Foxtel Digital Passes One Million Subscribers

July 17, 2006 - Foxtel has reached a new digital TV record with connection of more than one million Australian homes direct to the Foxtel Digital service.

This digital subscriber milestone has secured Foxtel’s position as leader in Australian Digital TV.

This subscriber achievement is following Foxtel’s launch of its digital service in March 2004. Foxtel has reconfirmed its commitment to convert all its subscribers to digital by March 2007, and switch-off its analogue service.

Km Williams, Foxtel’s CEO has said: “Foxtel is solidly on track to achieve a 100% digital customer base by March next year….Subscription television will become the first of Australia’s television providers to achieve a complete digital service from broadcaster to the consumer at home. We will do this many years ahead of our competitors. Our digital investments are keeping Australia at the forefront of global broadcasting. “

The digital take-up in Australia is being driven by companies like Foxtel, who since 2004 have added new channels, more unique quality programming, growing interactivity and world-leading innovation such as the Foxtel iQ personal digital recorder.

As well as digital quality pictures and sound, Foxtel Digital subscribers can at the touch of a button on their remote control use interactive services to obtain news, sport and weather; order movies on Foxtel Box Office, access information on programming up to seven days in advance via a state-of-the-art electronic program guide; and use the Foxtel iQ to pause live TV and record two programs at the same time.

Williams added: “Foxtel Digital has completely changed the way Australians watch television and we are delighted that its growing appeal has become a key driver of the nation’s conversion to digital television….While the terrestrial television sector moves slowly on digital, Foxtel and subscription television is investing in and providing the real spark for the digital revolution.”