Looking for more variety than what's on offer through free-to-air television, but don't want to shell out for Foxtel? Whether you're into movies, world TV, sports, or something else, you've got plenty of affordable entertainment options thanks to internet television, or IPTV.
In this guide:
- What is IPTV?
- IPTV services in Australia
- IPTV streaming devices in Australia
- Picking the right broadband plan for IPTV
What is IPTV?
Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) uses the internet to deliver TV services, rather than through antennas, satellite dishes, or cable. Instead of being limited to programs that are broadcast live, most IPTV services offer on-demand viewing: you simply pick what you'd like to watch, and stream it straight to your TV or compatible device.
Right now, there are two main models for IPTV in Australia.
Traditional IPTV is available only through specific providers, or relies on hardware like a set-top box. For example, Fetch TV requires you to buy a branded set-top box to get their service onto your big screen.
The newer, and most popular model available is on-demand streaming. For those unfamiliar, streaming uses the internet to distribute content, via a website or app. These type of services - which include on-demand streaming platforms like Netflix and Stan - can be accessed through your computer, on smart TVs, through phones and tablets, or by using streaming devices like Google Chromecast or Telstra TV.
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IPTV options in Australia
The major streaming players in Australia are the aforementioned Netflix, Stan, Binge, Foxtel Now and Amazon Prime Video. While there are internationally-based, smaller niche streaming options out there, if you're looking for a monthly subscription with unlimited viewing and a huge library of content, these guys are your best bet.
You can read a full comparison in this guide, but below is a general primer on each service.
Netflix
Netflix is the biggest name in Australian streaming, with plans start at $9.99 per month. The service gives viewers access to thousands of titles, including new release movies and TV, documentaries, specials, and kids' programs.
Netflix also produces its own original shows and movies, including Stranger Things, Orange is the New Black, BoJack Horseman, Black Mirror, and more - and is the only place you can legally stream any of these titles.
See our curated list of the best films and TV shows on Netflix.
Stan
Stan is Australia's answer to Netflix, offering an exhaustive collection of movies and TV. It's the first and sometimes only place you can stream shows such as Billions, Better Call Saul, or Twin Peaks, thanks to international partnerships and an exclusive deal with US network Showtime. Stan has also branched out into original Australian content such as Wolf Creek, Romper Stomper, and stand-up comedy.
Like Netflix, plans begin at $10 per month and cap out at $17 monthly for the multi-screen, 4K resolution option. Stan has no locked-in content, so - as with Netlfix - you can access every title available, no matter which price tier you opt for.
Here are our editor's picks for the best movies and TV shows on Stan.
Binge
Binge is one of the newer entrants into the streaming game. Child of Pay-TV giant Foxtel, Binge is the home of the largest on-demand HBO library in the country. Or at least that you can legally access.
Prices start from just $10 per month, but for $14 you'll be get access to the entire library in HD which is well worth the price of a coffee. There's also a fun "Surprise Me" button which picks content at random, so you don't need to use your pesky brain.
See how the "Surprise Me" button shaped up here, or see our viewing suggestions for film and TV shows on Binge here.
Click or tap on any of the buttons below to claim your 14-day free trial.
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Kayo
Kayo is basically the Netflix of sports. For a $25 per month subscription fee, Kayo will get you live and on demand access to over 50 sports, including but not limited to AFL, NRL, cricket, football, motorsports, basketball, golf, baseball, tennis, US football, surfing, athletics, extreme sports, field hockey, gymnastics, boxing, MMA, darts, sailing, swimming and squash.
Owned by Foxtel, Kayo is actually a mirror of all the content you can get on Foxtel Sports. A $25 subscription will let you watch on two separate screens at once, and a $35 subscription will get you three. Both plans are no-contract and allow access to HD streaming.
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Disney+
Disney+ is the undisputed champion of Disney content. It's all your Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars favourites in one place. More recently new flicks like the live-action Mulan remake have come directly to our small screens via Disney+.
A subscription will set you back $8.99 per month of $89.99 for the whole year, with 4K streaming included in this cost. Considering that Netflix charges $19.99 a month for access to 4K content, it's a great deal.
If you need recommendations for what to watch on Disney+ then read our picks here.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is probably the best value streaming service in Australia at the moment. Not only does it offer exclusive access to shows like American Gods and The Grand Tour, but it comes free with your Amazon Prime membership.
Pricing starts at $6.99 per month (which includes all the benefits of Amazon Prime) which gets you access to all content and streaming on up to 3 screens simultaneously.
Sign up for a free trial of Amazon Prime
Fetch TV
Fetch TV is internet TV delivered via a set-top box, which is plugged into your TV, modem and TV antenna. You can buy a Fetch TV box as a stand-alone product through retailers such as Harvey Norman or JB Hi-Fi, or you can bundle it in with an Optus, Dodo, Internode, iPrimus, iiNet or Westnet broadband plan.
In terms of what you get, Fetch TV lets you record, pause, and rewind live free-to-air TV, plus rent from a library of more than 70,000 on-demand movies and shows. Fetch TV also offers subscriptions to pay TV channel packs starting from $6 per month. Channel packs include kids, docos, sports and variety programming. You can also add-on "special interest" sports and foreign language packs, which start from $9.99 per month.
The Fetch TV set-top box will also let you watch Netflix, Stan, Amazon Prime Video, and Hayu on your TV, but you will need a subscription to each if you want to access content. You can also view catch-up TV, and stream YouTube through the box.
Fetch TV: Everything you need to know
If you want to know more about Fetch TV, read our guide for everything you need to know about this set-top box and streaming TV provider.
Foxtel Now
Foxtel Now is the pay TV giant's take on a streaming service. Subscriptions start at $25 per month and can go all the way up to $104. Unlike Netflix and Stan which give you access to all content no matter how much you pay, Foxtel Now content is split across "packs".
The $25 starter pack will get you access to pop and lifestyle content including popular shows like Game of Thrones, Westworld, Top of the Lake, and The Walking Dead. On top of that you have the option to add drama, sports and movies, and if you get all three you can also add kids and docos on top.
Apple TV+
Apple TV+ is a bit different from other streaming services because it only has exclusive content. Because of this there is far less available than on other streaming services, but what is there is quality viewing - Mystic Quest for one is worth taking up the seven day free trial.
Eligible Apple devices come with a year free access to the platform, but otherwise it's $7.99 a month. You won't be able to stream on Android devices (which is entirely on-brand), to the exception of Samsung and LG Smart TVs.
Flip TV
Flip TV is an Australian NBN provider that combines broadband plans with multicultural IPTV services. However, you don't need to be on a Flip TV NBN plan to sign up to the company's IPTV packages.
TV packages start from $12.95 and include free-to-air TV channels, on-demand content, and your choice of international TV. Country-specific packages include Bosnia, Croatia, Macedonia, Malta, Serbia, Poland, Spain and South America, Chile and South America, Portugal, and Vietnam. You can view content both online via your web browser, or on your television via the Flip TV 'plug in and go' set-top box.
TPG IPTV
Mobile and broadband provider TPG offers its customers its own IPTV service. It's currently free to customers on TPG ADSL2+ plans at selected locations with a connection speed greater than 3.5Mbps.
Available international channels include Al Jazeera, Bloomberg, Channel NewsAsia, France 24, Deutsche Welle, Indonesian TV, Hungarian TV and more.
The service is only available on the ADSL2+ network, so customers who upgrade to the NBN or TPG's Fibre to the Building service will no longer be able to access the channels.
Catch-up TV
All free-to-air Australian TV networks now offer online streaming of live broadcasts and on-demand 'catch up' programs. Viewers can access content through each network's website, or through apps available on tablets, smartphones, and smart TVs.
Each network's streaming services are:
- ABC: ABC iView
- Network Ten: TenPlay
- Nine Network: 9Now
- SBS: SBS on Demand
- Seven Network: 7Plus
IPTV streaming devices
If you don't have a smart TV, the best way to get your IPTV onto your big home screen is via a streaming device or set-top box. Some IPTV services will throw one in with your subscription. Others, like Netflix, won't. So if you need a streaming device to go with your subscription, here are a few of your best options.
Apple TV+
Apple's set-top box is one of the most all-inclusive streaming gizmos available. Connect it to your TV and broadband, and you'll have access to iTunes, plus catch-up TV from all all five Australian networks, as well as Netflix, Stan, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and more. The newest version of Apple TV also supports ultra-HD (4K) TV and video.
It exists purely as a hardware device, so you won't need to be on a specific broadband plan to use it. Simply pick it up from from Apple or other retailers, then subscribe to your pick of streaming services - there's no monthly fee, other than what you pay to access content such as Netflix.
Telstra TV
Telstra's set-top box service is available to the telco's customers for $9 per month over a 24-month plan, or as a stand-alone product for $216 outright.
Telstra TV connects to your existing TV and gives you access to all available free-to-air TV, plus a host of apps and streaming services. (Netflix, Stan, ABC iView, Foxtel Now, YouTube, SBS On Demand, Tenplay, Hayu, and more.) You can also use the service to rent films and TV shows from Telstra's BigPond Movies.
Foxtel Now Box
Pay TV big-wig Foxtel has extended its service into online TV with Foxtel Now. Formerly Foxtel Play, Now combines live TV from popular Foxtel channels with on-demand streaming options, and offers channel packs starting from $25 per month.
The service comes with a huge library of exclusive programming and new-release movies, although what you can access will depend on your channel package. Foxtel Now also includes live sports streaming, plus plenty of news, kids, documentary and lifestyle content.
Foxtel Now can be accessed through your web browser, or through devices such as Telstra TV, but you can also pick up the $99 Foxtel Now Box for easy streaming straight to your television. The Foxtel Now Box also includes access to free-to-air TV, plus apps for Netflix, Stan, ABC iView, TenPlay, and Plus7.
Picking the right broadband plan for IPTV
A word of warning: being internet-based services, any IPTV or Internet TV video content that you stream counts against your internet plan's monthly data allowance (unless specified as exempt or 'data-free' on your plan).
In addition to having enough data, connection speed is also a factor. Generally, most NBN, cable and ADSL2+ plans will be fast enough to sustain medium to high definition quality streaming. But if your speed regularly clocks in at under 5Mbps, you may run into problems streaming in HD, especially if you share your internet service with other household members.
More basic NBN packages like NBN 12 and even NBN 25 in larger households, may result in poorer quality streaming or the dreaded buffering screen. Netflix puts out it's own analysis on the best internet service providers for streaming on the platform, but if Netflix can handle it then so can any other streaming service.
See if your provider makes Netflix's top 10 here.
Here are some unlimited data NBN 50 plans from our database, which should be fast enough to support a family of up to four moderate to heavy internet users.
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