Search and compare FOXTEL Pay TV Packages right here at Youcompare. Learn more about FOXTEL iQ Value Packs and FOXTEL iQ2 Value Packs (which include FOXTEL HD Packages).

New FOXTEL iQ Value Pack Prices and New HD Channels

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:24:00 GMT

FOXTEL has launched 30 new standard and high definition pay TV channels in a $50 million dollar upgrade. The new FOXTEL services will be transmitted via the recent Optus D3 satellite that was launched back in August this year. From November 15, FOXTEL subscribers can expect to see 12 new standard definition channels that consist of: 13th Street; Discovery Turbo MAX; Eurosport; Family Movie Channel; KidsCO; LifeStyle YOU; NAT GEO WILD; showtime action; showtime comedy; showtime drama; STARPICS; and The Style Network.

New High Definition Channels will consist of: Discovery HD; ESPN HD; FOX8 HD; FOX SPORTS 1 HD; FOX SPORTS 2 HD; FOX SPORTS 3 HD; MOVIE ONE HD; National Geographic HD; showcase HD; showtime action HD; showtime premiere HD; STARPICS 1 HD; STARPICS 2 HD; W HD; UKTV HD.

Many of the channels are new, while some appear to be optimised HD upgrades and others seem to be replacements for existing channels. Another new feature incorporated into the FOXTEL pay TV product is a new download service. FOXTEL Download, using a FOXTEL Download player, will allow users to get FOXTEL programs downloaded directly to their Windows based PC's to watch on demand. This service is included for 'free' in your FOXTEL subscription, incorporates many features, and includes the ability to watch FOXTEL Box Office Movies. The only downside is that content is metered, which means broadband usage costs for the data downloaded will be charged to you by your Internet Service Provider.

FOXTEL Box Office will also come in HD while new showtime family and showtime horror channels, along with MOVIE ACTION, MOVIE COMEDY and MOVIE DRAMA channels will be available for downloading only.

That's not all. To coincide with the FOXTEL upgrade, FOXTEL have released some great value-for-money pay TV package combinations called 'iQ Value Packs'. Discounted prices are available when selecting a package combination that consists of a FOXTEL iQ Value Pack. So not only can you save money by selecting an IQ Value Pack, you're also be eligible to receive a number of free inclusions such as a free FOXTEL iQ set-top-box or free FOXTEL iQ2 set-top-box (after installation); 2 x FOXTEL Box Office Movies; and a free monthly FOXTEL Magazine.

FOXTEL Family iQ Value Pack - $72

Get Started; Kids & Music; Drama & Lifestyle; Knowledge & Adventure; FOXTEL Downloads; FOXTEL iQ set-top-box

FOXTEL Sports iQ Value Pack - $88

Get Started; Kids & Music; Drama & Lifestyle; Knowledge & Adventure; Sports; FOXTEL Downloads; FOXTEL iQ set-top-box

FOXTEL Movies iQ Value Pack - $88

Get Started; Kids & Music; Drama & Lifestyle; Knowledge & Adventure; 1 x Movie Pack; FOXTEL Downloads; FOXTEL iQ set-top-box

FOXTEL Gold iQ Value Pack - $100

Get Started; Kids & Music; Drama & Lifestyle; Knowledge & Adventure; Sports; 1 x Movie Pack; FOXTEL Downloads; FOXTEL iQ set-top-box

FOXTEL HD Gold iQ Value Pack - $116

Get Started; Kids & Music; Drama & Lifestyle; Knowledge & Adventure; Sports; 1 x Movie Pack; FOXTEL Downloads; HD; FOXTEL Downloads; FOXTEL iQ2 set-top-box

FOXTEL Platinum iQ Value Pack - $120

Get Started; Kids & Music; Drama & Lifestyle; Knowledge & Adventure; Sports; Movie Network; Showtime Movies; 2 x FOXTEL Box Office Movies; FOXTEL Magazine; FOXTEL Downloads; FOXTEL iQ set-top-box

FOXTEL Platinum HD iQ Value Pack - $135

Get Started; Kids & Music; Drama & Lifestyle; Knowledge & Adventure; Sports; Movie Network; Showtime Movies; 2 x FOXTEL Box Office Movies; FOXTEL Magazine; FOXTEL Downloads; FOXTEL iQ2 set-top-box

Customise FOXTEL Pay TV Channel Packages and iQ Value Packs right here using our Pay TV Package Picker. Once a value pack is triggered, the discounted price will appear. If you wish to find out more, simply click on the 'Package Details button' or call a friendly FOXTEL Customer Service Representative using the number provided.

Anti-Siphoning Reform - New Broadcast Laws for Sports TV

admin — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:02:00 GMT

Anti-Siphoning Reform Debate:

Australian anti-siphoning laws delegate which television channels are allowed to show sporting events. Currently, free-to-air providers, such as channels 7, 9, and 10, are allowed to pick which sporting events they would like broadcast. If the free-to-air providers do not want to broadcast an event, subscriber-based television stations, such as FOXTEL and AUSTAR, are then allowed the option of broadcasting that event.

The subscriber-based television networks have pushed for a government review of the anti-siphoning laws, specifically in regard to sporting events such as the Olympics, tennis, and rugby. FOXTEL’s CEO is an advocate for a system whereby the subscriber-based stations are allowed to broadcast events that currently are not even reviewed by the free-to-air providers. They would like to see a 'Use it or Lose it' system come into play. The free-to-air providers, represented as a group by Free TV Australia, have also begun arguing for a change in the anti-siphoning laws. They would like to extend the reach of the anti-siphoning laws to the internet, in the form of Internet protocol television (or IPTV) which could really turn the current Australian Anti-siphoning laws and guidelines upside down.

For consumers, the change in these laws offers both advantages and disadvantages. Under the current system, anyone with access to a television can watch sports for free. If the anti-siphoning laws are changed or removed, there is the potential that certain sports will no longer be accessible to those who do not pay for television. On the flip-side, many sporting events are currently difficult to find on the free-to-air providers, or are exclusively broadcast in certain formats, such as high definition, that make viewing difficult for numerous consumers.

Additionally, the potential restriction of the internet brings up an interesting point which is potentially threatening to the existence of the free-to-air providers. If content can be broadcast unrestricted over the internet, why does it need to be through the form of traditional television broadcasting at all? If Australians can access the content they want, whenever they want it, without the use of a television, the need for anti-siphoning laws becomes a moot point. The impending government review of the anti-siphoning laws therefore marks a pivotal change in how sporting events, but to a larger extent, content itself, is accessed, displayed, and consumed in Australia. Consumers would be well advised to ‘stay tuned’ to this debate...

IPTV Channels IPTV Providers for Australia

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:42:00 GMT

The Internet Protocol Television revolution is here. Like Beta to VHS, CD to DVD and Analogue TV to Digital TV, so will be the case for existing TV to IPTV. The IPTV process has begun and so will the way we access and watch our favourite TV shows. If there was truly an event that earmarked the emergence (potential) of IPTV in Australia, it was the day Kevin Rudd announced the biggest project since the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme, that of the $43 Billion Australian National Broadband Network project.

Recent comments made by the Federal Communications Minister 'Stephen Conroy' suggests that plans to overhaul Australia's media regulatory framework will be brought forward to accommodate for the inevitable emergence of Internet Protocol Television in Australia (media broadcasting over the Internet). IPTV is television broadcasting via broadband Internet technology and if we're to view uninterrupted high definition IPTV, then we'll need fast robust Broadband. The upcoming NBN fibre-to-the-home project brings all this to the table and when Senator Conroy made some interesting revelations on IPTV in Hong Kong at a recent Australian Information Industry Association discussion, it was made evident that local Free-to-Air and pay TV providers could be in some real trouble if they were hasty or didn't move with the times.

Quoted by Senator Conroy...

“Convergence has happened. The broadband network is going to radically reshape the media sector,”

“Some get it a lot, some don’t quite get it yet and some have been in a position of privilege for some time and had competition kept away from them. But broadband network IPTV [will bring] hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of channels of choice for consumers. That is going to force a radical change.”

“IPTV is an international phenomenon. Hong Kong IPTV, if you can get it connected up is just unbelievable. It is a threat not just to free to air networks it is a threat to existing, incumbent pay networks,”

If bringing forward plans to change Australia's media regulations along with these recent statements are anything to go by, then we might as well count down the days to the inception of fully blown IPTV services as we may do with the National Broadband Network inception. Mr Conroy has been the Federal minister for almost 2 years now and appears to have stuck by his guns, even after being grilled over many topics in recent times. If you pair his vigor and determination up with words like 'unbelievable' when describing IPTV, I can't help but think that this guys truly means what his saying about an IPTV revolution in Australia.

So what can we expect from an IPTV revolution? First things first: Amendments to Australian media laws will need to be actioned; FOXTEL, AUSTAR and FTA commercial networks may become the hunted and will need to perform changes accordingly; Digital TV and Storage manufacturers will need to cater for Online/IPTV content; and we'll witness many new IPTV Providers and existing Broadband Providers offering 100's of new digital channels with a smorgasbord of variety and content.

The changes I speak of may seem like years away, but rest assured the likes of James Packer, Kerry Stokes and many other mighty media magnates have already put pen to paper to got the ball rolling. So don't be surprised if we see some initial pre-emptive measures gradually making their way into the respective pay TV and FTA industries soon. For now though, we wait, we wait and see what Mr Conroy and his associates come up with when they draft up the new regulatory legislation for the Australian media industry.

2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games TV Coverage

admin — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:49:00 GMT

FOXTEL has blanketed coverage lined up for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games which will be broadcast live, directly from Vancouver Canada, across four interactive TV channels and is scheduled to commence on February 13, 2010. Don't miss a minute of the 340 hour coverage of the XXI Olympic Winter Games by purchasing a customisable FOXTEL pay TV package through Youcompare Pay TV.

Search and compare FOXTEL Sports packages in both High Definition and Standard Definition that will be featuring four dedicated 2010 Winter Olympic Channels! Never before has Australian Broadcast Television witnessed a smorgasbord of action packed Winter Olympic events of this magnitude that will also feature interactive, mobile and Internet technology as you've never seen it before.

If you sign up to a FOX Sports package you can also take advantage of their FOXTEL iQ set top box which will allow you to record all the great events such as Alpine Skiing, Snowboarding, the majestic Figure Skating and of course the mighty Ski Jump plus heaps more!

FOXTEL's subscription TV based regional partner 'AUSTAR' will also telecast the 2010 Winter Olympics as will Free-to-Air Commercial Network Broadcaster 'Channel Nine'.

View and customise FOXTEL pay TV packages right here! http://youcompare.com.au/paytv/foxtel/package-picker

List of 2010 Winter Olympic Events
Alpine skiing
Biathlon
Bobsleigh
Cross-country skiing
Curling
Figure skating
Freestyle skiing
Ice hockey
Luge
Nordic combined
Short track speed skating
Skeleton
Ski jumping
Snowboarding
Speed skating

List of Competing Countries
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Belgium
Belarus
Canada
Cayman Islands
China
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Great Britain
India
Iran
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Kazakhstan
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Moldova
Monaco
Norway
Poland
Russia
Senegal
Slovenia
Slovakia
South Korea
Spain
Switzerland
Sweden
Turkey
United States
Ukraine

IPTV - TV over Broadband in Australia

admin — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:31:00 GMT

Australia is often touted as a couple of years behind global trends in various industries and commerce and although sometime away yet, the emphatic rise of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV or TV over Broadband), which can be currently witnessed in European countries, is an example of things to come in our own backyard or should I say lounge room.

In a recent European report that forecasts IPTV growth in the respective region, it was stated that the pay TV alternative will rocket in popularity over the next 5 years. It's believed that IPTV subscriptions will jump from 12.4 million to over 30 million subscriptions in this period despite the current economic downturn. This figure equates to around 16 percent of Europe's total pay TV market. In 2008, Cable TV providers dominated the market with a 56 percent share while satellite TV services held a little more than 30 percent. The report is suggesting that Cable providers will be the looser in the next 5 years with a reduction of 13 percent forecast and in addition, not only will TV over Broadband services grow, it's also predicted that satellite TV subscriptions will rise an extra 7 percent.

So what's this mean for Australian IPTV services?
For a start the likes of FOXTEL, FOXTEL from Telstra and AUSTAR, who dominate the pay TV market here in Australia, will be forced to re-strategise and strengthen their products and relationships within this Industry. You see, subscription based technology aside, there's still the issue of 'Content' to consider - What is everyone going to watch on IPTV? For example, FOXTEL hold many lucrative and exclusive relationships with Content Providers such as a Channel (e.g. The Lifestyle Channel) or sports rights (50 percent AFL - Australian Rules Football or 100 percent A-League) and essentially have a stranglehold on subscription TV. So regardless of IPTV provider networks, there's still going to be the underlying factor of media rich content to broadcast through an IPTV network.

The other major factor that IPTV faces is distribution technology, namely through Broadband. Up until now and media content aside, Australia's subscription pay TV options were limited to Cable and Satellite TV services offered by the likes of Telstra and Optus, both of which relayed FOXTEL broadcasts. The problem here surrounds Broadband speed as ADSL2+ is the only other option thats barely capable of of transmitting IPTV broadcasts. While this form of Broadband technology certainly has the speed at the top end in which to broadcast such services, the problem primarily lays with accompanying latency and connectivity issues. ADSL2+ isn't reliable and top end speeds are generally theory based so more often than not subscribers to ADSL2+ would experience servicing interferences that just wouldn't cut it for IPTV broadcasting.

Bring on the new National Broadband Network and Anti-siphoning, then we may have game on for IPTV! In case you're unfamiliar with Anti-siphoning, it's a government regulation that protects many major sporting codes and events from being gobbled up by exclusive pay TV rights. It basically means that sports such as Horse Racing and the Melbourne Cup, AFL Grandfinals, State of Origins and world sporting events like the Olympics and Soccer World Cups are to be made available to the general public via Free-to-Air television.

Considering the NBN is commencing deployment later this year (to be completed over an 8 year period) and will be the foundation to drive home IPTV and Video on Demand type services, together with the projected growth figures in Europe expected over the next 5 years, it appears that IPTV's emergence in Australia will follow Europe's lead and become a popular subscription TV service. In the interim, ADSL2+ might not be be able to deliver high definition IPTV Australia wide, however, until the NBN comes into play, it could make a viable substitute for IPTV services, especially for those residing in major metropolitan areas and those close enough to DSLAM exchanges that will be able to take advantage of the faster ADSL2+ speeds.

Assistance for Switching to Digital TV

admin — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 03:39:00 GMT

The Minister for Broadband Communications and the Digital Economy 'Stephen Conroy' has announced an initiative that aims to facilitate the crossover from Analogue TV to Digital TV and although a seemingly straight forward transition for most Australians, there will still be many households that will require assistance in doing so.

Receiving Digital TV Assistance
With the proposed switch commencing in the region of the Mildura/Sunraysia area of Victoria in the first half of 2010, the Government has now started a tender process seeking respondents that will help particular residents make the switch.

It's believed that eligibility for assistance will be based on households with at least one resident that receives either a Aged or Disability Pension, Carer payment or Department of Veterans Affairs pension or the respective income support supplement payment. Eligible households will receive a letter of invitation approximately six months prior to the Digital TV switchover.

Successful Tenders will be required to supply, install and demonstrate the use of a high definition digital TV set-top box and complete any upgrades to household cabling or antennas that may be required.

Qualified Tradesperson
On a side note, one would hope that the Government will have strict criteria for the tender respondent process which are those who will be carrying out these installations/demonstrations procedures. Not intending to cause any concern, however, would you allow a complete stranger into your house?

For example, in the case of pay TV installers, initial requirements entailed that a qualified installer should hold an electrician, or ex electrician tradesman's licence . These days a pay TV technician need only acquire a certificate III in telecommunications to install pay TV cabling, which dramatically lowers the entry requirements.

Further Information can be found on the DBCDE website. http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/049

Your Choice: TiVO BlockBuster Sony PS3 VOD IPTV

admin — Tue, 26 May 2009 02:00:00 GMT

These are just a few of the more recent media options to have emerged that are gradually threatening the livelihood of Free-to-Air TV and some subscription based pay TV services. With a new Australian high speed broadband network now imminent, the drawing is on the board for an era of new media delivery technologies that will use Broadband to catapult their content to subscribers in all regions of Australia. We're certainly up for some interesting times ahead.

Media steaming services such as TiVO, Video On Demand (aka Movies on Demand), IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) and VidZone via the PlayStation 3 Console, use high speed Broadband Internet technology to deliver media content straight to you. At present, these slowly emerging FTA alternatives offer a magnitude of variety that include music videos, sports programs, television shows and movies, however once the NBN is fully operational, expect to be inundated with many new associated services. We're already witnessing the Australian Broadcasting Commission moving forward with I-View:- A free Internet streaming service which replays ABC TV programming at your demand. The ABC is perhaps a good example to use as a glimpse of whats possible, not to mention what is inevitable.

If the likes of Australian Commercial TV Networks, leading Internet Service Providers and current Pay TV Providers react slowly to this media paradigm shift, it's only a matter of time until their audiences (or should I say their revenue) subsides. Perhaps the biggest issue facing the commercial sector is not the transition, but how they'll integrate their lucrative advertising segment which has been their main source of income for so long.

The other issue facing Internet based (IPTV) media providers is media rich content. Up until now, popular content has been stitched up by long term deals done with the content creator/rights holder and leading FTA and Pay TV Networks. You see, Sport, Movies and Lifestyle orientated programs are the bread and butter of popular viewing and it's unlikely that these lucrative business relationships between the respective parties will depreciate anytime soon. Although the quality of content (and price for such) is a major factor for IPTV providers to contend with, it still won't stop these type of networks springing up down the track with alternative program viewing. In many cases, much of what you'll see on FTA/Pay TV networks will also be available on the IPTV based services, as it all comes down to how much a company can afford or what they're prepared to sacrifice.

If the proposed National Broadband Network, which has been earmarked to deliver 100Mbps high speed broadband access to 90 percent of the population, takes the previously stated 8 years to be deployed, you can bet you're bottom dollar that we'll witness many new IPTV associated services appearing parallel to this schedule. Stay Tuned!

Order FOXTEL Box Office Movies without Phone Service

admin — Tue, 19 May 2009 02:48:00 GMT

Australian FOXTEL iQ and iQ2 subscribers are now able to order all of their favourite FOXTEL Box Office Blockbuster Movies without the need of a phone service. In a recent announcement made by FOXTEL, it was revealed that FOXTEL subscribers would no longer require a home phone service to be connected to an iQ set-top-box in order to schedule FOXTEL Box Office Movies.

Up until this technology amendment was introduced, FOXTEL customers who did not have a connected home phone service were unable to order movies from FOXTEL. This brings the FOXTEL movie ordering options up to 3, which includes: Ordering movies by using the remote control (for subscribers who have a phone service connected); Calling FOXTEL directly to order a movie (over the phone); and ordering FOXTEL Box Office movies online via a FOXTEL subscriber account.

Scheduling Videos on Demand movies has never been easier, and couple this with FOXTEL's others features such as exclusive movies to Australian TV, High Definition TV viewing, Widescreen TV and Dolby Digital Surround Sound quality, makes for a very enjoyable and streamlined movie experience.

Check out and compare FOXTEL Movie Packages right here at Youcompare Pay TV.

England v Australia: 2009 Ashes Cricket Tour on FOXTEL TV

admin — Mon, 18 May 2009 01:23:00 GMT

Updated - Wednesday 8th July 2009
England vs. Australia Betting Odds
Australia Win: $3.10
England Win: $3.65
Draw: $2.42
Odds courtesy of Betfair.com.au

Watch every ball of the England v Australia 2009 Ashes Cricket Series on your television when signing up to a FOXTEL Pay TV 'sports' package through Youcompare Pay TV! Don't miss any of the memorable moments by recording 'live' action on a FOXTEL iQ set box. FOXTEL is broadcasting the entire ASHES 2009 series tour live from the United Kingdom in the most comprehensive coverage to date. To start proceedings off, FOXSPORTS will telecast the naming of the ASHES Squad both live and exclusive on FOX Sports News and their online streaming feed on Wednesday 20th May.

While FOXTEL is the Subscription TV choice of broadcasters, it's the SBS who has been named the official broadcaster and will be transmitting the series through High Definition TV via the Free-To-Air TV Networks. You can expect the SBS to broadcast all five 2009 ASHES Test Matches along with every One Day International between Australia and England as well.

Host, Commentators and Presenters
FOXTEL will bring you the latest reports and commentary from famous former Aussie cricketers such as Allan Border, Mark Waugh, Brendon Julian, Greg Blewett, and Damien Fleming, while the SBS has announced a presentation team that includes the likes of Stuart MacGill (host), Greg Matthews and Damien Martyn.

The Ashesblog.com has also come up with an England v Australia comparison of Test Cricket averages analysis. They have suggested that going from previous batting and bowling stats, the Aussies would win comfortably.

Here are the important Great Britain 2009 ASHES Tour Dates, so make sure you catch it all 'live' on FOX TV.

The ASHES 2009, Twenty20 & One Day International Fixture

June 24-27 v Sussex Tour Match: County Ground, Hove
July 1-4 v England Lions Tour Match: New Road, Worcester
July 8-12 v England First Test: Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
July 16-20 v England Second Test: Lords, London
July 24-26 v Northamptonshire Tour Match: Country Ground, Northampton
July 30-August 3 v England Third Test: Edgbaston, Birmingham
August 7-11 v England Fourth Test: Headingley, Leeds
August 15-16 v Kent Tour Match: St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury
August 20-24 v England Fifth Test: The Oval, London
August 28 v Scotland ODI: Grange Cricket Club Ground, Edinburgh
August 30 v England Twenty20: Old Trafford, Manchester
September 1 v England Twenty20: Old Trafford, Manchester
September 4 v England First ODI: The Oval, London
September 6 v England Second ODI: Lords, London
September 9 v England Third ODI: Rose Bowl, Southampton
September 12 v England Fourth ODI: Lord's, London
September 15 v England Fifth ODI: Trent Bridge, Nottingham
September 17 v England Sixth ODI: Trent Bridge, Nottingham
September 20 v England Seventh ODI: The Riverside Complex, Durham

Australia v England Test Cricket Statistics & Averages

Player	Batting Avge	Bowling Avge
Simon Katich	43.42	29.61
Phillip Hughes	69.16	0
Ricky Ponting	56.2	0
Mike Hussey	55.29	0
Michael Clarke	47.82	37.77
Andrew Symonds	40.61	37.33
Brad Haddin	37.54	0
Mitchell Johnson	34.7	28.01
Brett Lee	20.15	30.81
Stuart Clark	13.12	22.96
Peter Siddle	11.77	27.65
Batting total	429.78
Bowling total		146.76



Player	Batting Avge	Bowling Avge
Andrew Strauss	44.26	0
Alastair Cook	43.35	0
Owais Shah	26.9	0
Kevin Pietersen	51.09	129.5
Paul Collingwood	43.87	55
Matt Prior	48	0
Andrew Flintoff	31.69	32.07
Stuart Broad	29.18	40.6
Graeme Swann	14	28.62
Ryan Sidebottom	16.55	27.7
James Anderson	14.19	35.43
Batting total	363.08
Bowling total		164.42



Australia's total	594.2
England's total	509.84

ASHES Betting - Market Betting Odds (Correct 07/04/09 at Betfair.com.au)
Australia - $1.76
England - $3.50
Drawn series - $6.60

- Updated
ASHES Betting - Market Betting Odds (Correct 04/06/09 at Betfair.com.au)
Australia - $1.69
England - $3.65
Drawn series - $6.80

Go the Aussies... Oi Oi Oi

2009 NRL Telstra Premiership Season on FOXTEL Pay TV

admin — Thu, 14 May 2009 03:32:00 GMT

The Australian National Rugby League 2009 season is well underway with any of the top eight positions on the current NRL Ladder up for grabs. It seems like almost all teams on the NRL 2009 Ladder are still in with a chance to take out the 2009 NRL Telstra Premiership. With the Canterbury Bulldogs currently leading the NRL 2009 Fixture, it remains to be seen if the Melbourne Storm can claw their way back into premiership contention this year or any other team for that matter.

FOXTEL are offering some great Pay TV Packages that feature NRL Games while FOXSports will keep you up to date with live NRL match scores and NRL results. FOXSports even has a Fantasy NRL competition for Mate against Mate challenges and if that ain't enough, they also cater for NRL tipping - for those who think they know it all when it comes to NRL Footy!

Further to NRL Football, FOXTEL have you covered with a feast of Rugby League Competitions. We've just witnessed the great ANZAC day Test that saw Australia thrash current Rugby League World Cup Champions New Zealand. The Kangaroos are back to their best so stay up-to-date with all their games and Test Matches along with many other National and International Rugby League action. This is not too mention all the latest news and information on the 2009 State of Origin featuring NSW and QLD as well!

State of Origin Match Draw & Game Dates
June 3 Etihad Stadium, Melbourne
June 24 ANZ Stadium, Sydney
July 15 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Current NRL Ladder Top 8
1 Bulldogs   7 1 1 14
2 Dragons    6 3 0 12
3 Broncos    6 3 0 12
4 Knights     6 3 0 12
5 Titans       6 3 0 12
6 Storm       5 3 0 11
7 Rabbitohs 4 4 1 10
8 Panthers   4 4 1 10

Sony PS3 to deliver Movies and HDTV Shows

admin — Thu, 07 May 2009 04:55:00 GMT

Free-to-Air TV in Australia has been dealt another blow by pay TV competition, this time its Sony who is planning to sell movies and TV shows via it's popular PlayStation 3 console. In a recent comments made by Australian Sony Computer Entertainment chief 'Michael Ephraim', it was confirmed that Sony may offer the new TV show and movie download service by as early as the end of this year.

When you consider the potential that Pay TV, VOD, IPTV and other forms of Subscripting based TV have, well we may be in for a media explosion which could follow the upcoming implementation of the new 100Mbps high speed National Broadband Network. Include the likes of entities such as Seven with TiVo, Sony with the PS3 and Blockbuster who will be delivering Video on Demand, the FTA TV Industry appears to be in real trouble! You've heard the saying - Move with the times or get left behind.

Sony has already started delivering high definition movies and TV shows through the PS3 in the United States since June 2008, and expect the same will be achieved here over the next 12-18 months. Australians will witness the introduction of the new Sony download services when it launches 'Vidzone' - A download service that will allow PS3 users to watch music videos.

The next several years will be very interesting times indeed, especially when witnessing a huge shift in the way we receive and watch media. Expect many more media services to commence and become available at home and on handheld or mobile devices, in particularly, once the NBN rolls out!

Australian Socceroos Soar on Pay Television

admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:13:00 GMT

We all know that soccer is taking off in Australia ever since John Aloisi kicked that winning goal in the penalty shootout against Uruguay back in 2005 to qualify the Australian Socceroos for the 2006 World Cup. What some of you may not know however, is the popularity that the Socceroos are still creating on Pay TV.

When Australia played Uzbekistan in a 2010 World Cup Qualifier earlier this year in 2009, a massive 431,000 viewers tuned in to watch Australia go within a whisker of World Cup qualification for South Africa right there and then. Not in the entire 13 year history of Australian subsciption based television has there ever been an audience of this proportion watching a Pay TV sports program, let alone a non-sports progam!

Sure, Free-to-Air television audiences easily surpass Pay TV viewers, but hey, that's totally understandable because it's FTA is 'free' based and Foxtel has only just registered their 1,000,000 subscriber. You've only got to take a look at Channel 9's 'Underbelly' series which attracted in excess of 2 million viewers and the Australian Open Tennis final which has seen more than twice this amount in the past.

Five Most Watched Pay TV Programs
1. Soccer: 2009 South AFrica World Cup Qualifier - Australia V Uzbekistan: 431,000
2. Soccer: Asian Football Confederation 'Asian Cup' Japan v Australia 2007: 419,000
3. Cricket: Chappell-Hadlee trophy 2007: 415,000
4. Cricket: South Africa V Australia Test, day 2 2009: 358,000
5. Rugby Union: 2008 Bledisloe Cup: 350,000

Five Most Watched Non- Sporting Events on Pay TV
1. Parkinson - The Shane Warne interview 2007: 332,000
2. High School Musical 2 premiere 2007: 314,000
3. Australia's Next Top Model final 2008: 259,000
4. Die Hard 4 premiere 2008: 244,000;
5. Rock Star Supernova 2006: 235,000.

So why did the Socceroos break this record? Is it because soccer is finally starting to establish itself as a domaint sport here in Australia after the success of making the last World Cup? Or are we just a sport's mad nation who bands together when our little old country (as a sporting underdog) terriers' its way up the ranks toward a crack at the pinnacle of all sporting events? Maybe its a mixture of both. I think Australians absolutely love their sports, soccer's popularity (or should I say football) is snowballing and yes, we all love a big event!

The Australian Football League (AFL) and National Rugby League (NRL) are obviously worried with the success of Soccer here in Australia, although they don't admit to such. This can be witnessed with the AFL's somewhat hastiness in their plans to penetrate and establish a new team in the heart of NSW's Rugby League stronghold 'West Sydney'. The AFL have already announced a new team for the Gold Coast to commence in 2011 which is also home to the newest Rugby League side to enter the competition ' Gold Coast Titans'.

The Titans inaugural season commenced back on March 18 2007 as the newest member of the current 16 team National Rugby League competition. Realistically, these two football codes have only had each other to contend with, except for the poaching of players that the Australian Rugby League and International Rugby clubs do from time to time. Both the AFL and NRL reaped the benefits of Pay TV exposure, but this is changing, and changing in a big way now that the Socceroos have hit the big time after John Aloisi making history.... and you know what..... Johnny Warren told you so!

Get all the best Live, National & International Football Matches featuring the Australian Socceroos, AFL 2009, A-League 2009/10 and NRL 2009 action when you get a Sports Pay TV Package right here at Youcompare Pay TV

Socceroos 2010 FIFA World Cup action on FOXTEL & SBS

admin — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:26:00 GMT

Catch all the latest Socceroos matches on FOX Sports and SBS as Australia forges their way to 2010 FIFA World Cup glory in South Africa. Now that the Socceroos have qualified for South Africa 2010 World Cup, football fever is set to spread like wild fire as it did back in 2006. FOXTEL is broadcasting all the Socceroo World Cup Qualifying matches live on FOX Sports, while SBS has the exclusive Australian broadcasting rights for the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups.

SBS licensing also includes broadcasts on pay television, broadband Internet and free-to-air TV networks with their broadcasting relationship with the Federation International Football Association (FIFA) also extending to New Zealand and many other Oceania countries.

Hailed as the World's biggest sporting event, which is only rivaled by the Olympic Games, a good result in the 2010 Football World Cup by the Socceroos may move Australia one step closer to hosting the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cups. The Australian Federal Governement have funded $45 million toward a World Cup bid and providing the Oceania and Asian countries are aligned, Football Federation Australian (FFA) could find themselves in a very prominent position to win part (if not all) the hosting privileges to hold the World Cup here in Australia.

Be sure to get behind the Australian Socceroos and the likes of Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill, Mark Schwarzer and Lucas Neill on FOXTEL and SBS as they kick their way into Australian Football history in the upcoming South African World Cup 2010. FOXTEL also has exclusive coverage to all the 2009 / 2010 Hyundai A-League matches that feature the Melbourne Victory, Sydney FC, Adelaide United along with Asian Cup action and AFC Champions League telecasts.

Check out FOXTEL Sports Pay TV Packages right here at Youcompare Pay TV and never miss a Football match again!

Save on Pay TV Packages Mobile Phone Plans & Home Phone Bundles

admin — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:49:00 GMT

Most of us know by now that combining your Home Phone and Broadband services into one bundle can save you a few dollars on your monthly Telecommunication bill, but how much can you save? Furthermore, did you know that it doesn't stop there either, because now you can bundle other services such as Pay TV and Mobile Phone plans into the same bundle which can effectively save you even more.

Firstly, some providers offer deals, incentives and special offers such as monthly discounts, free monthly (or reduced) plan fees and equipment cost reductions for bundling services other than just a Home Phone plan. These days its not uncommon to see a Pay TV Package or Broadband Bundle that consists of Home Phone Landline Rental, a Broadband Plan and a Mobile Phone Cap all rolled into one. Typical savings on bundling one extra service could start at around $10 per month or a small discount to the value of 5%. Telstra currently offer rewards (discounts) when you bundle Pay TV with a Home Phone and Mobile Phone product. This package type is also referred to as 'Triple Play'. Basically, the more you bundle, the more discounts you may be entitled to.

Pay TV is not the only service to offer savings by bundling. Since Telstra were forced by the ACCC to lower access prices to their copper infrastructure (telephone lines) in 2008, it opened the doorway for yet another avenue of cost savings using ADSL Broadband delivery referred to as 'Naked DSL'. This form of Internet service essentially incorporated a small cost for the landline component into the Broadband plan price and thus alleviated the need to rent a separate dedicated phone line just for the sake of getting an ADSL service.

Now days a vast amount of phone junkies are using mobile phones as their preferred method of voice communication. Many of these types of consumers have home or mobile broadband access and don't require a dedicated home phone service any longer. The other niche for the growing popularity of Naked DSL is a 'VoIP' option that replaces the traditional Home Phone service. VoIP is driving the 'budget conscious' consumer away from line rental in droves to the cheaper alternative of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) aka Broadband Phone offerings.

Smaller to intermediate Internet Service Providers have started to sell Naked DSL plans with a VoIP service included. Fees for this type of service, along with call rates, are typically a fraction of the price compared to that of traditional PSTN anolog Home Phone services. As a result of this migration, it gives those who take up VoIP a great opportunity to save a significant amount of money by bundling it with broadband and cutting loose Home Phone line rental.

Here is a cost effective example of saving $$$ by switching to VoIP: Home Phone line rental can cost the average punter around $30 or $40 per month before they even make a call. This is just for the privilage of renting a landline. In comparison, a VoIP service is usually a free bonus that's included with a Naked DSL plan, otherwise it might carry a $10 or so surcharge. Then there's phone call rates. You should obviously know what you spend on your phone calls right? Does $30, $40 or maybe $60 a month come close? For some this might be excessive, for others who have a larger communication appetite, these figure could be peanuts!

OK, what about VoIP then? Try free local calls on for size, how about free national calls and in some cases free International calls to landline numbers along with competitive mobile call rates. Mobile Phone calls aside, it's not unusual to see free VoIP calls as an added bonus when purchasing a accompanying a Broadband Plan. If not, they will usually only cost you about 5 or 10 cents each as local and national calls are generally 'untimed'. International calls to landlines (using VoIP) to most major countries range from about 3 to 5 cents per minute. Yes, your reading this correctly!

I'd easily put a conservative estimation on a phone service savings of around $100 per month per for the average family? Remember this figure is hypothetically based and doesn't take into account the cost of calls to mobile phones and in some cases, calls to special phone numbers. The numbers are all out there, it's just up to you to find the plans and compare them yourself.

So here's a reasonable scenario to save you heaps in my opinion! Firstly, you need to consider if VoIP is for you? An Internet Phone services isn't for everyone and although the voice quality is reasonable these days, there are still elements of inadequate reception such as interference, and above all, the you NEED to take into consideration the fact that if your broadband connection goes down, so will your VoIP phone connection! There maybe other FAX and Home Alarm incompatibilities to be aware of as well.

If you're still keen on saving that hard earned cash, then read on. Step One: Crunch the numbers of your Telecommunication bills. This includes Line Rental, Local, National & International Calls to Landlines only (include connection fees/flag falls as VoIP services do not usually charge for this). Now add the cost of your Broadband Plan into the equation. Step Two: Once you've worked out your total, you should then start to browse Broadband Providers who offer Naked DSL and VoIP services and compare their Broadband & VoIP Plans (including call rates) against your other current Telecommunication total. *Keep in mind that you don't need to rent a landline if you have Cable Internet too, as VoIP can run over this type of Broadband service also.

In a nutshell, there's several elements to consider when it comes to saving money on your monthly Telecommunication bills. These are: The feasibility of bundling multiple services together and whether the discounts for such outweigh all the respective costs as opposed to an alternative competitor; Secondly, there's the compatibility and value of VoIP over a traditional Home Phone service. Is VoIP for you? Or possibly an easier solution might be to simply do away with your home phone/ line rental altogether by purchasing a Naked DSL or Cable Internet plan and make all your phone calls via your mobile phone.