Credit: Kayo
Quibi
Credit: Quibi What’s good about it?
Quibi is a new streaming service that's looking to pair up big name talent and bite-sized content. Unlike Netflix or Stan, Quibi is all about short 8-10 minute episodes. However, don't confuse that pitch with the hokey web-series of the early 2000s. Some of the shows on the platform have big Hollywood names involved like Steven Spielberg, Sam Raimi and Lena Waithe and if you're looking for a welcome break from the latest indulgent 55-minute prestige drama that Twitter won't shut up about, Quibi might be exactly what you're looking for.
What’s less good about it?
At this stage, you can't watch Quibi on your desktop or smart TV.
Originally, the streaming service was conceived for a world where people would consume bite-sized, Hollywood-produced content on their way to work or while waiting in line for their coffee. Unfortunately, given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions on movement and social activities, that idealised use-case for Quibi hasn't really come to pass.
Right now, most of the people who potentially sign up for Quibi are stuck at home and not being able to watch or Cast the platform's zany original series to the largest screen you have in your home is a genuine drawback.
Does it offer 4K and HDR Content?
The best Quibi can offer is 1080p content but given that its original series are meant to be seen on a smartphone or tablet, that's not necessarily going to be a dealbreaker for most people.
How much does it cost?
While US customers have the choice of either paying for a version of Quibi with or without ads, Australians are just stuck with a flat AU$12.99/month subscription fee.
You can find out more about signing up for Quibi here.
Kayo
Credit: Kayo What’s good about it?
Kayo is the only dedicated sports streaming service in Australia. So if you’re after on-demand sports content, there’s a lot to like about it. Kayo offers up a compelling lineup of content that covers both local leagues like the AFL and NRL and international fare like the NBA and NFL.
The complete list of sports available on Kayo can be found here.
What’s less good about it?
The main drawback to Kayo is that it’s substantially more expensive than the other options and there’s not a huge amount of diversity to the content on it. If you want to watch something that’s not sports, Kayo is going to end up being only one of several streaming services you’re subscribed to.
Credit: Kayo Does it offer 4K and HDR Content?
Kayo does not currently offer 4K and HDR content.
How much does it cost?
Kayo is offered on two pricing tiers.
The Basic package is priced at $25 per month while the Premium package is priced at $35 per month. The difference here is that premium option gets you access to more simultaneous streams (2 vs 3) and additional sporting news, highlight and commentary content.
Foxtel Now
What’s good about it?
Credit: Foxtel The main thing in the favor of Foxtel Now is that, assuming you’re subscribed to the relevant channel pack, it offers access to the cable service’s biggest shows and, more-specifically, their HBO-produced content like Game of Thrones, True Detective and Sharp Objects.
What’s less good about it?
Much like the traditional cable TV service its name is derived from, subscribing to Foxtel Now can be convoluted and usually involves paying for content you might not actually want to watch.
Where Netflix and Stan have comparatively simple pricing structures, Foxtel Now’s content is split across a half dozen or so different channel packs. These vary in pricing but the entire package totals out at $104 per month if you want everything.
Does it offer 4K and HDR Content?
Foxtel Now does not currently offer 4K and HDR content.
How much does it cost?
Pricing for Foxtel Now varies depending on which channel packs you choose. The cheaper packs cost $10/month while the more expensive options are $29/month. If you don’t own a smart TV or a compatible streaming hub, you’ll also need to buy the $99 Foxtel Now streaming box.
Credit: Foxtel Unfortunately, you have to buy the $25 “entry pack” before buying any specific add-on channel packs. This means that even before you’re getting to paying for the stuff you actually want, Foxtel Now is already more expensive than Netflix, Stan or Amazon Prime Video.
The full pricing breakdown for Foxtel Now is as follows:
The Pop and Lifestyle packs are packaged as a bundle and priced at $25/month
The Premium Pack is priced at $10/month
The Sport pack is priced at $29/month
The Movies pack is priced at $20/month
A bundle containing all packs is also available for $104/month
Ten All Access
Credit: Channel 10 What’s good about it?
If you’re a fan of Ten’s regular TV content and would prefer to watch it on your terms, Ten All Access is a service that lets you do exactly that. You won’t find top of the line prestige dramas like True Detective here but if you’re after things like NCIS, CSI and Blue Bloods - Ten All Access has a lot to offer.
What’s less good about it?
You won’t find much in the way of original programming here. At the time of writing, Ten All Access is all third-party content.
Given that CBS now owns Channel Ten, it’s expected that future original content produced for the CBS All Access service offered in overseas markets may be exclusive to the service. However, at the time of writing, the reality does not quite reflect this.
Credit: Channel 10 Some CBS originals like Tell Me A Story are exclusive to Ten All Access. However, CBS’ biggest original series to date Star Trek: Discovery remains available to Australian viewers via Netflix - which hurts the case for subscribing to Ten All Access.
Does it offer 4K and HDR Content?
Ten All Access does not offer 4K and HDR content.
How much does it cost?
Ten All Access is priced at $10/month.
Hayu
Credit: Hayu What’s good about it?
Like Ten All Access and Kayo, Hayu is a streaming service that caters to a specific audience: diehard fans of reality TV. If you’re keen to binge some Keep Up With The Kardashians, The Real Housewives or Top Chef, it’s the streaming service to go for.
What’s less good about it?
Hayu’s app can be a little clunky and can sometimes be not as well supported by Smart TV vendors as the other streaming services like Netflix or Stan. That said, the app does have ChromeCast support - which makes up some of the difference.
Credit: Hayu Hayu also lacks any sort of original programming. It’s all syndicated content.
Does it offer 4K and HDR Content?
Hayu does not support 4K and HDR content.
How much does it cost?
Hayu is priced competitively at $6.99/month.
