Foxtel CEO Patrick Delaney has officially announced the launch of Hubbl, a new television streaming offering that promises to “change the TV and streaming experience”. Unveiled to the public on Monday, Hubbl brings your favourite shows and movies together in one place by aggregating subscriptions in one view, but just how does it work and is the Hubbl price worth the investment?
What is Hubbl?
According to the creators, Hubbl is a streaming platform that aggregates content from third-party apps such as Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and many more, giving Australian users access to thousands of hours of premium entertainment and sports. The platform allows you to manage all of your subscriptions in one place, without needing to have multiple logins and providers. According to Delaney, this process will simplify how users search and watch content, providing a better user experience.
“Hubbl will effortlessly fuse free and paid entertainment and sport from Australia’s favourite apps, channels, live TV and the internet into one seamless user experience,” Delaney said in a press release upon the launch. “Hubbl is only as good as the breadth and depth of apps integrated onto the platform to ensure a truly converged streaming experience and in removing frustration when it comes to the choice of what to watch. It’s a huge testament to the transformative Hubbl technology that these world-class and much-loved local partners have chosen to reshape the streaming experience with us. The future of TV and streaming is here.”
The Foxtel CEO also went on to reveal that while the new entertainment operating system is available as a small device that plugs into any compatible TV, new formats are already in the works. Hubbl is currently working on Hubbl Glass – a TV with Hubbl and a high-quality, built-in sound bar that only requires an internet connection and a power cord, no other wires.
Hubbl is powered by one remote with voice control that will allow you to find apps or channels, search for content, control playback, change settings and more. The universal remote also comes equipped with select app buttons at the top to navigate straight to Kayo Sports, BINGE and Netflix as well as a Watchlist (+) button to add content you want to watch later to your profile.
“Hubbl stands out from the pack by offering live TV without an aerial, seamless subscription management at the touch of a button, more discoverability and personalisation as well as allowing customers to stack up to five eligible streaming apps and save up to $15 per month on their subscriptions,” Les Wigan, managing director of Hubbl said. “With the major free and paid apps available on Hubbl and more to come, there is nothing like the world of entertainment it unlocks.”
Hubbl Price and Release Date
The official Hubbly pricing and specifications have now been announced, with the platform available for AUD$99 at Harvey Norman and JB Hi-Fi stores nationwide. Hubbl Glass will be available exclusively at Harvey Norman. The full Hubbl price breakdown, including information on Hubbl Glass is below:
- Hubbl will be available at $99 (AUD)
- Hubbl Glass will be available in two sizes and five colours (Anthracite Black, Ocean Blue, Racing Green, Dusky Pink and Ceramic White)
- Hubbl Glass 55” will be available at $1,595 (AUD)
- Hubbl Glass 65” will be available at $1,995 (AUD)
Importantly, Hubbl does not require a monthly subscription, however, you will need to have separate app subscriptions. Additionally, the new otption officially replaces the current Foxtel-backed subscription service Streamotion. From 14 February 2024, Hubbl assumed the operations for platforms Kayo Sports, BINGE and Flash, a change that many users noted in their subscription billing. User’s ‘My Account’ transitioned to a consolidated Hubbl ‘My Account’ on that date, with all emails and text messages now sent from Hubbl.
What Apps are on Hubbl?
According to Delaney, Hubbl will house content from a wide array of global streaming services. This includes:
- Netflix
- Disney+
- Prime Video
- YouTube
- Apple TV+
- Paramount+
Additionally, Hubbl will also provide access to local streaming apps through the service. Foxtel-backed platforms such as BINGE and Kayo Sports will take precedence, however, many other domestic partners and free streaming apps are on board. The full list of local platforms available on Hubbl includes;
- Kayo Sports
- Stan
- BINGE
- Optus Sport
- Flash
- ABC iView
- ABC Kids
- SBS On Demand
- 7plus
- 9Now
- 10 Play
The company has also confirmed that as part of the launch of Hubbl, LifeStyle, a new streaming app that brings together the best lifestyle content, will also launch on the platform.
What is LifeStyle?
LifeStyle is a new streaming app, available on Hubbl, that showcases several programs featured on Foxtel Group’s Lifestyle, Lifestyle Home and Lifestyle Food channels. According to Foxtel, the new LifeStyle offering will house more than 9,000 hours of local and international cooking, property, renovation and travel content at launch.
The platform with be available via subscription of AUD$8/month for one stream, and features popular series like Gogglebox, MasterChef, Escape to the Chateau and The Great Australian Bake Off.
Hubbl FAQs
Streaming platform Hubbl will house apps including Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV+, Paramount+, Kayo Sports, Stan, BINGE, Optus Sport, Flash, ABC iView, ABC Kids, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now, and 10 Play.
According to the team behind Kayo Sports and BINGE provider Streamotion, the company is launching Hubbl under a new brand. This means all payments will change over to Hubbl, with billing and messages to be sent under this name.
Foxtel’s new streaming aggregator Hubbl is priced at AUD$99. It is available via the official Hubbl website and at stockists Harvey Norman and JB Hi-Fi. Hubbl Glass will be available in two sizes and five colours (Anthracite Black, Ocean Blue, Racing Green, Dusky Pink and Ceramic White). The Hubbl Glass 55” is priced at AUD$1,595 and the Hubbl Glass 65” is priced at AUD$1,995.
