Foxtel chief executive Patrick Delany has always been a fan of keeping it simple. During his early days at Foxtel and then when running Fox Sports, his trademark presentation was a big screen and best quality pictures you could supply.
He is leaving the big screen part of the equation up to his Foxtel customers – he noted most TVs now sold are over 55 inch.
But he can help with the quality of the pictures.
From October Foxtel will launch a dedicated 4K channel, which will need to be accompanied by an iQ4 set-top box to deliver those pictures.
Foxtel said its 4K channel is an Australian first, bringing with it a live 4K experience and an unprecedented way to enjoy sport, documentaries, movies and more through Australia’s only guaranteed 4K satellite signal.
The Foxtel 4K presentation was held twice this week, once for media in the morning and then a glittering evening event.
“Welcome to television… but like never before,” said Delany at the events, echoing the famous words from Bruce Gyngell when TV first launched in Australia.
Foxtel paid homage to the past with two rows of TVs, with Aussie TV highlights greeting guests as they entered Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion.
Foxtel in 4K will launch in October on channel 444 and will come as part of a Foxtel Platinum HD or Foxtel Sports HD subscription for customers with an iQ4. At launch, the channel will start previewing 4K content – including live sport, documentaries, concerts and more, and over the next 12 months Foxtel is promising to expand the selection of unique 4K content to its subscribers.
The news comes as Foxtel announces the arrival of the new iQ4 set-top box. The iQ4 looks the same and has much the same features as the iQ3 but for one exceptional feature:
The new iQ4 will enable subscribers with a compatible 4K TV to access Foxtel’s new 4K channel.
Foxtel in 4K arrives in time for the Australia v South Africa cricket ODI on November 4, which will kick off Foxtel’s sports coverage in 4K, bringing detail to sports fans like they have never seen before.
Delany demonstrated what sport looks like in 4K at the launch and it makes a significant difference. He revealed they had already shot an NRL match in 4K – “In a way the first live broadcast has already happened.”
Delany said, “Innovation is in Foxtel’s DNA and we have continuously redefined entertainment for Australia putting us at the centre of connecting subscribers with the sports and the shows they love.
“Today’s news is just the first step into a 4K future. This incredible experience will continue to expand as we bring even more sport and entertainment programming to life in guaranteed 4K, making the most of today’s ultramodern 4K TVs. It’s TV like never before.”
Foxtel customers can learn more at foxtel.com.au/4K to be sure they’re up and running for when the curtain goes up on 4K and live cricket in 4K.
Access to Foxtel’s 4K channel requires an iQ4 set-top box, compatible HDMI cable and compatible 4K TV.
Any other connected equipment must also be compatible with Foxtel’s 4K UHD Standard, available to customers with Sports + HD packs starting in October 2018.