Foxtel shuts FX channel, moves key content to Showcase
Foxtel will close its FX channel from the end of the month with key programs moving to Showcase, the company has revealed.
In a note to subscribers, Foxtel said due to evolving “consumer viewing habits” it was reviewing a number of channels to assess whether they meet performance criteria.
As a result, FX will shut from February 28.
From March 1, key shows including The Walking Dead will move to Showcase on 114.
“Already known as Australia’s ‘Home of HBO’, the addition of all the FX content will see showcase transformed as a drama ‘super channel’, filled with Foxtel original dramas and exclusive, first-run hits, express from the US all in one easy to find channel location,” the letter said.
“What’s more, many FX shows and complete seasons will also join the rich library of content available through On Demand^, meaning you’ll be able to stream them anytime, anywhere and on any compatible device – all at no extra cost.”
The axing of FX is the second time it has been removed from Australia airwaves. It first aired in Australia from 1995 to 2003, before rebranding to W. It then returned in 2012.
Other channels closing on the same day are Eurosportnews and Nat Geo People. It was announced Nat Geo People would stop broadcasting locally last week.
Breaking sports news will now run on the Fox Sports News channel and documentaries will remain available on National Geographic and National Geographic on Demand.
Beyond programming, Foxtel has experienced major changes in the last six months. The merger between Foxtel and Fox Sports was confirmed six months ago with it being cleared by the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission late last year.
Since then Foxtel, has seen the departure of executive director of channel aggregation and sales Deanne Weir in September as well as managing director of customer and retail Mark Buckman.
Last week it was also announced Foxtel CEO Peter Tonagh would step down, with Fox Sports CEO Patrick Delany to take the helm.
Can somebody please explain to me how this makes sense from a financial POV?
Wouldn’t they be better off keeping the FX channel for the additional ad revenue? If they are porting the shows over to Showcase then would still have to pay licencing fees, but consolidating it to a channel that doesn’t show as many ads makes little sense to me.
Anyway, doesn’t look good for the already bleeding company.
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Foxtel doesn’t own the FX channel, it’s just available on their platform, therefore they don’t earn any ad revenue from it.
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That makes two channels being axed at the end of the month,doesn’t look good for people using the streaming service.
I received an email saying they were closing the NatGeo People station at the end of the month .
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If foxtel get rid of chanels then foxtel should lower what we pay monthly, foxtel needs to stop ripping people off before they loose out to netflix and stan., stop being greedy and start looking aftet your customers.
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The World Movies channel has quietly disappeared too.
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Foxtel lost me as soon as TCM was removed. Then World movies. Only kept on by my partners addiction to Lifestyle. Would otherwise dump after many years of paying too much !
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So does the merger of Fox and Fox Sports mean we can finally start looking forward to cheaper Fox Sports package prices?
Call me a cynic, but I doubt it.
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World movies is still on foxtel
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If Foxtel closes channels then they should replace with new channels
I don’t understand why Foxtel has multiple channels e.g. comedy
comedy plus 1
Etc etc
Also the movies they are constantly repeated over and over
How about putting different movies instead of
Rocky
Rambo
Indiana Jones
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I noticed that too. I thought whats going on here.
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Have been long term Foxtel Platinum Customer but now with all the channel changes and removals but still increasing charges yearly currently $137 for Platinum per month and Stan at $10 I believe they seriously need to lower there pricing.
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Have had Foxtel (through Optus ) for over twenty years. I originally subscribed for the great films on offer without advts.
This has become hopeless, listing mainly repeats & nothing new.
And now World Movies has disappeared. No notice. No drop in subscription.
What’s going on?
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Foxtel sports news will never cover all the sports eurosport covers. I for one will miss all the euro football news they supply. Another swipe at all there Regular members. Time for a massive price drop for platinum members. Going to be ripped off again.
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Yet again the same management making the same changes like axing TCM resulting in 15k disconnecting Foxtel customer’s many 15year loyal customer base. This time FX and World Movies with both loyal long-term customer base being with Foxtel. Internally the same scripts have been emailed out how nothing changes just down load the stuff stream it from your box or hope it goes to Showcase chanel etc and of course the monthly payments dont change! If you’re calling Foxtel to complain and are lucky you get to talk to someone in Mooneeponds at customer service, if your unlucky you get CSI in South Africa (listen to the noise of lots of people talking) they will stick to the script then transfer your call to customer saves or Retention team and then transfer you to an IVR to rate their call from 1 to 10. Sadly the same managers keep changing only their job titles and getting more pay whilst cutting the pay of front line staff removing Annual Incentive bonus etc, slashing comission, sending the same “Getting Match Fit” propaganda and explaining why they are so good and why we need to be Customer Hero’s. ….if only Patrick the new CEO would spend a week on the phone listening to what his own backyard is saying maybe their might be hope of real change for the benefit of happy staff and customers!
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As long as E!, Arena, TLC and MTV live on, I will remain continue to LOVE Foxtel and the wonderful trashy TV that Netflix and Stan don’t deliver.
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Totally agree with Foxtel reviewing their charges. So many changes to viewing channels. We weren’t aware that World Movies would be cut. Now left wondering why we still pay same fee!! I too am not happy. Only thing left is pull the plug.
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just signed up for movie channel.again.find no world movies..wasnt told.still charged old fee.RIPP OFF..
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For those many people who said above there was no mention of World Movies being removed – yes there was It was in the Foxtel Magazine about 2 months before it happened.
They don’t seem to care about customers who don’t buy the Foxtel Magazine.
Like they don’t care about their customers full stop.
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Foxtel is just a cosy monopoly carved out to enrich the owners. The fact that it is so protected is an embarrassment. Its tech platform is pedestrian; content packaging amateur; and its customer service is non-existent. The sooner more people pull the plug and stop feeding it the better.
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So I have to stream to get some shows now that FX is gone..FOXTEL is now officially a joke. ..I don’t like steaming by the way..if it wasnt for Fox Sports how many subscribers would they have.
And why do they show the Trump chAnne aka Fox News what a flog of a station and Sky News the clone of Trump channel and leave proper channels bloody alone
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