Foxtel is launching two new movie channels: Aussie Classics and British Cinema. British Cinema is available now, and Aussie Classics arrives on Tuesday, February 25th. However, both channels will initially only be in standard definition.
Here’s What Happened: Aussie Classics, a partnership with Umbrella Entertainment, will feature iconic Australian films and TV shows like BMX Bandits, Walkabout, Storm Boy and Skippy (TV). British Cinema, a collaboration with Transmission Films, includes British hits such as Slumdog Millionaire, Death at a Funeral, and Bend It Like Beckham.
What This Means Now: Foxtel subscribers get access to a library of classic Australian and British films. While the channels are permanent additions, video-on-demand access to the full film libraries is exclusive to Foxtel customers; BINGE users will only have access to the linear streams. The move comes after subscriber requests for new content following recent channel removals and price increases.
The Bigger Picture: The launch shows that Foxtel may still have an interest in adding new content, after a period of removing channels. It’s a response to user demand for more variety, and taps into the popularity of classic cinema. The partnerships with Umbrella Entertainment and Transmission Films secures content. The standard definition launch, however, may cause more consternation.
