Telstra has joined Netflix, Presto, Stan, ABC iview and others in turning Australians into an even bigger bunch of couch potatoes than we were previously.
Why exercise, learn a new language, hone your skills in other areas or anything else when there’s literally years of television hours you can watch at your fingertips, letting you live your life vicariously through the actions of others?
Aldous Huxley’s fear that humanity will entertain itself to death seems to be coming true, although should the US dollar suddenly devalue in a deflationary spiral, or inflate itself to Weimar levels (with either possibility a possibility), watching TV may well be the least of civilisation’s problems.
Until then, you can rest easy in the knowledge that ABC iview is now available on Telstra’s Roku-powered streaming TV box, the Telstra TV, joining a cornucopia of channels already available.
Although plenty of people have been watching ABC iview on their TVs via connected computers, games consoles, smart TV functionality, Android mirroring or AirPlay via Apple TV, Telstra says that the addition of ABC iview on the Telstra TV gives ‘customers the simplest way to access all the great content from the national broadcaster on their television.’
Telstra says that ‘this includes the outstanding ABC KIDS channel, the network’s renowned comedy and drama, as well as trusted news and current affairs, and exclusive digital-first Australian content only available on iview.’
Although Telstra TV does not offer free-to-air channels, nor any form of live TV recording as does the original Telstra T-Box, Telstra says its ‘Telstra TV is an easy to use home entertainment streaming device that allows Telstra home broadband customers to subscribe to the most popular streaming services, rent the latest blockbuster films and catch up on their favourite TV shows straight on their television.’
Serkan Honeine, Telstra Director At Home Media, said Telstra TV is proving popular with customers and it is now the first streaming device in Australia to include all three streaming services – Stan, Presto and Netflix – plus apps for all the free to air channels and movie rentals through Big Pond Movies.
Honeine said: “Our customers are craving simple and flexible home entertainment and, with lots of great content in the one place, Telstra TV makes it easy for them to find their favourite shows or movies and enjoy them on our great networks.
“We also know our customers love ABC TV and are eagerly anticipating the arrival of iview on Telstra TV. We are very happy to offer them the complete set of Australian free to air TV catch up apps from tomorrow.”
Sally O’Donoghue, iview Manager ABC TV said: “We’re very excited to be offering iview through Telstra TV. It’s a cinch to connect, and to discover great Australian shows and box sets on iview - like our Binge on the Best of Australian Comedy collection of 15 full series - available for all to enjoy all summer.”
In addition to streaming video, movies and television catch up services, Telstra TV also gives customers access to a huge selection of other content apps that, from tomorrow, will also include the NBA app alongside YouTube, Wall Street Journal, Red Bull TV, Awesomeness TV and many more.
More below, please read on.
|
Honeine said that since launch, Telstra TV customers watched over 18 million minutes of content using the device – the equivalent of more than 34 years of entertainment.
“The early usage statistics are also showing that our customers are viewing a variety of the content on offer. The most watched services on Telstra TV so far are Netflix, YouTube, Presto, Stan and BigPond Movies.
“Telstra TV is designed for the pace of modern living. You no longer have to remember to record your favourite show, or even rush home to watch the evening news. Plus, you have access to Australia’s leading online movie store, BigPond Movies, where you can rent new releases and great classics from a huge catalogue that has something for every member of the family,” Honeine added.
Fairfax Media has also reported that future Telstra TV content will include channels in Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic and Hindi, alongside children’s programming, a 7Tennis app from Channel Seven, and the possibility of the Foxtel Play app at some point in the future, too.
Telstra also revealed the Top 10 most watched movies of 2015 on BigPond Movies include some of the most popular films of the year, from Pitch Perfect 2 in first spot, to The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 in 10th place.
Telstra TV adds to Telstra's existing entertainment services, including Foxtel from Telstra products. It is available for purchase in Telstra stores nationally and online for $109 per device, or as a gift with purchase with selected L and XL broadband bundles. BigPond Movies and Presto are unmetered on Telstra Home Broadband at home. Data usage applies for other use.
The Top 10 BigPond Movies rentals of 2015
- Pitch Perfect 2
- Kingsman: Secret Service
- Tammy
- Big Hero 6
- American Sniper
- The Equalizer
- Home
- The Maze Runner
- Gone Girl
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
Telstra TV - Services and apps as at Tuesday, 15 December
- BigPond Movies
- Stan
- Presto
- Netflix
- ABC iview
- SBS on Demand
- PLUS7
- 9JumpIn
- Tenplay
- NBA
- YouTube
- Red Bull TV
- Awesomeness TV
- Wall Street Journal
- GoPro
- Vimeo
- Crunchy Roll
- Roku Media Player
Key Product Features
- Speed – Roku’s fastest processor to date
- Apps – Access to a huge range of local and international video
- Video & Audio Support - 720p/1080p HD and Dolby Digital 7.1
- Connectivity - 802.11n dual band wireless or 10/100 Ethernet Port
- Remote - Infrared (IR) Remote with quick replay button
- Extra Storage - MicroSD slot and USB port for additional storage
- Mobile Integration – Support screen mirroring with Miracast and 2nd screen ‘casting’ with Netflix and You Tube
Device Specifications
- Processor – Dual Arm A9 1Ghz Processor 32KB L1 Cache
- RAM - 512MB DRAM
- Storage – 256MB Flash NAND
- Ports – HDMI 1.4, USB 2.0, MicroSD Slot,
- Remote - Roku Standard infrared (IR) Remote with 2x AAA batteries
- Other Inclusions – Power Adapter, 1.5m HDMI Cable