Foxtel launches Game of Thrones special offer with $30 price point
Foxtel has announced it will offer consumers wanting to watch the upcoming Season 5 of hit US drama series Game of Thrones a special entry price of $30 per month.
The special offer is being driven by concerns around piracy with last year’s release of Season 4 of Game of Thrones among the most pirated programs of 2014.
The pay-TV operator today announced special pricing targeted for fans of the show with customers, who sign up to streaming service Foxtel Play between 23 March and 30 April 2015, able to access the premium movies and drama package, which allows access to the hit HBO program for an additional $5 on top of the standard $25 entry price. They will also be able to access the library of Seasons 1-4 of the program.
While the $30 price is only for three months the offer appears to be a further attempt by Foxtel to combat criticism of the entry price point to access the show.
Foxtel executive director of marketing, Ed Smith, said in a statement: “Game of Thrones is a world-wide phenomenon that ranks among the highest in ‘must-see’ drama. We’ve worked closely with HBO to provide exclusive first run broadcast to season 5, along with our new timing simulcast with the US, to give Australian fans access to this brilliant series as quickly as possible; and now, with our special pricing on Foxtel Play, we’re looking forward to sharing the experience with as many people as possible as the drama behind this unforgettable series continues to unfold.”
Last year saw Foxtel heavily criticised for the way it made access to Game of Thrones available and for the entry price which was in excess of $50 per month.
Nic Christensen
I can smell their desperation from here
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It’s kind of pointless to screw around on price when the alternative is the customer just getting the specific content they want for free.
Foxtel has always been overpriced for what it is. 30 minutes of rerun content and 30 minutes of the same 5 ads over and over again.
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I miss the days when I could buy an episode of Game of Thrones on iTunes within 24 hours of the episode going to air. No sign ups, no contracts, just shut up and take my money for the specific episode I want.
Alas, Foxtel strangled that content avenue, much to my disappointment. Now I give no one my money and go to friends’ houses to watch their Foxtel for Game of Thrones. No one wins.
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Seems like Mum’s the word on how long after the US screening before it’s available to Australia which is more than half the issue with piracy of the program. In the “digital era”, the availability and sense of immediacy needs to be tackled as part of the overall access issue.
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Will wait for iTunes or google play thanks
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@GSOAB – It’s being broadcast at exactly the same time
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Ahoy mateys!
Forget Foxtel’s desperate attempt at staying relevant and join me on the high seas on content piracy!
Pillage and plunder all the torrents ye want and dont forget to bring ye hard drive!
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Fuck that.
I think that pirated content is WAY over-priced. Someone should pay me for watching all their shit.
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Arrrr BlackTorrent!
An excellent idea for side revenue while I plunder!
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@8 beard pirate.
Amen to that!
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Pssst Blackbeard.
It is spelt “Aaarrgghhhh”.
I’m beginning to think that you are not a real pirate but some scurvy dog!
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