Internet television in Australia consists of five major PPV providers, in addition to several niche television streaming offerings. Australia's five major networks all offer previously broadcast content to watch via the Internet or via podcasts - drawing on both domestic and foreign content.
Downloads from the Internet are counted in Australia, with ISPs offering download quotas which limit the amount of downloads permitted. Video files are large. Some ISPs offer quota free options for partnered television services, which is known as "unmetered" content.
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FetchTV launched a cable-like subscription service in 2010, offering English and foreign-language pay-TV channels, some on-demand content and the functionality of a personal video recorder at a cost of about $20 to $30.[1] The ABC has also held talks regarding its on-demand "iview" content being shown on Fetch TV.
iiNet launched the service in July 2010.[2] Internode also launched an Early Adopters Trial program for a select number of customers in September 2010 with plans to release to the general public late 2010/early 2011 [3] and Adam Internet announced their plans to launch the service only days after the Internode trial had begun.[4] Note that FetchTV is NOT related to FetchTV UK.
In Feb 2006, Bigpond Movies was launched.[8] This is a Video on demand rental (PPV) service using progressive download, meaning that the video is downloaded (rather than streamed) and viewers can commence watching once enough of the download is completed that they can view the program uninterrupted to its finish.
The service offers movies for rental and for purchase, as well as purchasing of TV shows from some networks. Content is viewable on Windows PCs.
Foxtel launched an on-demand full-length internet download service in September 2009, as well as free "catch up TV" service, to Foxtel subscribers [9] (broadband-only subscriptions are under consideration). Customers can only download content from the channels they subscribe to as part of their Foxtel subscription. They will also offer streaming video beginning when they show the Olympics.[10]
Microsoft Australia launch a movie rental service in November 2009 for Xbox 360 owners, via the Australian Zune Video Marketplace.[11] Movies are available in standard or high definition, and can be streamed or downloaded.
In August 2008, Apple Inc. computer began offering movies for rental and for purchase, as well as purchasing of TV show titles from ABC in the US, ABC Australia, the Disney Channel, MTV, and Channel 9.[12]
Content is provided via the iTunes Australia Store and is viewable on iTunes on Windows or Mac, as well as on the Apple TV (a set top box), iPhones, & video capable iPods.
TiVo is a Digital Video Recorder for Free-to-Air television. It also offers Internet features.
Blockbuster Australia was due to commence online movie rentals in March 2009.[14] This was delayed, and launched at the end of April. This service was available to TiVo set top box owners in Australia, and offered in partnership with the Seven network. TiVo discontinued its Blockbuster service on 5 March 2010.[15]
In December 2009, TiVo launched a new service for downloading TV shows and movies to TiVo subscribers, named CASPA
TPG customers can access IPTV channels like Bloomberg TV, Al Jazeera and Russia Today.[16] It is the only ISP to offer streaming subscription TV channels direct to its subscribers. This is currently a free trial, and channels are sent unencrypted and viewed on customer's computers. It is only available to select TPG Soul exchanges.
Through Freeview, the free-to-air broadcasters have signed a new initiative for an industry-wide video hub - details of what content will be carried is unknown. ABC's iview technology is the frontrunner to deliver the service.[17] The FTA broadcasters currently offer some independent services, all of which use IP Address Geolocation to ensure only Australian users can view the content and Adobe Flash (except Nine's FixPlay which uses Silverlight). All videos do not stay on the service permanently and do "expire", after which they cannot be seen via the service.