Free to Air Streaming Apps
CompareTV Free Streaming TV Guide App
Find all the shows and movies you can’t wait to watch! Our Free App helps you find out which streaming services offer your show or movie in Australia and also provides recommendations for similar films of series.
Hubbl Device
- Includes free express delivery
- No Lock-in Contract
- New device for TV and streaming
- Search across streaming apps and free-to-air TV in one go
- Create watchlists across streaming apps and free-to-air TV
- Stack eligible streaming apps and save money with Stack & Save
- One continue watching list across streaming apps
- Watch free-to-air TV with or without an aerial
iView
- No Lock-in Contract
- Catch up with your favourite ABC shows for free
- High-speed streaming and ad-free
- Simulcast live streaming of other ABC channels
- Compatible on most devices
Hubbl Glass 65-inch
- 65-inch 4K smart TV with Hubbl
- Includes free express delivery
- No Lock-in Contract
- 4K Ultra HD display and 6 built-in speakers
- Colours available: Anthracite Black, Ceramic White, Ocean Blue, Racing Green, Dusky Pink
- Search across streaming apps and free-to-air TV in one go
- Stack eligible streaming apps and save money with Stack & Save
- Create watchlists across streaming apps and free-to-air TV
- One continue watching list across streaming apps
- Watch free-to-air TV with or without an aerial
Hubbl Glass 55-inch
- 55-inch 4K smart TV with Hubbl
- Includes free express delivery
- No Lock-in Contract
- 4K Ultra HD display and 6 built-in speakers
- Colours available: Anthracite Black, Ceramic White, Ocean Blue, Racing Green, Dusky Pink
- Search across streaming apps and free-to-air TV in one go
- Stack eligible streaming apps and save money with Stack & Save
- Create watchlists across streaming apps and free-to-air TV
- One continue watching list across streaming apps
- Watch free-to-air TV with or without an aerial
Min Cost - Boxing and UFC from $50 per event
- No Lock-in Contract
- Pay for events through Kayo Sports
- Full access to all of Kayo for duration of event
- Easy access via one-off payment
Plus7
- No Lock-in Contract
- Watch full episodes of shows from Seven, 7mate, 7TWO, 7flix, & racing.com
- Enjoy it live and free online or on mobile
- No account sign-up needed
- Compatible on most devices
- No Lock-in Contract
- Watch shows from Channel Nine, 9Gem, 9Go! & 9Life
- Enjoy live streaming, catch-up, and on demand content
- Sign up and get notified for new episodes
- Compatible on most devices
On Demand
- No Lock-in Contract
- Watch full episodes of your favourite SBS shows online
- Over 600 movie titles
- App for Kindle Reader available
- Enjoy free unlimited streaming of shows, movies and events
- 7-day free trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- SD or HD, stream on 1 device
- Watch live Ashes, BBL, NBA + more
- 15,000+ hrs of on-demand sport – new content daily
- SplitView feature allows watching up to 4 videos in one screen (on selected devices).
- All content streamed in HD (bandwidth required) and comes with other features like our ‘No Spoiler!’ setting and Key moments
- Requires internet & compatible device
- Data charges apply
- Featuring: Toyota AFL Premiership, NRL Telstra Premiership, NBA, NFL, Hyundai A-League, FIA Formula One World Championshipâ„¢, Virgin Australia Supercars Championship
- Over 15,000 hours of quality on-demand sport content, from Fox Sports, ESPN, beIN SPORTS, and Kayo originals - game/race replays, award-winning documentaries & sports related shows and news
Tenplay
- No Lock-in Contract
- Watch shows from Channel TEN, 10 Peach & 10 Bold
- Live streaming, watch sports as they happen
- Exciting extras including interviews and trailers
- Compatible on most devices
Free
- regular season and playoffs highlights
- No Lock-in Contract
- game previews
- NFL network
- 2023 NFL scouting combine
F1 TV Annually
- 12 Month Contract
- Watch exclusive documentaries
- See 650+ historic races from the F1 archives
- Get full access to all live timing features like Live leaderboard data, real time telemetry, best clips of team radio, live driver maps and Tyre usage history.
- Available on the F1 App as part of your subscription plan
F1 TV Monthly
- No Lock-in Contract
- Watch exclusive documentaries
- See 650+ historic races from the F1 archives
- Get full access to all live timing features like Live leaderboard data, real time telemetry, best clips of team radio, live driver maps and Tyre usage history.
- Available on the F1 App as part of your subscription plan
- 7-day free trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- Exclusive content
- Stream in full HD on one device
- Taylor Sheridan's Mayor of Kingstown, 1883, 1923 & Tulsa King
- Local originals: Last King of the Cross, Five Bedrooms
- South Park Complete Seasons
- Top Gear Australia
- Free trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- Hayu app: download shows
- 6,500+ episodes of reality TV
- Enjoy episodes of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, The Real Housewives & much more
- Lindsay Lohan's Beach Club
- Southern Charm
- Botched
- Million Dollar Listing
- 14-day free trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- 1000+ award-winning docos online
- New titles added every week
- Stream across your favourite devices
- 7-day free trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- Exclusive content
- Stream in full HD on one device
- Taylor Sheridan's Mayor of Kingstown, 1883, 1923 & Tulsa King
- Local originals: Last King of the Cross, Five Bedrooms
- South Park Complete Seasons
- Top Gear Australia
- 14 day free trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- Get access to 25+ global & local news sources
- Stream on 1 screen, HD quality, live & on demand
- Watch on your favourite device
- Cancel anytime
- 7-day free trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- Exclusive content
- Stream in HD on up to two devices
- Download titles for offline viewing
- Last King of the Cross
- Tulsa King
- Mayor of Kingstown
- South Park
- SpongeBob SquarePants
Game Pass Season
- 12 Month Contract
- Watch all 270+ games, including all playoffs games & Super Bowl LVI live
- Get access to huge library of NFL Films on demand, including Hard Knocks, A Football Life & Total Access
- Download content & watch on multiple devices and resume where you left off
- 7-day free trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- Stream on up to 4 devices
- Watch hundreds of shows and movies ad-free
- Exclusive access to BBC, ITV, Channel 4 & Channel 5 content
- Ghosts UK
- Vera
- Line of Duty
- Shetland
- All Creatures Great and Small
Monthly Subscription
- 14-day free trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- New docos added weekly
- Stream in HD, ad-free
- Cancel anytime
- Watch 850+ of the very best docos from around the world including over 25 Academy Award â„¢ winners & nominees
- Unlimited streaming on any device with a DocPlay Premium subscription
- Apps available for Foxtel IQ, Apple TV, Android TV, Xbox One, iPhone, iPad and Android devices
- 7-day free trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- Stream on up to 4 devices
- Watch hundreds of shows and movies ad-free
- Exclusive access to BBC, ITV, Channel 4 & Channel 5 content
- The Jetty
- Avoidance
- Baptiste
- Vera
- Line of Duty
- Shetland
- 30-day free trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- Titles available in 4K
- Use 3 screens at the same time
- Download videos for offline viewing
- Watch offline on the Prime Video app when you download titles to your iPhone, iPad, Tablet, or Android device.
Max with Ads
- No Lock-in Contract
- Stream on 2 devices at once
- Full HD video resolution
- All of your HBO favorites
- Unlimited content
- Thousands of hours of series, movies, and new exclusive programming (Max Originals)
- A robust selection of acquired series and movies
- 7-Day Free Trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- Stream in HD on a single device
- 25,000+ hours of the world's best shows & movies
- Watch on popular devices
- BingeLists, Surprise Me! and more features...
- 7-day free trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- Exclusive content
- 4K UHD, HDR10, and Dolby Vision
- Stream on up to four devices
- Download titles for offline viewing
- NCIS: Sydney
- The Gilded Age
- Last King of the Cross
- Taylor Sheridan Universe
- SpongeBob SquarePants Complete Seasons
- 7-day free trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- Exclusive content
- Stream in HD on up to two devices
- Download titles for offline viewing
- Last King of the Cross
- Tulsa King
- Mayor of Kingstown
- South Park
- SpongeBob SquarePants
- Save 16% with an annual subscription
- No Lock-in Contract
- Stream in full HD & up to 5.1 audio
- Downloads on up to 10 devices
- 2 concurrent streams
- Ad-free streaming
- Agatha All Along
- Only Murders in the Building
- The Bear
- Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
- New customers: 7-day free trial
- 3 months free when you buy an eligible Apple device
- No Lock-in Contract
- 4K HDR included
- Up to 6 simultaneous streams
- Original Apple shows & movies
- Masters of the Air
- Criminal Record
- Slow Horses
- Lessons in Chemistry
- Morning Wars
- No Lock-in Contract
- Stream in full HD & up to 5.1 audio
- Downloads on up to 10 devices
- 2 concurrent streams
- Ad-free streaming
- Agatha All Along
- Only Murders in the Building
- The Bear
- Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
- No Lock-in Contract
- Watch on multiple devices with the DAZN app
- Exclusive boxing
- Live, on demand and highlights
- Documentaries, weekly shows and classic fights
- 7-day free trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- Exclusive content
- 4K UHD, HDR10, and Dolby Vision
- Stream on up to four devices
- Download titles for offline viewing
- NCIS: Sydney
- The Gilded Age
- Last King of the Cross
- Taylor Sheridan Universe
- SpongeBob SquarePants Complete Seasons
- Save 16% with an annual subscription
- No Lock-in Contract
- Up to 4K UHD & HDR video
- Dolby Atmos audio
- 4 concurrent streams
- Downloads on up to 10 devices
- Ad-free streaming
- Agatha All Along
- Only Murders in the Building
- The Bear
- Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
- 7 day free trial
- or $129.99 for 12-months. Offer runs until 31 August.
- No Lock-in Contract
- Watch major European sports
- Four beIN channels
Max Ad-Free
- No Lock-in Contract
- Stream on 2 devices at once
- Full HD video resolution
- 30 downloads to watch on the go
- All of your HBO favorites
- Unlimited content
- Thousands of hours of series, movies, and new exclusive programming (Max Originals)
- A robust selection of acquired series and movies
- No Lock-in Contract
- Up to 4K UHD & HDR video
- Dolby Atmos audio
- 4 concurrent streams
- Downloads on up to 10 devices
- Ad-free streaming
- Agatha All Along
- Only Murders in the Building
- The Bear
- Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
- 7-Day Free Trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- Stream in HD or 4K on up to two devices
- 25,000+ hours of the world's best shows & movies
- Dolby Digital sound
- Ad-free on demand
- Watch on popular devices
- BingeLists, Surprise Me! and more...
Ultimate Ad-Free
- No Lock-in Contract
- Stream on 4 devices at once
- Best video quality with 4K Ultra HD
- Immersive audio with Dolby Atmos
- 100 downloads to watch on the go
- All of your HBO favorites
- Unlimited content
- Thousands of hours of series, movies, and new exclusive programming (Max Originals)
- A robust selection of acquired series and movies
- Contract Varies
- Enjoy Netflix, Disney+, Stan & and more apps on the big screen
- Get the Fetch Mighty, Mini or Mini 4K from retailers or partner ISP's
- All the channels included in the Kids, Knowledge, Vibe and Variety packs
- Watch free to air TV, catch-up and or watch anytime with the Fetch TV App
- Fetch Mighty ($449 RRP), Fetch Mini 4K ($199) or Fetch Mini ($169 RRP) is a required purchase exclusive in our monthly pricing.
- Retail customers: Buy the Fetch Mighty box for $449 RRP and pay a $1 one-off activation fee. There is no ongoing monthly subscription for the Starter Pack. *Movie Box is an extra $1/month for retail customers. ISP customers: The Fetch box and Starter Pack are included in eligible broadband plans, or you can add the Starter Pack to your broadband plan for $10 or $15/month depending on your service provider.
- 30-day free trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- Unlimited TV shows & movies
- Add-on Stan Sport: access to Rugby & Wimbledon!
- 4 screens can be used at once
- 5 phones or tablets can download videos
- Not all movies and TV shows are available in Full/4K Ultra HD. This is also dependent on your Internet connection speed and device capabilities.
- 7-Day Free Trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- Stream in HD or 4K on up to four devices
- 25,000+ hours of the world's best shows & movies
- Dolby Digital sound
- Ad-free on demand
- Watch on popular devices
- BingeLists, Surprise Me! and more...
- No Lock-in Contract
- 1 Month Free Trial
- Access to YouTube Premium original shows
- Ad-free & watch offline video
- Play music and videos in the background
- Listen to audio only on the YouTube Music app
- Google Music subscription included at no additional cost
- Only $6.99 per month for eligible Optus customers
- No Lock-in Contract
- Best football live and on demand
- Stream EPL, WSL and J-League
- No Lock-in Contract
- Watch on the big screen via Fetch, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire & Chromecast
- Exclusive originals from classic matches to documentaries & more
- Compatible device and Australian app store account required
- 10-Day FREE Trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- 30+ channels: Entertainment, Drama, Lifestyle, Comedy and News
- Access every trending series like House of the Dragon, Colin from Accounts, and more!
- 10-Day FREE Trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- Premium drama series from the US and UK
- Entertainment, drama, comedy, reality TV & lifestyle from Australia & around the world
- Must watch shows like The Way Home, The Cleaning Lady, Unforgotten, Call the Midwife, Death in Paradise, and more!
- Plus, access every trending series like House of the Dragon, Colin from Accounts, and more!
- 7-day FREE Trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- SD or HD, stream on 2 devices
- Watch live Ashes, BBL, NBA + more
- 15,000+ hrs of on-demand sport – new content daily
- SplitView feature allows watching up to 4 videos in one screen (on selected devices).
- All content streamed in HD (bandwidth required) and comes with other features like our ‘No Spoiler!’ setting and Key moments
- Requires internet & compatible device
- Data charges apply
- Featuring: Toyota AFL Premiership, NRL Telstra Premiership, NBA, NFL, Hyundai A-League, FIA Formula One World Championshipâ„¢, Virgin Australia Supercars Championship
- Over 15,000 hours of quality on-demand sport content, from Fox Sports, ESPN, beIN SPORTS, and Kayo originals - game/race replays, award-winning documentaries & sports related shows and news
- 10-Day FREE Trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- 1,000+ hours of movies on demand
- 30+ channels of Entertainment, Drama, Lifestyle, Comedy and News
- Must-watch blockbusters like Oppenheimer, Barbie, and all Harry Potter films!
- Access every trending series like House of the Dragon, Colin from Accounts, and more!
- 10-Day FREE Trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- Stream AFL and NRL on Fox Sports
- Plus, Formula 1, NBA, Baseball, V8 Supercars & more
- 30+ channels of Entertainment, Drama, Lifestyle, Comedy and News
- Access every trending series like House of the Dragon, Colin from Accounts, and more!
Min Cost - $58 over 1 month
- $26/mth off for 12 months
- 10-Day FREE Trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- Essentials: 30+ channels of Lifestyle, Drama, Comedy, Reality, News & Entertainment
- Movies: over 1000 movies on demand
- Sport: over 50 live sports to stream
- Drama Extra: additional premium drama channels
- Access every trending series like House of the Dragon, Colin from Accounts, and more!
Min Cost - $828 on a 12 month direct debit plan. New customers only.
- Spring Sale: $29/mth off for 12 months
- No set-up costs
- 12 Month Contract
- Foxtel Plus: 50+ channels of drama, entertainment, lifestyle, kids, docos, reality & more
- Movies: 1,000+ movies on demand
- Multiscreen: watch on another screen with the smart TV app or casting
- No satellite required: connect via the internet
- More terms: New residential customers and standard install only. Foxtel cancel fee applies.
- Offer ends 11/11/24.
Min Cost - $828 on a 12 month direct debit plan. New customers only.
- Spring Sale: $34/mth off for 12 months
- No set-up costs
- 12 Month Contract
- Foxtel Plus: 50+ channels of drama, entertainment, lifestyle, kids, docos, reality & more
- Sport: over 50 sports live plus select sports in 4K Ultra HD
- Multiscreen: watch on another screen with the smart TV app or casting
- No satellite required: connect via the internet
- More terms: New residential customers and standard install only. Foxtel cancel fee applies.
- Offer ends 11/11/24.
- No set-up costs
- 12 Month Contract
- Foxtel Plus: 50+ channels of drama, entertainment, lifestyle, kids, docos, reality & more
- Multiscreen: watch on another screen with the smart TV app or casting
- No satellite required: connect via the internet
- New residential customers and standard install only. Foxtel cancel fee applies.
- No Lock-in Contract
- Foxtel Plus: 50+ channels of drama, entertainment, lifestyle, kids, docos, reality & more
- Multiscreen: watch on another screen with the smart TV app or casting
- No satellite required: connect via the internet
- Foxtel min cost based on selected pack with iQ5 + eHDD.
Min Cost - $1008 on a 12 month direct debit plan. New customers only.
- Spring Sale: $44/mth off for 12 months
- No set-up costs
- 12 Month Contract
- Foxtel Plus: 50+ channels of drama, entertainment, lifestyle, kids, docos, reality & more
- Sport: over 50 sports live plus select sports in 4K Ultra HD
- Movies: 1,000+ movies on demand
- Multiscreen: watch on another screen with the smart TV app or casting
- No satellite required: connect via the internet
- More terms: New residential customers and standard install only. Foxtel cancel fee applies.
- Offer ends 11/11/24.
Min Cost - $1032 on a 12 month direct debit plan. New customers only.
- Spring Sale: $34/mth off for 12 months
- Netflix: Standard Plan included
- No set-up costs
- 12 Month Contract
- Foxtel Plus: 50+ channels of drama, entertainment, lifestyle, kids, docos, reality & more
- Sport: over 50 sports live plus select sports in 4K Ultra HD
- Multiscreen: watch on another screen with the smart TV app or casting
- No satellite required: connect via the internet
- New residential customers and standard install only. Foxtel cancel fee applies.
- Offer ends 11/11/24.
Min Cost - $1032 on a 12 month direct debit plan. New customers only.
- Spring Sale: $29/mth off for 12 months
- Netflix: Standard Plan included
- No set-up costs
- 12 Month Contract
- Foxtel Plus: 50+ channels of drama, entertainment, lifestyle, kids, docos, reality & more
- Movies: 1,000+ movies on demand
- Multiscreen: watch on another screen with the smart TV app or casting
- No satellite required: connect via the internet
- New residential customers and standard install only. Foxtel cancel fee applies.
- Offer ends 11/11/24.
- Netflix: Standard Plan included
- No Lock-in Contract
- Foxtel Plus: 50+ channels of drama, entertainment, lifestyle, kids, docos, reality & more
- Multiscreen: watch on another screen with the smart TV app or casting
- No satellite required: connect via the internet
- Foxtel min cost based on selected pack with iQ5 + eHDD.
- No set-up costs
- Netflix: Standard Plan included
- 12 Month Contract
- Foxtel Plus: 50+ channels of drama, entertainment, lifestyle, kids, docos, reality & more
- Multiscreen: watch on another screen with the smart TV app or casting
- No satellite required: connect via the internet
- More terms: New residential customers and standard install only. Foxtel cancel fee applies.
- No Lock-in Contract
- Foxtel Plus: 50+ channels of drama, entertainment, lifestyle, kids, docos, reality & more
- Movies: 1,000+ movies on demand
- Multiscreen: watch on another screen with the smart TV app or casting
- No satellite required: connect via the internet
- Foxtel min cost based on selected pack with iQ5 + eHDD.
Min Cost - $1188 on a 12 month direct debit plan. New customers only.
- Spring Sale: $46/mth off for 12 months
- Netflix: Standard Plan included
- No set-up costs
- 12 Month Contract
- Foxtel Plus: 50+ channels of drama, entertainment, lifestyle, kids, docos, reality & more
- Sport: over 50 sports live plus select sports in 4K Ultra HD
- Movies: 1,000+ movies on demand
- Multiscreen: watch on another screen with the smart TV app or casting
- No satellite required: connect via the internet
- More terms: New residential customers and standard install only. Foxtel cancel fee applies.
- Offer ends 11/11/24.
- No Lock-in Contract
- Foxtel Plus: 50+ channels of drama, entertainment, lifestyle, kids, docos, reality & more
- Sport: over 50 sports live plus select sports in 4K Ultra HD
- Multiscreen: watch on another screen with the smart TV app or casting
- No satellite required: connect via the internet
- Foxtel min cost based on selected pack with iQ5 + eHDD.
- 10-Day FREE Trial
- No Lock-in Contract
- Essentials: 30+ channels of Entertainment, Drama, Lifestyle, Comedy & News
- Movies: over 1000 movies on demand
- Sport: over 50 live sports to stream
- Drama Extra: premium drama channels from the UK & US
- Docos: factual channels like Discovery, Real Crime, and Real History
- Kids: family-friendly entertainment that kids love and parents trust
- Netflix: Standard Plan included
- No Lock-in Contract
- Foxtel Plus: 50+ channels of drama, entertainment, lifestyle, kids, docos, reality & more
- Movies: 1,000+ movies on demand
- Multiscreen: watch on another screen with the smart TV app or casting
- No satellite required: connect via the internet
- Foxtel min cost based on selected pack with iQ5 + eHDD.
- Netflix: Standard Plan included
- No Lock-in Contract
- Foxtel Plus: 50+ channels of drama, entertainment, lifestyle, kids, docos, reality & more
- Sport: over 50 sports live plus select sports in 4K Ultra HD
- Multiscreen: watch on another screen with the smart TV app or casting
- No satellite required: connect via the internet
- Foxtel min cost based on selected pack with iQ5 + eHDD.
Weekly
- all regular and post season games
- No Lock-in Contract
- Super Bowl LVIII
- NFL Network and RedZone
- NFL Draft rounds 1-7 live
- 2022 season highlights and replays
- 2023 NFL Scouting combine
- NFL originals and program
- Highlights and more
- No Lock-in Contract
- Foxtel Plus: 50+ channels of drama, entertainment, lifestyle, kids, docos, reality & more
- Sport: over 50 sports live plus select sports in 4K Ultra HD
- Movies: 1,000+ movies on demand
- Multiscreen: watch on another screen with the smart TV app or casting
- No satellite required: connect via the internet
- Foxtel min cost based on selected pack with iQ5 + eHDD.
- Netflix Standard Plan included
- No Lock-in Contract
- Foxtel Plus: 50+ channels of drama, entertainment, lifestyle, kids, docos, reality & more
- Sport: over 50 sports live plus select sports in 4K Ultra HD
- Movies: 1,000+ movies on demand
- Multiscreen: watch on another screen with the smart TV app or casting
- No satellite required: connect via the internet
- Foxtel min cost based on selected pack with iQ5 + eHDD.
Season Pro
- all regular and post season games
- No Lock-in Contract
- Super Bowl LVIII
- NFL Network and RedZone
- NFL Draft rounds 1-7 live
- 2022 season highlights and replays
- 2023 NFL Scouting combine
- NFL originals and program
- Highlights and more
Show all plans
Last audited 31st of Aug 2023
The evolution of free-to-air television in Australia — Your Ultimate Guide
Channel Seven, Channel Nine, Channel Ten, ABC and SBS — these free-to-air networks have seen significant changes in recent years, going from virtually our only viewing choice to just one of a plethora of options. With this changing landscape, these networks needed to adapt and that is exactly what they have done with the development of their own individual streaming apps, each with a unique array of shows available both live and on demand.
Just a few short years ago,
This certainly worked for the free-to-air networks, but for the consumers, it wasn’t exactly ideal. If you wanted to catch your favourite shows, you needed to be in front of your television at the time of airing, and your choice of what to watch was essentially limited to whatever was playing on the five FTA networks at any given time.
Relatively rapidly, things started to change. Cable and satellite TV came along, offering a far wider range of content than what was previously on offer, and throwing up a serious challenge to the programming on free to air networks. Soon after, the FTA networks switched to digital broadcasting, which would ultimately enable them to add on extra channels – the likes of 7Mate and 10Bold to which we are now accustomed – and offer up more programming.
But this wouldn’t be enough to remain competitive. Fortunately, the switch to digital broadcasting enabled our FTA networks to keep up, providing them with the ability to develop their own dedicated online streaming platforms starting with ABC’s iView back in 2008. Check out our review of free to air streaming apps.
The development of free-to-air streaming apps
With the launch of iView in July of 2008 (see iView review here), the way we watched television changed. Though it was only initially available as a Flash website, the amount of platforms on which it was available rapidly grew, and with it our expectations regarding how we watch television. Needing to be on the couch, in front of our TV, and watching whatever happened to be airing at the time was no longer enough – we needed greater flexibility.
And so, inevitably, the other FTA networks followed suit. Network Seven’s iView equivalent launched early in 2010 as PLUS7 (it’s now known as 7Plus, see review here), while Channel Nine’s FIXPlay (today known as 9Now) became available a couple of months later. SBS On Demand began in September the following year, with SBS World Movies, a channel dedicated to international cinema, becoming available from July 2019. Meanwhile, TenPlay lagged a little behind, launching in September of 2013 – prior to this launch, some catch-up programming was available on Ten’s website, though it was relatively limited. Find out how TenPlay fare with this review.
Though they might have been slower than most to get their initial app out, Ten has now moved the goalposts once again, adding a second streaming service to their repertoire in the form of 10 All Access. 10 All Access is a CBS-owned catch-up service which offers a range of content from both Network Ten and CBS itself, and which presents as a subscription service in the vein of Netflix or Stan rather than a traditional free-to-air on-demand platform.
How to watch
These streaming apps weren’t immediately available on the range of platforms that they are today. For example, ABC iView could initially only be viewed on the Flash website, and it remained that way for a couple of years. Late in 2010, an iOS app became available for iPads, before a mobile equivalent was launched in the middle of 2012. At the end of 2013 an app for Android devices was developed, and it was then gradually made available for devices like various smart TVs, game consoles and more.
Today, all of these apps are widely available, ensuring that the vast majority of people will have the option of tuning in to their favourite shows whether they’re at home or on the go. The catch-up service websites enable streaming to Macs and PCs, while those after a little more flexibility can download apps for all of these networks to iOS and Android devices. Add in the likes of the array of Smart TVs on the market today, as well as various gaming consoles, and you’ve got a list of eligible devices with something to suit virtually everyone.
It’s important to note that you’ll require broadband to use many of these apps. Some internet service providers enable you to combine your entertainment services with broadband and TV bundles, making it easier to keep track of your bills and ensuring you never miss out on your favourite shows. Telstra, for example, offers a Telstra TV included in their unlimited data packages. Not only does this mean you never need to worry about going over your data limit, but the Telstra TV (see our Telstra TV review here) enables a universal search for shows across different apps to make it easier to find your favourites.
The benefits of streaming apps
The primary benefit is, of course, the ability to tune in to what you want, where you want. Gone are the days of needing to be at home on your couch for the solitary time that your favourite show would air. Find yourself sitting on the train on the way home from work when something you want to watch is on? No problem. Simply tune in on your eligible device and watch it on the go. Prefer to watch it on your big screen? Again, not an issue. With the ability to delve into a huge library of catch-up television – it varies from show to show and network to network, but you can generally find anything from the last couple of episodes to entire series’ of TVs biggest hits – you can simply wait until a time that suits you.
And of course, this flexibility is par for the course in the era of streaming television. With the advent of Netflix and the various other streaming platforms that have popped up in recent years like Amazon Prime Video and BINGE, more and more people are opting to watch their favourite shows on devices other than their television, and the ability to tune in on your own terms, rather than when the TV guide tells you to, is standard fare.
VOD (Video On Demand) has rapidly become a necessity rather than a luxury, and free-to-air streaming apps have had no choice but to keep up. Contributing significantly to this is the demand for sport when and where we want it – Foxtel Now and Kayo Sports have made it possible to stream your favourite sports both live and on demand, meaning if you miss the first bounce of the big game you can simply start from the beginning when you’re ready. With the huge amount of sport available on free-to-air television, this is a major reason why these networks have needed to create apps which enable viewers to do just that, though depending on the broadcast deals there can at times be limited VOD availability for certain sports on free-to-air apps.
Costs and advertisements
Perhaps the biggest advantage of free-to-air streaming apps is the cost, or lack thereof. The free aspect of these networks remains, whether you’re watching live on TV or through the catch-up streaming service, with the exception to this being 10 All Access.
Of course, these networks need to make money somehow, so you’ll still be forced to sit through some advertising on the catch-up services (with the exception of the 10 All Access streaming platform, which makes money through the subscription fee rather than ads). However, the quantity of this advertising is generally significantly less than you’ll find on live free-to-air television – where you might find close to ten minutes of advertising during a program, which lasts half an hour on live TV, watching the same program on a catch-up service will likely bring you two or three ad breaks of a minute or so, enabling you to get through more programming in less time.
Essentially, these advertisements exist in place of the subscription fee which you pay for many other services. Whether this is better or worse is up to individual preference – considering the range of content available on the likes of Netflix, Stan, BINGE, and Foxtel Now, the fact that some services like hayu cost less than $10/month, and the presence of a free trial on most of these platforms, many would prefer to fork out some small change each month, but this will inevitably vary from person to person.
Is it for you?
Ultimately, whether or not you get significant use out of these streaming apps depends on whether or not you enjoy the content. If there’s nothing there that you want to watch, then no amount of available devices or flexibility will make them worthwhile. However, with each network now boasting at least three different channels, and an increasing amount of past content available on these streaming services, it’s becoming more and more likely that there’ll be something available to suit your needs. And with these free-to-air services the only remaining way to get access to great television without needing to reach into your back pocket, there’s very little reason not to give them a try.