Foxtel has announced its new TV technology device, Hubbl, will be on sale from 10 March in Harvey Norman and JB Hi-Fi retail stores nationally and via hubbl.com.au.
On 10 March, Hubbl will also unveil a national advertising campaign starring brand ambassadors Hamish Blake and Andy Lee. The multi-channel campaign will feature major placements across OOH, TV and digital, and aim to educate Australians about the benefits of the new platform in solving the current challenges with streaming.
Hubbl is a small device that plugs into any compatible TV. The entertainment operating system fuses local and global content including entertainment and sports, VOD, live channels, and the internet into one user interface.
Foxtel will also be releasing Hubbl Glass – a new TV offering a 4K Ultra HD Quantum Dot Display with 8.2 million pixels, hands-free voice control and six speakers built for 360 Dolby Atmos surround sound. The device only requires an internet connection and a power cord, no other wires.
Dani Simpson, executive director of Hubbl, said: “With 18 global and local apps integrated into the experience, Hubbl will make streaming, searching between apps, watching and subscription management easy. We’re excited to get Australians Hubbl’n from March 10 with a simplified TV and streaming experience.
“With our nationwide advertising campaign launching on March 10, Hubbl will be unmissable. We want all Australians to know that Hubbl is the solution to streaming fatigue and frustration.”
Last week, Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany told a Senate committee that Hubbl gives free-to-air networks prominence, without compromising or interfering with consumers’ choice.
Foxtel supports the bill, which is designed to ensure that FTA channels are easy for audiences to find on smart TVs, but disagrees with the legislation mandating that certain apps appear higher than others, either in search results or on the home screen.
“Easy access to the free-to-air services through our devices, like the iQ and Hubbl, is already happening,” he said.
“Prominence should be about free-to-air options being easily available without interfering with consumer choice and convenience. We believe customers are entitled to control their own connected TVs in the way they choose. Any proposal to alter search results and app placement to favour free-to-air services undermines customers’ right to choose.”
The key features of Hubbl include:
• Plug and play: Watch free-to-air TV with or without an aerial, with an integrated TV guide inside the user interface.
• Single view: See all subscriptions in one view and have the freedom to add, pause and restart streaming apps anytime.
• Stack and save: Stack eligible streaming apps and save money.
• Hubbl Fusion: Streaming and free-to-air TV entertainment fused into one user interface.
• Hubbl Search: search across streaming apps and free-to-air TV channels in one go using voice or text.