Newsgroups: rec.video.satellite.dbs Date: Sun, 13 Apr 1997 11:21:31 GMT From: Liron Lightwood Organization: Netspace Online Systems Subject: Cable TV and Pay TV in Australia FAQ Archive-name: cable-pay-tv/australia/faq Posting-Frequency: every second month Last-modified: 1997/03/31 URL: http://www.netspace.net.au/~liron/cable-pay-tv/australia/faq.html Cable TV and Pay TV in Australia FAQ by Liron Lightwood Introduction This FAQ is about receiving pay TV in Australia. Here you will find details about channels and services available in Australia, plus channels and services that ought to be available in the near future. Cable TV, satellite delivered pay TV, and microwave delivered pay TV are covered. This FAQ is posted every second month. Table of Contents Section 1: Introduction * 1.1 What's new in this edition? * 1.2 Are there any disclaimers, copyright, etc. applying to this FAQ? * 1.3 How can I contribute to this FAQ? * 1.4 Where can I get a copy of the latest version of this FAQ? Section 2: Cable TV and Pay TV in Australia * 2.1 How do I get pay TV in Australia? * 2.2 How many people are watching pay TV in Australia? * 2.3 How much does it cost? * 2.4 Why should I pay for pay TV when I can watch regular TV for free? Section 3: Pay TV channels available in Australia * 3.1 What pay TV channels are available in Australia? * 3.2 What international channels are available in Australia? * 3.3 What other channels might be available in Australia in the near future? Section 4: Pay TV services available in Australia * 4.1 What pay TV services are available in Australia? Section 5: What is it like * 5.1 Where can I see pay TV in Australia? * 5.2 Where can I find a program guide with listings for pay TV channels? * 5.3 I heard that pay TV was supposed to be commercial free until mid 1997. Why then are there commercials on some channels (like CNBC Asia)? * 5.4 What's the situation with cable modems? Will I get 10 Mbit/s access to the internet via cable? * 5.5 Is Pay TV available in stereo? Does xxx broadcast in stereo? * 5.6 Where can I find out more about pay TV in Australia on the net? Section 6: Copyright, disclaimers, etc. * 6.1 Copyright * 6.2 Disclaimers * 6.3 Credits Cable TV and Pay TV in Australia FAQ Section 1: Introduction 1.1 What's new in this edition? Changes to channels and services: * CNBC, BBC, CMT and World Movies are now available on Austar in MT Isa via MDS. * Updated subscriber numbers. * Optus Vision has lifted its subscription prices. New rates are: Visions $29.95, Sports Fan $37.95, Movie Magic $39.95, Deluxe $44.95, additional set top unit $12 * Sky channel now expected to be available on Foxtel and Optus Vision some time in 1997 * Main Attraction, a pay per view channel, is now available on Optus Vision. * Premier All Star Sports appears to have ceased operation. However, Fox Sports is now available for pubs and clubs, as well as other subscribers. * ART and RAI now available on Optus Vision. * MTV Australia has commenced transmission on Optus Vision, replacing ARC Music TV, which has ceased transmission. * Red Music Television will be replaced by channel [V] commencing April 17 1997. * New channels expected for Optus Vision (including speculation) - documentary channel, arts & entertainment channel, religious channel. * WBTV - The Warner Channel, now expected by mid 1997 under a new name. * Foxtel now available in Perth. * FOX Sports 2 / Superleague Channel, a channel devoted to superleague, is now available on Foxtel, Galaxy and Austar. * New pay per view channel - Event TV - now available on Foxtel. * Added listings for pay TV services - Neighbourhood Cable and Northgate Ballarat. * TV Shopping Network now available ton Austar, but only via satellite. Changes to the FAQ: * Updated details on receiving pay TV via satellite and MDS in Section 2.1. * Updated viewer numbers in Section 2.2. * Updated details on cost in Section 2.3. * Updated Section 5.4 on cable modems. * New section 5.5 Is Pay TV available in stereo? Does xxx broadcast in stereo? * Added alt.satellite.tv.australisia to the list of newsgroups on Section 5.6, and to the list of newsgroups to which this FAQ is posted. New Links: * Kenn's Pay Tv Home Page * ART TV * FOX Sports Australia * TV Shopping Network * Northgate Communications Australia Old links: * MTV (worldwide) - http://www.global.mtv.com no longer seems to be in operation. 1.2 Are there any disclaimers, copyright, etc. applying to this FAQ? Yes. Please read Section 6 for all the details. 1.3 How can I contribute to this FAQ To contribute to this FAQ please send your e-mail to liron@netspace.net.au. People whose contributions are included in the FAQ will be listed in the Credits section at the end of the FAQ, unless you ask to be anonymous. 1.4 Where can I get a copy of the latest version of this FAQ? You can get a copy of the latest version of this FAQ on the World Wide Web, and via news Via the World Wide Web: The World Wide Web URL is: http://netspace.net.au/~liron/cable-pay-tv/australia/faq.html Via news: This FAQ is posted every second month to newsgroups aus.tv, rec.video.cable-tv, rec.video.satellite.dbs, alt.satellite.tv.australasia and soc.culture.australian. However, it may be posted more frequently from time to time at times when things change significantly in Australian pay TV. Cable TV and Pay TV in Australia FAQ Section 2: Cable TV and Pay TV in Australia 2.1 How do I get pay TV in Australia? Pay TV is available in Australia via three methods, via cable, via satellite, and via MDS. These three methods are discussed in greater detail in the following sections. Cable TV There are two major cable TV services available to Australian homes: Foxtel and Optus Vision. Foxtel passes around 1.5 million homes in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Adelaide, and Perth. Optus Vision passes over 2 million homes in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. By the end of 1999, Foxtel plans to pass 4 million homes and Optus Vision plans to pass 3 million homes. The total number of homes in Australia are about 6.2 million. There are plans for other regional cable TV providers to set up cable TV networks in Townsville, Darwin, and other parts of Australia. There is also a specialised cable TV service that provides limited cable TV to some hotels in Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns, and to businesses in the Sydney CBD. This service is provided by Telstra. Pay TV via satellite At present, there is only one direct to home satellite pay TV Service, consisting of 10 licensed satellite pay TV channels, a number of niche channels (e.g. foreign language channels, a business news, a home shopping channel, etc.), and a number of pay radio channels. This service is operated by Galaxy and distributed by Galaxy, Austar or East Coast Television, depending on what region you are in. From July 1 1997, satellite delivered pay TV will be deregulated, resulting in new pay TV channels being available via satellite. Already Optus Vision has announced plans to make its channels available via satellite from July 1 1997. A satellite dish mounted on the roof receives the signals. and passes them through an amplifier and downconverter on the dish. They are then carried via a cable into the home and to the set top unit. The size of the satellite dish required will vary from around 65 cm (26') in the mainland capital cities, to 120-150 cm or more in remote areas. This is due to the shaping of the satellite footprint. However, many people in rural areas will be able to use a 90 cm dish. The system used is a Ku band (12 Ghz) all-digital MPEG 2 and DVB compliant DBS system a little like the DBS systems available in the USA, the Middle East, South Africa, and soon to be available in the UK, Asia, South America, and elsewhere. The satellite used is the Optus B3 satellite located at 156 E. From July 1 1997, pay TV providers will be able to use other satellites. Pay TV via MDS MDS, which is also known as MMDS or wireless cable, uses microwaves to deliver signals to the home. Like satellite, MDS utilises a dish placed on the roof, connected via cable to a set top unit in the home. However, unlike satellite, the transmitter is ground based. Also, the dish required is much smaller (e.g. 20-30 cm (8-12 inches). In some cases, a dish is not required, only an antenna. The other main difference, MDS is only available within line of sight of a MDS transmitter or repeater. Pay TV services available by MDS include Galaxy, which is available in Sydney, Melbourne, Geelong, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, East Coast Television, which is available in Hobart, Wollongong and Newcastle, and Austar (formerly CETV), which is available in Cairns, Gold Coast, Townsville, Bendigo and Mt. Isa. Towoomba, Sunshine Coast and Launceston are expected to follow in the near future. There are several other foreign language channels in Sydney and Melbourne, and a tourist channel or two in Cairns and possibly the Gold Coast. MDS licenses have been allocated in most, if not all of the rest of Australia, so MDS will be spread progressively to other cities and towns over the next few years. Up to 19 analogue channels are available in each location within Australia. With digital transmission, the number of channels available will be greater. 2.2 How many people are watching pay TV in Australia? According to Galaxy's figures published recently, there were around 90,000 Galaxy subscribers. Foxtel has around 150,000 subscribers. Optus Vision has around 160,000 subscribers. Austar has around 120,000 subscribers and East Coast Television has around 10,000. This brings the total to around 530,000, or around 8.55% of households. 2.3 How much does it cost? Here are some examples of pay TV charges. Foxtel costs $29.95 for installation and $39.95 per month for their main channel package, plus $6.95 for World Movies, or $9.95 for the 5 extra channels in the Foxtel Entertainment Plus package. Optus Vision costs $29.95 for installation and $29.95-$44.95 per month for its main packages, depending on which channels are included. There is an extra $6 per month charge for Sports AFL, and $10 per month or more for each of the foreign language channel packages. Galaxy costs $199.95 for installation (via MDS or satellite) plus $49.95 per month for its basic channels. 2.4 Why should I pay for pay TV when I can watch regular TV for free? This is a question that has been asked by many people in Australia, especially TV stations, who probably don't want people switching over to pay TV. Since the part owners of two of these stations are major publishers in Australia and elsewhere, it's worth asking the following question:" Why should people pay for newspapers and magazines when they could get other newspapers and magazines for free? The answer I believe is similar: newspapers and magazines that you pay for provide many things better than the ones that are free. However, the reverse is also true, and each has its place. Cable TV and Pay TV in Australia FAQ Section 3: Pay TV channels available in Australia 3.1 What pay TV channels are available in Australia? Here is a summary of the channels available in Australia at the moment. To see which pay TV services offer these channels, please read Section 4. Movie Channels Showtime Premium movies, mainly from Paramount, Columbia/Tristar, Universal/MCA and 20th Century Fox. Available on Galaxy, Austar, East Coast Television and Foxtel. Encore Classic movies from the 50s to the 80's, mainly from Paramount, Columbia/Tristar, Universal/MCA and 20th Century Fox. Available on Galaxy, Austar, East Coast Television and Foxtel. The Movie Network Premium movies, mainly from the Disney, Warner Brothers, MGM and New Regency studios. Available on Optus Vision. The Movie Network 2 The same movies as on The Movie Network, but delayed by 2 hours. Unlike The Movie Network, this channel only operates during the afternoon and evening. Available on Optus Vision. Movie Greats Classic movies from the 50's, to the 80's, mainly from the Disney, Warner Brothers, MGM and New Regency studios. Available on Optus Vision. TNT Classic movies mainly from MGM and Warner, similar to TNT in Europe and Asia (not the US). Available on Foxtel and Optus Vision. World Movies Highbrow and arthouse movies from around the world in English and other languages. Available on Galaxy, Austar, East Coast Television and Foxtel. Expected to be available on Optus Vision in the future. Nightmoves Adult movie channel screening R rated movies. Available on Galaxy. See also fX in the general entertainment section. Sports channels Fox Sports Sports, with a strong emphasis on international sports. Similar to Star Sports in Asia and Prime Sports in the US. Available on Galaxy, Austar, East Coast Television and Foxtel. Fox Sports 2 / Superleague Channel Sports channel devoted to superleague. Available on Galaxy, Austar and Foxtel. Sky Channel Sports channel (mainly horse racing) during the day and evening, and rock music videos from 10pm-2am. Currently only available in pubs, clubs and hotels, however, may be available on Foxtel and Optus Vision (expected some time in 1997). ESPN Sports channel similar to ESPN in the US and Asia. Available on Optus Vision. Sports Australia Sports channel similar to Sports ESPN but with an emphasis on Australian sporting events, such as cricket, swimming, etc. Available on Optus Vision. Sports AFL A channel devoted entirely to Australian Rules Football. Available on Optus Vision. Sports Australia 2 This channel was operating during the Olympic games and occasionally carries some sporting events (e.g. replays of the Atlanta Olympics). It may be used in the future for other events. Available on Optus Vision. Pay Per View channels Main Attraction Pay Per View channel featuring sporting events (mainly boxing and wrestling), expanding to movies and concerts in the future. Each event must be paid for before it can be viewed. Available on Optus Vision. Event TV Pay Per View channel featuring sporting events (mainly boxing and wrestling). Each event must be paid for before it can be viewed. Available on Foxtel. General entertainment / variety channels TV1 Classic programs from the 50's to the early 90's, with an emphasis on US sitcoms. Similar in style to TBS in the US. Available on Galaxy, Austar, East Coast Television and Foxtel. Arena Mostly first run programs, with an emphasis on British programs, but there are also programs from the US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Programs include Brookside, Saturday Night Live, and Police Rescue. Available on Galaxy, Austar, East Coast Television and Foxtel. Fox Children's programs during the day, new and/or recent hit series, variety and drama at night. Available on Foxtel. fX Classic movies and general entertainment programs from the Fox library. Available on Foxtel. The Disney Channel - Australia Family oriented programs from Disney. Available on Optus Vision. thecomedychannel Comedy channel featuring new and old comedy from Australia, the US and the UK. Available on Galaxy and Foxtel. UK TV Classic programs from the BBC, Thames Television and Pearson's Television, and also Australian programs from Grundy Television. Available on Foxtel. Hallmark Entertainment Network Family oriented programming from Hallmark Entertainment, mainly consisting of movies and mini-series. Available on Foxtel. Fox Soap / Fox Talk / Fox Travel / Fox History A channel with four different program formats depending on the time of the day or day of the week. During weekdays, Fox Soap features soap operas, Fox Talk features talk shows on weekday evenings and overnight, Fox Travel features programs about travel during the days on weekends, while Fox History features programs about history during the evenings and overnight on Weekends, and is similar to The History Channel in the US and the UK. Available on Foxtel. Documentary / education channels The Discovery Channel Documentary channel similar to The Discovery Channel in the US, Europe, Asia and elsewhere. Available on Galaxy, Austar, East Coast Television and Foxtel. Horizon Learning Channel An education channel. Available on Optus Vision. See also Fox Soap / Fox Talk / Fox Travel / Fox History in the General Entertainment section above. Children's channels Nickelodeon / Nick At Nite Children's programs during the day and classic TV programs at night. Similar to Nickelodeon / Nick At Nite in the US and Europe. Programs include Ren & Stimpy, Rocko's Modern Life, Gulah Gulah Island and Nick Arcade. Available on Galaxy, Austar, East Coast Television and Foxtel. Cartoon Network Cartoons. Similar to Cartoon Network in the US, Europe & Asia. Available on Optus Vision and Foxtel. See also Fox in the General Entertainment section. Music video channels Red Music Television Music videos, with general programs and specialty programs focusing on house/techno, heavy metal, alternative, soul, rock, and others. Available on Galaxy, Austar, East Coast Television and Foxtel. NOTE: Red will be replaced by Channel [V] from April 17 1997. MTV Australia An Australian version of the world famous music video channel. Also includes general programs and specialty programs, including MTV programs seen around the world (e.g. Hit List UK) and local versions of other MTV programs. Available on Optus vision. NOTE: ARC music TV has ceased transmission. CMT (Country Music Television) Country music videos. Similar to CMT in the US, Europe and Asia. Available on Galaxy, Austar, Foxtel and Optus Vision. News channels Sky News Australia A 24 hour news channel similar to Sky News in the UK. Available on Foxtel and Optus Vision. CNN International The world famous 24 hour news channel. Emphasis is on news but there is also current affairs, talk shows, etc. Available on Foxtel and Optus Vision. BBC World A 24 hour news channel operated by the BBC. Emphasis is on news but also includes current affairs and some documentaries. Available on Galaxy, Austar, East Coast Television and Foxtel. WeatherVision A channel entirely about weather. Available on Optus Vision. Foxtel Weather A channel entirely about weather. Available on Foxtel. Business news channels ABN (Asia Business News) Business news and other business related programs, focusing on the Asia- Pacific region. Available on Foxtel. Bloomberg Information TV Business News. Available on Foxtel. CNBC Business news and other business related programs. Available on Galaxy, Austar, East Coast Television and Optus Vision. Home shopping channels TV Shopping Network Home shopping programs. Available on Galaxy, Austar (satellite only), Foxtel and Optus Vision. This channel is also available in parts of the Asia Pacific region via satellite. Foreign language channels TeleItalia Italian language channel featuring news, sports, drama and movies. Available separately or with Galaxy in Melbourne and Sydney via MDS. Available Australia-wide via satellite with Galaxy channels. New World Television Chinese language channel featuring news and other programs. Available separately or with Galaxy in Melbourne and Sydney. Available Australia-wide via satellite with Galaxy channels. NOTE: New World Television relays CTN (Zhong Tian Channel) 14 hours a day, according to CTN's homepage. NHK Japanese language channel produced by NHK, the government owned broadcaster in Japan. Available on Optus Vision. CTN (Zhong Tian Channel) Chinese language channel. Available on Optus Vision. CCTV 4 (Chinese Central Television) Chinese language channel from China. Available on Optus Vision. Mega Channel Australia Greek language channel. Available on Optus Vision. RAI Italian language channel. Available on Optus Vision. ART An Arabic language channel. Available on Optus Vision. Community access channels Local Vision Community access channel with programs produced by community groups and members of the public. Programs are local and may vary from place to place. Available on Optus Vision. Optus Vision Education Channel Community Access Channel featuring university courses, personal classifieds, and perhaps other material between programs. Available on Optus Vision. Tourist information channels I can't tell you much about these channels, except there are a few channels in Cairns and maybe the Gold Coast, aimed mainly at tourists staying in hotels. 3.2 What international channels are available in Australia? The following international channels are available in Australia: * ABN * ART * BBC World * Bloomberg Information TV * The Cartoon Network * CC TV 4 * CMT * CNBC * CNN International * CTN (Zhong Tian Channel) * ESPN * NHK * RAI * TNT An Australian version of the following channels are also available: * The Discovery Channel (Australia) * The Disney Channel - Australia * Encore * fX * Hallmark Entertainment Network * MTV * Nickelodeon * Showtime * Sky News Australia An Australian version of WBTV will be available this year on Optus Vision. HBO is available in parts of Asia and New Zealand, however, I don't know if HBO will be available here. An Australian version of Channel [V] will be available from April 17 1997. 3.3 What other channels might be available in Australia in the near future? Here is a list of channels that will or ought to be available in Australia in the near future. General entertainment / variety channels WBTV - The Warner Channel A general entertainment channel featuring older and newer programs from Warner Brothers. Will be available on Optus Vision from April 1997. NOTE: This channel will now be known by a different name. NBC Commenced transmission in April. Includes a mix of news, current affairs, infotainment and general entertainment produced by NBC. May be available on Galaxy, Foxtel and/or Optus Vision in the future. Family Channel Australia Family oriented general entertainment. Similar to Family Channel in the US but with additional Australian programs. No idea when or if this channel will commence operation. Australia Gold Classic Australian programs from the Crawford Library. Optus Vision arts & entertainment channel Arts & entertainment channel. May be available on Optus Vision. Documentary / education channels Nature Study Channel Documentary and education channel focusing on nature, wildlife, animals and conservation. Will be available on Optus Vision (expected some time in 1996). Optus Vision documentary Channel Documentary channel announced by Optus Vision. Expected to be available on Optus Vision in 1997. Music video channels Channel [V] Music video channel similar to Channel [V] in Asia. Will be available on Galaxy, Austar, East Coast Television and Foxtel from April 17 1997 when Channel [V] replaces Red Music Television. News channels World News Channel News, including many news programs from around the world in English and other languages. May be available on Galaxy, Foxtel, and/or Optus Vision in the future. Worldnet News, current affairs, US politics and documentaries. Operated by the US government. May still be available in Australia to a limited number of homes served by an early Telstra cable TV trial (may have been discontinued by now). Religious channels Optus Vision religious channel Religious channel. May be available on Optus Vision. Foreign Language Channels Antenna Greek language channel. Will be available on Optus Vision in the near future. Cable TV and Pay TV in Australia FAQ Section 4: Pay TV services available in Australia 4.1 What pay TV services are available in Australia? Here is a list of pay TV services currently available or soon to be available around Australia. International readers please note: Telephone numbers beginning with 1800 and 13 can only be dialed from within Australia and should not be prefixed with an area code. Numbers beginning with 13 cost no more than a local call from anywhere in Australia. Numbers beginning with 1800 are toll free (except that cellular phone carriers may charge for these calls). Multi channel services: Name: Galaxy Availability: Via satellite (digital): Sydney, Melbourne, Geelong, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Regional Western Australia and Canberra Via MDS (analog, digital expected 2Q96): as above. Other parts of Australia handled by franchisees (see below). No. Channels: Basic: 12 or 13. Total: 18, more to come Channels & cost: Basic: Fox Sports, Fox Sports 2 / Superleague Channel, Showtime, Encore, TV1, Red Music TV, The Discovery Channel, Nickelodeon/Nick At Nite, Arena, CNBC, BBC World, thecomedychannel, TV Shopping Network, CMT - $49.95 per month Other: World Movies - $6.95 per month TeleItalia, New World TV, - $10 per channel per month Nightmoves - $14.95 per month Other costs: Installation & connection - $199.95 Additional decoder - $14.95 per month + installation Speculation: Sky News Australia, CNN International, Sky Channel Other services: Multi channel digital radio channels: soft rock/adult contemporary, 3UZ Racing, BBC World Service, VOA, classical music, middle of the road, easy listening, Top 100, Light Classical, jazz, classic rock, country music, dance music, classical & opera, others. Note: CNBC not available in Canberra via MDS. Multi channel digital radio available via satellite only. The rooftop MDS dish stays on your roof, even if you cancel. Premier All Star Sports appears to have ceased transmission, replaced by Fox Sports. TeleItalia and New World TV available Australia-wide via satellite, and in Melbourne and Sydney via MDS. Enquiries: Call 1300 300 002 local call fee Fax: (08) 349 5244 Postal Address: Locked bag 111, Salisbury South SA 5106 Internet e-mail: WWW: Name: Austar Availability: Via satellite (digital): Regional Queensland, Regional Victoria and Northern Territory (to be made available gradually). Via MDS (analog): Gold Coast, Cairns, Townsville, Bendigo, Ballarat and Mt. Isa, expanding to Towoomba, Sunshine Coast, and to other cities in above regions. Via cable: Darwin No. Channels: Basic: 12, more to come Channels & cost: Fox Sports, Fox Sports 2 / Superleauge Channel, Showtime, Encore, TV1, Red Music TV, The Discovery Channel, Nickelodeon/Nick At Nite, Arena, BBC World, CNBC, CMT, TV Shopping Network - $39.95 per month Other: World Movies - $6.95 per month Other costs: Installation & connection - $99 Speculation: ABN, CNN International, Cartoon Network, TNT, Sky News Australia, Sky Channel Other services: Note: TV Shopping Network only available via satellite Enquiries: Call 132 432 local call fee Fax: Postal Address: (Townsville) PO Box 1222, Townsville Qld 4810 Internet e-mail: WWW: Name: East Coast Television Availability: Via satellite (digital): Eastern Regional New South Wales and Tasmania (to be made available gradually). Via MDS (analog): Wollongong, Hobart, Newcastle, and other cities in above regions. No. Channels: Basic: 10, Total: 11, more to come Channels & cost: Basic: Fox Sports, Showtime, Encore, TV1, Red Music TV, The Discovery Channel, Nickelodeon/Nick At Nite, Arena, CNBC, BBC World, CMT - $39.95 per month Other: World Movies - $6.95 per month Channel [V] (will replace Red in the future) Other costs: installation & connection - $19.95 Speculation: Sky News Australia, Sky Channel Other services: Note: Enquiries: Hobart (03) 6235 5000 Newcastle (049) 68 6600 Wollongong (042) 24 4444 1800 500 223 Fax: Postal Address: Internet e-mail: WWW: http://www.apic.net/~ect/ Name: Foxtel Availability: Via cable (analog and digital): parts of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and the Gold Coast. No. Channels: Basic: 30. Total: 31, expanding to over 150 Channels & cost: Basic: Fox Sports, Fox Sports 2 / Superleague Channel, Showtime, Encore, TV1, Red Music TV, The Discovery channel, Nickelodeon/Nick At Nite, Arena, Fox, UK TV, TNT, Cartoon Network, Sky News Australia, CNN International, BBC World, ABN, CMT, Foxtel Weather, Bloomberg Information TV, Event TV, 5 local free to air channels, Electronic Program Guide - $39.95 per month, Entertainment Plus Package: Basic + fX, TV Shopping Network, Hallmark Entertainment Network, thecomedychannel, fX, Fox Soap / Fox Talk / Fox Travel / Fox History - $9.95 per month, Other: World Movies - $6.95 per month, Sky Channel (expected in 1997) Other costs: Connection + wall outlet - free. Installation of set top decoder - $29.95. Additional decoder $9.95 per month. Speculation: NBC, World News Channel, one or more community access channels, price rise of basic package to $41.95, but will include the 5 extra channels in the Entertainment Plus package. Other services: Up to 30 or 60 digital radio channels (expected early 1996) Note: Enquiries: Call 13 1999 local call fee Fax: (02) 395 7511 Postal Address: 5/182 George St. Sydney NSW 2000, or PO Box 86, Kingsgrove NSW 2208 Internet e-mail: WWW: http://www.foxtel.com.au Name: Neighbourhood Cable Availability: Via cable: Mildura No. Channels: Channels & cost: Other costs: Speculation: Other services: Note: Enquiries: Call (03) 5021 0511 Fax: (03) 5021 0096 Postal Address: 11 Byrne Ct., Mildura, Vic. 3500 Internet e-mail: WWW: Name: Northgate Ballarat Availability: Via cable: Ballarat No. Channels: Basic: 15 to 25. Channels & cost: channels unknown - $25.00 per month Other costs: Speculation: Other services: Note: Enquiries: Call (03) 5333 5354 Fax: Postal Address: 24 Sturt St., Ballaat, Vic. 3350 Internet e-mail: WWW: http://www.northgate.com.au Name: Optus Vision Availability: Via cable (analog, digital later): parts of Sydney and Melbourne, expanding to Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, and possibly other areas. Via satellite (digital): Australia-wide (expected July 1997). No. Channels: Basic: 19, Total: 28, more to come Channels & cost: Visions: Sky News Australia, CNN International, Cartoon Network, CMT, Horizon Learning Channel, WeatherVision, TNT, ARC Music Television, local free to air channels, TV Shopping Network, Local Vision, Optus Vision Education Channel, CNBC - $29.95 per month Sports Fan: Visions + ESPN, Sports Australia, Sports Australia 2, The Disney Channel - Australia, MTV Australia - $37.95 per month Movie Magic: Visions + The Movie Network, The Movie Network 2, Movie Greats, The Disney Channel - Australia, MTV Australia - $39.95 per month Deluxe: Visions + Sports Fan + Movies Magic - $44.95 per month Other: Sports AFL - $6 per month, Main Attraction - Pay per view NHK - $25 per month CTN (Zhong Tian Channel), CCTV 4 - $10 per month ART - $10 per month MEGA Channel Australia, Antenna (expected in 1997) - $10 per month RAI - $10 per month Nature Study Channel (expected ????), WBTV - The Warner Channel (expected April 1997), MTV Australia (expected March 1997), documentary channel (expected 1997), Sky Channel Other costs: Installation & connection - $29.95 for one set top unit, $39.95 for two Additional set top unit - $12 per month Speculation: World News Channel, World Movies, Playboy Channel, arts & entertainment channel, religious channel Other services: Local telephone service (available in some areas) High speed (500 Kbit/s) internet access via cable modem (expected 1996) Note: Sports AFL only available with Sports Fan or Deluxe package CTN only available with another package. Enquiries: Call 13 33 11 local call fee Fax: (02) 900 3434 Postal Address: Internet e-mail: WWW: http://www.optusvision.com.au Single channels or niche services available separately Name: New World TV Availability: Via MDS (analog): metro areas of Sydney and Melbourne. Via satellite (digital): Australia-wide Channels: New World TV Cost: Installation + monthly cost Other services: Note: Also available as part of Galaxy package for additional cost Enquiries: Call 1800 818 038 toll free Fax: Postal Address: Internet e-mail: WWW: Name: Sky Channel Availability: Via satellite (analog): Australia wide Via cable: available on Foxtel and Optus Vision from some time in 1997. Channels: Sky Channel Cost: Other services: Note: Only available in pubs, clubs and hotels Enquiries: Call (02) 451 0888 or 1800 251 710 toll free outside Sydney Fax: Postal Address: Internet e-mail: WWW: Name: TeleItalia TV Availability: Via MDS (analog): metro areas of Sydney and Melbourne Via satellite (digital): Australia-wide. Channels: TeleItalia TV Cost: Installation + monthly cost Other services: Note: Also available as part of Galaxy package at additional cost Enquiries: Call 1800 651 692 toll free Fax: Postal Address: Internet e-mail: WWW: Cable TV and Pay TV in Australia FAQ Section 5: What is it like? 5.1 Where can I see pay TV? If you don't have a friend or relative who has pay TV, you may be able to see it at some major TV/video/electrical stores around Australia. Galaxy TV has been on display at the following stores (only in areas where Galaxy is available): Myer/Grace Bros., Billy Guyetts, Chandlers, Retra Vision, Vox Megastores, Radio Rentals (Adelaide Only), Errol Stewart, but only in places where Galaxy is available. However, many of these stores have stopped displaying Galaxy programs CNN and ABN can be seen in a number of hotels in Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns. These are most likely to be first class (4 or 5 star) hotels. CNBC is reportedly available in up to 16,000 hotel rooms in Sydney and Melbourne. Now that it's available in other cities, it may be more widely available. Foxtel is sold through various Telstra Mobilenet dealers, so it may be viewable there (not sure on this). Optus Vision is sold through Optus World stores, but once again, I am not sure if it can be viewed there. 5.2 Where can I find a program guide listing the programs on pay TV channels? So far, many Australian newspapers and TV guides have virtually ignored pay TV and not listed any of their programs, while others only list some channels. All Galaxy subscribers receive a monthly program guide listing programs on all Galaxy channels, plus TeleItalia, New World Television and Premier All Star Sports. These program guides are available from various stores at $2.95 each. Foxtel subscribers also receive a monthly guide. Foxtel program guides are also available at some newsagencies for $3.95. Optus Vision subscribers also receive a monthly guide. Optus program guides are also available at Optus World stores for $3.95. In Melbourne, the Age Green Guide (available in The Age on Thursdays) used to include Pay TV Guide, which featured comprehensive weekly program listing of most Foxtel, Galaxy and Optus Vision channels (news & information channels excluded), however, this liftout has been discontinued. The Herald Sun's weekly TV Guide (comes with the Herald Sun on Wednesdays) lists the programs for Fox Sports, Showtime and Encore only. In Sydney, The Guide (weekly TV guide in The Sydney Morning Herald on Mondays) also used to include Pay TV Guide, but this appears to have been stopped as well. 5.3 I heard that pay TV was supposed to be commercial free until mid 1997. Why then are there commercials on some channels (like CNBC)? One of the rules of pay TV in Australia is that commercials are banned until mid 1997 on regular (i.e. broadcast) pay TV channels. However these rules do not apply to narrowcast channels, i.e. niche services such as foreign language channels, business news channels, home shopping channels, tourist information channels, etc. These are given special narrowcast licenses, on which advertising restrictions do not apply. 5.4 What's the situation with cable modems? Will I get 10 Mbit/s access to the internet via cable? Several Cable TV companies in the US have used their networks to deliver high speed access to the internet via cable. Telstra has launched a cable modem service over its cable TV network (which delivers Foxtel channels) in a few limited areas. Optus Vision plans to launch a similar service some time in 1997. They claim that subscribers will have up to 500 Kbit/s access to the internet through their service. However, other newspaper reports have mentioned modem manufacturers talking about speeds of 64, 128, up to 384 Kbit/s. Access rates in the future could rise to 8Mbit/s or 30 Mbit/s. One way of offering ethernet over a cable TV network that I know about is a standard called 10Base36, which turns 36 MHz of cable TV bandwidth (the space occupied by 6 US TV channels or just over 5 Australian TV channels) into a 10 Mbit/s ethernet network that can span an entire city. Other methods can squeeze 10 Mbit/s to 36 Mbit/s downstream into two TV channels. 5.5 Is Pay TV available in stereo? Does xxx broadcast in stereo? All pay TV services in Australia broadcast in stereo. All set top units can provide a stereo audio signal to the TV or VCR. However, this depends on how you connect the set top unit to the TV or VCR. There are two way of connecting a set top unit to a TV or VCR. These are: * By the set top unit's RF output, which sends a regular TV channel signal to the TV's or VCR's antenna input * By the set top unit's audio and video outputs, which are connected to audio and video input sockets on the TV or VCR. All current (i.e. analogue) MDS and cable TV set top units in Australia send a stereo TV signal down the RF output, but they only have one audio output, which means you have to use the first method above to receive stereo TV via cable or MDS. The digital set top units used for receiving pay TV from the Optus satellite have two audio outputs, which means that pay TV can be received in stereo using the second method above. However, because the set top units come from the UK, which uses a different method for encoding stereo onto the RF output, I don't know if the signal that is sent on the RF output (using the first method above) is in stereo or not. When digital cable TV and MDS systems become available, they will contain two audio outputs, enabling stereo output using the second method above. 5.6 Where can I find out more about pay TV in Australia on the net Newsgroups: The best newsgroup to read is aus.tv. The number of articles with info and questions about Australian pay TV has increased significantly over the past few months. Other newsgroups worth reading include the worldwide cable TV newsgroup rec.video.cable-tv, the worldwide DBS satellite newsgroup (mainly US DBS actually) rec.video.satellite.dbs, and the Australasian satellite TV newsgroup alt.satellite.tv.australasia. WWW sites: The author has a cable TV and pay TV page at http://netspace.net.au/~liron/cable-pay-tv/index.html containing links to this FAQ, some pay TV channel homepages, some pay TV service homepages, and some other pages. TV Net - a comprehensive site with extensive lists of TV stations and networks around the world, and much more. I recommend this site for people on both sides of the small screen. - http://www.tvnet.com Pay TV Online - a site devoted exclusively to pay TV. - http://www.paytv.com Where's the Remote! Homepage - contains program listings for Galaxy channels and episode guides to some programs on Galaxy. - http://www.iinet.net.au/~power/index.html JJ's Pay Television Australia information compilation - a list of cable TV and pay TV services and channels in Australia. - http://www.nepean.uws.edu.au/users/johnf/payTV.txt Kenn's Pay Tv Home Page - another homepage about cable TV and pay TV in Australia. - http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/1809/index.html Cable Networks In Australia - another list of cable TV and pay TV networks in Australia. - http://www.tvnet.com/au/cable.html Australian Television Guide - an Australian capital city TV guide on the Web. - http://www.sofcom.com.au/TV/index.html National TV Guide - another Australian capital city TV guide on the Web. - http://www.tvguide.com.au Tony's Melbourne TV Grid Guides - includes listings for Foxtel channels. - http://connexus.apana.org.au/~lammens/tv.htm Television Schedules of the World. - - with links to TV schedule WWW sites around the world. - http://www.buttle.com/tv/schedule.htm J.J.'s Science Fiction and Fantasy page - weekly listings of science fiction and fantasy programs on Australian TV (what a big difference a little pay TV can make :-). - http://www.nepean.uws.edu.au/users/johnf/sff.html J.J.'s TV page - another TV page, featuring links to free to air and pay TV pages. - http://www.nepean.uws.edu.au/users/johnf/tv.html Cable Datacom News - newsletter & information about cable modems. - http://cabledatacomnews.com The Australian Satellite Television Homepae - contains information on what can be received via satellite from Australia. - http://users.hunterlink.net.au/~depip/Satellite/sat.htm Here are some official cable TV and pay TV channel homepages: o ABN - http://www.abn-online.com/abn/ o ART - http://www.art-tv.net o Bloomberg Information Television - http://www.bloomberg.com/tv.html o CNBC (Asia) - business news. - http://www.nbc.com/nbcasia/chome.html o CNN & CNN International - http://www.cnn.com o Cartoon Network (US) - http//www.filmzone.com/SpaceGhost/cartoonnet.html o CTN - http://www.ctn.net o Discovery Channel Online - http://www.discovery.com o ESPN (worldwide) - http://espnet.sportszone.com o FOX Sports Australia - http://www.foxsports.com.au o MTV Australia - http://www.mtv.com.au o NBC (Asia) http://www.nbc.com/nbcasia/nbchome.html o Nickelodeon Treehouse - Nickelodeon's homepage in Australia. - http://www.nickoz.com o Nick At Nite (US) - http://nick-at-nite.viacom.com o Red Music Television - one of the flashiest homepages around. - http://www.redtv.com.au o TV Shopping Network - http://www.tvsn.com.au Here are some cable TV and pay TV service homepages: o Continental CableVision - US Cable TV company. Includes news articles about Optus Vision. - http://www.continental.com o East Coast Television - Australian pay TV company serving Newcastle, Hobart and Wollongong. - http://www.apic.net/~ect/ o Foxtel - Australian cable TV company. - http://www.foxtel.com.au o Northgate Ballarat - cable TV company operating in Ballarat, Vic. - http://www.northgate.com.au o Optus Vision - Australian cable TV company. - http://www.optusvision.com.au Cable TV and Pay TV in Australia FAQ Section 6: Copyright, disclaimers, references, etc. 6.1 Copyright This edition of the FAQ is copyright. (c) 1995 Liron Lightwood. All rights reserved. This FAQ or any part of it may be freely copied, stored, and/or distributed, providing that it is on a non-profit basis. Also, it must be stated that the extract comes from this FAQ, and how an original copy of the latest version of this FAQ may be obtained from at least one of the locations and methods mentioned in the FAQ. The words and meaning of any sections copied or distributed must not be altered, except for translation into other languages. In this case, the meaning must be preserved completely, or as completely as the translated-into language will allow. If you wish to copy, store or distribute any part of this FAQ in any other way, you must obtain written permission from the author. 6.2 Disclaimers This FAQ aims to provide information about pay TV access and services in Australia without favour or bias towards any pay TV operators. It is provided on a non profit basis as a service to the internet community and other interested people. This FAQ is provided as is, with no express warranties whatsoever. Reader beware! The information contained in this FAQ is included in good faith on the understanding that it is fairly accurate. However, please understand that it may not be correct, and the author will not be held responsible or liable if the information is found to be inaccurate. The author will not be responsible or liable for any loss, damage, or any other consequential loss as a result of reading the information contained in this FAQ. Readers concerned about this should take precautions, such as conducting their own research. 6.3 Credits Information in this FAQ comes mostly from reading daily Australian newspapers, however some information may come from radio, TV, magazines, other people, usenet, the internet and publicly available information material supplied by pay TV companies. Special thanks to the following people who have made contributions to this FAQ and whose contributions have been included in this FAQ. * Graham Cairns * Andrew Connor * Phil Edwards * John J. Fardoulis AACS * Jimmy James * Chris Janz * Warren Lee * Warren Leadbeatter * Kenn Leong * Ash Nallawalla * Rob Nicholls * Derek Nielsen * Peter Nosworthy * OptusVision * Paul Stelmach * Malcolm Taylor