TIMELINE

The introduction of subscription television in 1995 revolutionised and forever changed the broadcasting environment of Australia.

In the face of significant regulatory and economic hurdles, the remarkable growth of subscription television since 1995 is testament to the innovative and dynamic nature of the industry.

The History of STV

  • 1995

    The Galaxy subscription TV service offers 8 channels via microwave & satellite.

  • 1995

    AUSTAR, Optus Vision & FOXTEL launch satellite & cable STV services.

  • 1996

    The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that the take up rate of subscription television had reached 5%.

  • 1997

    ASTRA is formed as the peak industry body representing the STV and radio industry in Australia.

  • 1997

    The regulatory restriction banning paid advertising and sponsorship on STV is lifted.

  • 1998

    Australian Bureau of Statistics reports 11% of Australian households have taken up subscription television services.

  • 1998

    Due to excessive financial burdens the Galaxy subscription service is declared insolvent.

  • 1999

    Optus Vision satellite is launched and is operating in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

  • 1999

    AUSTAR satellite is launched and is available in regional areas & Hobart.

  • 1999

    Mandatory local content expenditure quota of 10% per financial year imposed on subscription adult & children’s drama channel providers.

  • 1999

    FOXTEL satellite launched and established in the 5 major capital cities & the Gold Coast.

  • 1999

    Anti-hoarding provisions introduced in BSA, following several examples of hoarding sporting content by free to airs.

  • 2000

    The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports a STV household take up rate of 17%.

  • 2000

    Productivity Commission recommends a new & shorter anti-siphoning list & for responsibility to be transferred from the Minister to the ABA.

  • 2001

    Automatic delisting of sporting events under the anti-siphoning scheme extends from 1 to 6 weeks.

  • 2002

    ACCC approves a content sharing arrangement between Optus and FOXTEL.

  • 2002

    The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports a STV household take up rate of 21%.

  • 2003

    Optus successfully launches the new C1 satellite.

  • 2003

    AUSTAR migrates the satellite television signal to the C1 satellite and extended coverage to 200,000 new homes.

  • 2004

    FOXTEL digital & AUSTAR digital launch, increasing channel offering to 130 channels.

  • 2005

    FOXTEL announces one million subscribers.

  • 2005

    FOXTEL iQ was launched, enabling Australian subscribers to record around 60 hrs of programming & simultaneously watch 1 channel while recording another.

  • 2005

    FOXTEL digital on Optus is made available to Australian consumers.

  • 2005

    The automatic delisting of sporting events under the anti-siphoning scheme extends from 6 to 12 weeks.

  • 2006

    Mobile by FOXTEL launches, offering subscribers a wide range of FOXTEL channels over their Telstra mobile devices.

  • 2007

    Government introduces the ‘use it or lose it’ scheme applying to events on the anti-siphoning list. To date this scheme has not been implemented.

  • 2007

    FOXTEL launches its ON DEMAND service providing iQ subscribers with the ability to watch a selection of FOXTEL’s best programming instantly.

  • 2007

    FOXTEL had completed the migration of customers to the FOXTEL Digital platform in a remarkable 3 year period.

  • 2008

    AUSTAR has 710,000 regional and rural residential and commercial subscribers.

  • 2008

    FOXTEL launches 10 new channels including A-PAC - Australia’s first public affairs channel.

  • 2008

    AUSTAR launches the MyStar PVR in Feb 2008 giving customers the ability to access local free to air digital channels as well as those offered on digital.

  • 2008

    FOXTEL HD launches with 5 HD channels & a new HD capable iQ.

  • 2009

    FOXTEL, AUSTAR and OPTUS report 2.3 million subscribers. Auspoll research reports that STV had achieved 33% household penetration.

  • 2009

    The Productivity Commission releases a report that once again highlights the anti-competitive nature of the anti-siphoning provisions, calling on the Government to substantially reduce the anti-siphoning list.

  • 2009

    FOXTEL launches Next Generation service, with 30 additional channels, 12 new channel brands, 10 new HD channels, rich new interactive features & FOXTEL Download - free from 38 channels

  • 2009

    AUSTAR launches Next Generation service with 15 new SD channels, 8 new time shift channels and 13 HD channels.

  • 2009

    The Government releases a discussion paper: Sport on Television: a review of the anti-siphoning scheme in the contemporary digital environment.

  • 2009

    30 Mobile FOXTEL channels now available on the iPhone