Establishment of AUSSAT by the Fraser Government as a Government owned corporation for the purposes of ordering and launching a national satellite
AUSSAT
Australian Broadcasting Tribunal Recommends Pay Television
Australian Broadcasting Tribunal recommends Pay Television be introduced 'as soon as practicable'
government
Regulatory Review of Pay Television
A regulatory review of pay television results in 90 submissions for licence allocations
government
AUSSAT A1 Launched
AUSSAT's first A-Class satellite, AUSSAT A1 is successfully launched from the Space Shuttle Discovery during STS-51 on 27th August 1985 AUSSAT A1 is positioned at 160°E longitude
AUSSAT
AUSSAT A2 Launched
AUSSAT's second A-Class satellite, AUSSAT A2 is successfully launched from the Space Shuttle Atlantis during STS-61-B on 27th November 1985 AUSSAT A2 is positioned at 156°E longitude
AUSSAT
Labor Announces Pay TV Moratorium
Government announces 4 year moratorium on Pay TV for incumbents to adjust to new equalisation and aggregation policies, electing to only issue narrowcast class licences called Video and Audio Entertainment and Information Services', the most successful of which is Sky Channel used to relay sports and racing programming into pubs and clubs
government
AUSSAT A2 Launched
AUSSAT's third A-Class satellite, AUSSAT A3 is successfully launched from French Guiana on 16th September 1987 AUSSAT A2 is positioned at 164°E longitude
AUSSAT
Review of Broadcasting and Telecommunications Policies
Review of broadcasting and telecommunications policies by the Federal Government
government
Pay TV Moratorium Extended
Extension of Pay TV moratorium by 12 months
government
Draft Broadcast Services Bill Released
Draft Broadcast Services Bill released.
government
Optus awarded second telecommunications licence
Federal Government award a second telecommunications licence to Optus Communications for $800 million, a consortium including Mayne Nickless, Cable & Wireless, BellSouth, AMP and National Mutual Optus assumes debt-free ownership of AUSSAT as part of the deal
AUSSATOptus
Tenders for Subscription Television Licences called
Australian Government calls for tenders for subscription television licences, purchased by entrepreneur Albert Hadid who onsold it to the consortium Continental Century Pay TV, a joint venture between Century Communications and Australis Media
government
Broadcasting Services Act Commences
Commencement of the Broadcasting Services Act (1992) - allowing new areas of broadcasting in Australia. Prime Minister Keating sets standard for Satellite Pay Television. Government to issue three Pay TV licences
government
Broadcast Services Bill Goes to Parliament
Broadcast Services Bill, minus Pay TV section goes to parliament
government
Optus B1 Launches
Optus' first B-Class satellite, Optus B1 is successfully launched from Xichang, China on 13th August 1992 Optus B1 is positioned at 160°E longitude
Optus
Pay TV Legalised
Part 7 of the Broadcasting Services Act passes parliament, legalising Pay TV
government
MDS Licence Auction Announced
Announcement of the auction of 200 MDS Licences.
governmentOptus
Optus B2 Destroyed
Optus' second B-Class satellite, Optus B2 is destroyed after a launch related failure from Xichang, China on 21st December 1992
Optus
MDS Auction Cancelled, Satellite Auction Begins
MDS Licence auction cancelled. Auction of Two Commercial Satellite Licences
government
Telstra Calls for Cable Network Tender
Telstra calls for tender for the construction of their cable network
Telstra
Satellite Licence Auction Results
Satellite Licence Auctions begin. Resulted in embarrassing situation for Government with licences sold and resold. Final Auction Results: Licence 'A' - Australis Media Licence 'B' - Continental Mercury Pay TV Licence 'C' - Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australis Mediacontinental-mercuryABC
Australis Lists on ASX and Telstra Trials Cable
Australis Media lists on Australian Stock Exchange. Telstra trial cable based multi-channel television service in Sydney
Australis MediaTelstra
Optus Vision Joint Venture Announced
Optus announce a joint venture with Continental Cablevision and PBL to form Optus Vision, with plans to deliver a pay tv service over Optus' recently announced HFC cable network
Optuscontinental-cablevisionPBL
Telstra Cable Rollout Reaffirmed
Telstra reaffirms commitment to cable rollout, increasing their target to 4 million homes within 3 years and announcing that the network would also support high-speed internet Further details indicate Telstra intend to overbuild up to 80% of the proposed Optus network
Telstra
News Corp Withdraws from Optus Vision
News Corp joins then withdraws from Optus Vision
News Corp (Australia)Optus Vision
Telstra Cable Network Construction Commences
Telstra commence construction of their HFC cable network named 'VisionStream', aiming to pass 1.1 million homes by the end of 1996. Telstra's network will not support telephony
Telstra
MDS Licence Purchase and Cable Expansion
Australis (and subsidiaries) purchase the majority of MDS licences offered in the first spectrum Auction. Some licences go at inflated cost due to bidding by Albert Hadid. Announcement of cable rollout plans by Optus/Continental Cablevision Joint Venture to service 2 million homes. Telstra lifts cable rollout target to 1.7 million homes
Optus' third B-Class satellite, Optus B3 is successfully launched from Xichang, China on 24th August 1994 Optus B1 is positioned at 156°E longitude
Optus
Australis and ECTV Purchase MDS Licences
Australis and ECTV purchase the majority of MDS licences offered in the second MDS spectrum auction.
Australis MediaECTV
Australis Reveals Galaxy Details
Australis reveal details about their new pay tv service, that will launch in 1995. Named 'Galaxy' it is expected to start in January, confirming that 1.25 million homes in Sydney are already capable of connecting to the MMDS service once subscriber equipment arrives, expanding to 5.5 million homes when the satellite service launches later in 1995. Australis also confirms they have signed franchise arrangements outside capital cities
Australis MediaGalaxy
Australis Negotiations with Telstra and Optus
Australis commences negotiations with both Telstra and Optus for carriage of a 10 channel package on either service
Australis MediaTelstraOptus
Optus Cable Network Construction Announced
Optus announce plans to build a HFC cable network in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide to compete against Telstra's VisionStream, planning to ultimately pass 2.77 million homes. Unlike Telstra's network, Optus' will support telephony and high-speed internet
Optus
Optus Vision Launches
Launch of Optus Vision. Seven & Nine networks included to consortium. Lifts rollout target to 3 million homes - costing $3 Billion. Optus is ultimately unsuccessful in convincing the Government to allow for cable monopolies, limiting overbuild potential
Optus VisionSevenNineNews Corp (Australia)
News-Telstra Agreement and Seven Withdrawal
Agreement signed between News Corporation & Telstra to launch a Subscription Television service. Rollout to cost $3.5 Billion. Seven Network withdraws from Optus Vision after Government ruling on monopolies
News Corp (Australia)TelstraSevenOptus Vision
Australis sign content deal with News/Telstra
Australis Media's deal with four Hollywood studios to provide movie programming results in the News/Telstra consortium agreeing to a $4.5 Billion, 25 Year content access deal
News Corp (Australia)TelstraAustralis Media
World's Fastest Cable Rollout
World's fastest cable rollout with Telstra passing 5000 homes a day and Optus, 4000
TelstraOptus
Central Coast Cablevision Proposal
Central Coast Cablevision approaches the councils of Gosford and Wyong to gain permission to rollout cable service after acquiring 10 non-satellite licences, but ultimately do not pursue service
central-coast-cablevision
XYZ Entertainment and Galaxy Content Agreement?
XYZ Entertainment, formed to provide content for Continental Century (ECTV), announces that it had reached agreement with Galaxy to provide four channels to the new service, but Galaxy initially deny that any agreement is in place
XYZ EntertainmentGalaxyECTV
Galaxy Launches
Launch of Subscription Television in Australia on Australia Day - Australis Media's Galaxy commences broadcasts into Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney with just 2 Channels (Premier Sports and news service ANBC). Broadcasts using Galaxy's MMDS (Wireless Cable) began trials on January 1st.
Galaxy
Anti-Siphoning: Premier Sports announces rights for Cricket Tour of West Indies
Premier Sports announces it has secured the rights to the upcoming Australian cricket tour of the West Indies, after the Nine Network passed on them, raising concerns that they may have breached the anti-siphoning rules in place to protect free-to-air from pay TV securing exclusive rights to a number of sporting events of national importance
premier-sportsGalaxy
Anti-Siphoning: Galaxy struggles to on-sell FTA rights for West Indies tour
Galaxy struggles to on-sell the FTA rights for the upcoming Australian cricket tour to the West Indies, telling a Senate inquiry that it may be unable to broadcast the tour at all if it was unable to find a FTA partner. Galaxy further allege that Nine had tipped off other FTA networks about the offer increasing reluctance to do a deal
GalaxyNine
Anti-Siphoning: Premier Sports onsells FTA rights for West Indies tour to Ten Network
Premier Sports onsells the FTA rights for the upcoming Australian cricket tour to the West Indies to the Ten Network, who are persuaded to cover the series
TenGalaxy
Anti-Siphoning: Seven month delay to delist cricket tournament
Galaxy's request to delist a tri-series cricket tournament between Australia, South Africa and Pakistan is approved, seven months after the event concluded in Pakistan. Communications Minister Mr Lee said that the process of delisting events was flawed and he was requesting advice from the Australian Broadcasting Authority about how to improve the timeframe for future requests. Galaxy had bought the rights in 1994 after no FTA network had expressed interest
Galaxy
Optus Vision Partners and Foxtel Launch
Details of the joint venture partners for Optus Vision are revealed: Optus & Continental Cablevision/US West will share 47.5% and PBL will have 5%. PBL have an option (until 1997) to increase ownership to 20%.
Optus VisionPBLFoxtelTelstraNews Corp (Australia)
News Limited/Telstra Alliance Launches Foxtel
The News Limited/Telstra alliance launches their Pay TV Venture, announcing it will be known as Foxtel
FoxtelTelstraNews Corp (Australia)
Seven Invests in Optus Vision and Super League Announced
Seven Network purchase 2% of Optus Vision with an option to increase ownership to 15%. Optus & Continental Cablevision reduce ownership to 46.5% each. 12 Team Super League competition announced by News Corp
SevenOptus VisionNews Corp (Australia)
ABC Consortium Fails and Super 12 Created
ABC's Pay TV consortium fails after being unable to gain carriage for their news and current affairs channels. News Corp signs southern hemisphere rugby unions to 10 year Pay TV rights deals. Results in creation of Super 12 competition between the unions of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa
ABCNews Corp (Australia)
Galaxy and Foxtel Programming Agreement
Agreement between Galaxy and Foxtel for the supply of programming (namely Showtime, Encore, PSN and TV1) for Foxtel's impending service. Foxtel decide on Analogue delivery for their Cable system, changing from the previously chosen Digital delivery method
GalaxyFoxtel
Foxtel to purchase 50% of XYZ Entertainment
Foxtel comes to agreement to purchase 50% of XYZ Entertainment (subject to competition approval), the remaining 50% is split between Continental Century (ECTV) and UIH (CETV)
FoxtelXYZ EntertainmentECTVCETV
Australis Merger Proposal to Foxtel
Approach to Foxtel by Australis with merger proposal. Result of impending price war with Optus Vision over connection fees and ongoing subscription costs
Australis MediaFoxtel
Subscriber Numbers: July 1995
114,000 homes subscribed, 110,000 of those with Austar/Galaxy and the remainder with Foxtel
AustarGalaxyFoxtel
Neighborhood Cable Rollout in Mildura
Neighborhood Cable commence rollout of HFC cable network in Mildura, Victoria after securing 72 pay tv licences
Neighbourhood Cable
Optus Vision Announces Launch
Optus Vision announce intention to commence operations in Sydney and Melbourne in September 1995 with an initial offering of 12 channels, estimates put the network rollout at 200,000 homes across both centres
Optus Vision
Galaxy and Austar (as CETV) Launches
Galaxy launches their Satellite service on 19th September 1995 Galaxy's owners Continental Century and Australis Media held exclusive rights to Satellite Pay TV until 1997 Galaxy franchises to CETV (now Austar) and East Coast Television for subscribers in regional areas, ECTV has Coastal NSW and Tasmania and CETV the remainder
GalaxyAustarCETVECTV
Optus Vision Launches
Optus Vision launches their service on 19th September 1995, alongside an announcement Optus intended to accelerate their HFC Cable Network rollout to increase its coverag with a $531 million investment, plans were to pass 2.3 million homes by the end of 1996 (up from 1.1 million)
Optus Vision
Foxtel Purchase 50% of XYZ Entertainment
Foxtel purchase 50% of XYZ Entertainment, securing four additional channels (Max, Arena, Quest and Red) Its further revealed that Foxtel will pay $25 per subscriber per month to Galaxy for access to channels
FoxtelXYZ EntertainmentGalaxy
Foxtel Launches
Foxtel launches their cable service, utilising Telstra's HFC Cable Network, on 22nd October 1995 with a 20 channel service
Foxtel
Australis Proposed Merger with Foxtel
Australis proposed to merge Galaxy with Foxtel by reverse takeover, with Galaxy reportedly on the brink of collapse. Telstra and News Limited would be given 28.75% of the new company in a mix of shares and convertible notes.
GalaxyFoxtel
Optus Cable Rollout Obstruction in Victoria
Optus' cable rollout hits a hurdle after the Victorian Supreme Court rules in favour of a Melbourne council's objection to the rollout via overhead means
Optus
Optus Cable Rollout Obstruction in Sydney
Optus' issues with their cable rollout continue, with sixteen Sydney councils applying for an injunction to stop the rollout. Telstra say they would be prepaired to consider applcations for access to their underground ducts to allow the rollout to continue
Optus
Galaxy-Foxtel Merger Rejected and Super League Loses
Proposal for merger between Galaxy and Foxtel rejected by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). Super League loses Federal Court battle over ARL
GalaxyFoxtel
News Corp Wins Super League Appeal Stay
News Corp wins stay of appeal over Super League decision
News Corp (Australia)
Australis Rescue Deal and PBL Investment
Change in Ownership / Voting Rights for Australis Media after a rescue deal is brokered to keep Australis afloat after it is revealed to be in debt to the order of $162 million. The deal gives Australis capacity to continue to trade for another 6 months. PBL invests in Australis, and takes first and last right of refusal over Australis assets
Australis MediaPBL
Australis double sells content rights?
Article in News Limited papers alleges that Australis has sold content rights twice in some regional areas, to Foxtel on a non-exclusive basis and to CETV (now Austar) on an exclusive basis, becoming an issue for Foxtel as Telstra is installing HFC Cable on the Gold Coast, a CETV exclusive market
Australis MediaFoxtelCETV
Australis resolves exclusive contents rights issue with CETV
Australis resolves exclusive contents rights issue with CETV - Australis will pay $8 to $10 per month for every Foxtel subscriber in CETV's market
Australis MediaFoxtelCETV
Subscriber Numbers: July 1996
286,000 homes subscribed Austar/Galaxy: 40,000 Foxtel: 100,000 Optus: 40,000
AustarGalaxyFoxtelOptus
Australis and PBL and Optus come to agreement to save it from recievership
Australis comes to agreement with consortium led by PBL and Optus for a deal to save it from recievership, but will require ACCC approval for Optus' proposed infrastructure sharing deal
Australis MediaPBLOptus
Optus restates rollout targets
Optus announces it will pass 2.3 million homes by the end of the year, amidst difficulties rolling out telephony on the HFC network
Optus
Australis and Optus Infrastructure Sharing Approved
Proposal for Satellite Infrastructure Sharing between Australis and Optus accepted by ACCC
Australis MediaOptus
CETV Rebrands to Austar
CETV changes it's name to Austar.
AustarCETV
Austar Darwin Cable Launch
Austar launches their cable service in Darwin, NT. Austar choose cable (costing $16 million) due to the inability to adequately service the city with MMDS and concerns about the impacts of satellite reception in cyclone season Austar expects to pass all 26,000 homes in Darwin by the end of the year
Austar
Super League War: Federal Court allows Super League to commence
Federal Court sets aside previously made orders, allowing Super League to commence in 1997
super-league
PBL guarantee Australis' survival
PBL guarantee Australis' survival with promise of additional capital, meanwhile Galaxy's CEO Neil Gamble is replaced with Sean O'Halloran from Optus Vision
Australis MediaPBL
Seven Sues Optus Vision Partners
Seven Network sues Optus Vision partners over alleged breach of shareholder agreement
SevenOptus Vision
Super League War: Final Appeal Dismissed
Australian Rugby League's final appeal is dismissed
super-league
Austar and ECTV launch legal action to stop Australis/Optus joint venture
Both Austar and East Coast Television launch legal action to stop the proposed Australis/Optus joint venture, citing concerns over the ability for Optus to deliver programming into their regions, breaching their exclusive agreements with Australis
AustarECTVAustralis MediaOptus
Neighborhood Cable Launches and Foxtel Expands
Neighborhood Cable launches Cable Service in Mildura, Victoria. Access Cable Television mothballs proposal for cable rollout in 21 Northern NSW towns/cities after being unable to negotiate several obstacles. Foxtel expands into Perth. Foxtel adds National Geographic Channel & The Lifestyle Channel to lineup. Red rebrands as Channel [V]
Neighbourhood CableFoxtel
East Coast Television owner flags sale
East Coast Television owner Century Communications flags they wish to sell ECTV, having lost $190 million. Austar is said to be interested in buying ECTV.
century-communicationsAustarECTV
Northgate Communications Launches Ballarat Cable Service
Northgate Communications launches their Ballarat based cable service on 13th March 1997, with plans to run cable to service 26,000 homes Televsion service launches with 20 channels
Northgate Communications
Optus Buys Out Optus Vision Partners
In what is refered to as the 'Good Friday Settlement', Optus buys out Optus Vision partners to end Seven's action, offering Optus Vision partners rights to buy shares in Optus Communications in a forthcoming float
OptusOptus VisionSeven
Australis and Optus joint venture blocked by Federal Court
Federal Court blocks Australis joint venture with Optus after Foxtel challenged it on competition grounds. Optus and Australis commence merger discussions
Australis MediaFoxtelOptus
PBL and News Limited announce Foxtel tie-up
PBL and News Limited announce they will work together 'for the benefit of Foxtel', PBL will trade junk bonds in Australis for share of Foxtel
PBLNews Corp (Australia)Foxtel
New Galaxy/Foxtel merger proposal
Another Galaxy/Foxtel merger is proposed
GalaxyFoxtel
Cable & Wireless Invests in Optus
Cable & Wireless invest in Optus Communications.
cable-wirelessOptusGalaxyFoxtel
Subscriber Numbers: July 1997
650,000 homes subscribed Austar/Galaxy: 160,000 Foxtel: 200,000 Optus: 180,000
AustarGalaxyFoxtelOptus
Super League War: News Corporation and ARL announce new company
News Corporation and the ARL after protracted negotiations, announce new company to conduct the rugby league competition from 1998, with the ARL inviting the Super League clubs to participate
super-league
Telstra and Optus Stop Cable Rollouts
Optus announces it will windback the construction of their HFC network with plans to stop rollout shortly. In response, Telstra also announces they will windback and ultimately stop their rollout as well
ACCC reject merger proposal between Galaxy & Foxtel. But its further revealed that Australis has insufficient funds to get past December 1997, causing Foxtel to call off further merger plans. Australis subsequently initiate court proceedings against Telstra for damages
GalaxyFoxtelAustralis MediaTelstra
Super League War: ARL affiliated teams agree to News settlement
ARL affiliated teams agree to accept News Limited's settlement offer paving the way for the National Rugby League to commence with a 20 team competition in 1998, with News Limited and the Australian Rugby League sharing 50% ownership
super-leagueNews Corp (Australia)
Telstra and Optus Cable Rollout Completion
With rollout of cable networks ending, Telstra end up passing 3 million homes in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Adelaide and Perth Meanwhile, Optus passed 2.2 million homes in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane
TelstraOptus
Super League War: NRL TV Rights
Nine Network seal Free-to-air rights to the new National Rugby League until 2007 for $13 million a season, Foxtel and Optus Vision share Pay TV rights until 2000
NineFoxtelOptussuper-league
Seven Network signs long term programming deal with Optus
Seven Network sign a long term programming deal with Optus to operate a new 24 hour sports channel, following the collapse of SportsVision Australia. Seven expects after an intital 6 month exclusivity period with Optus it would extend availablity to Austar and Foxtel. Optus also sign a new agreement with ESPN to retain international sports programming.
SevenOptus
PBL Exercises Foxtel Option
PBL announce that it will exercise an option to acquire 25% of Foxtel (from News Corporation's 50% share)
PBLFoxtelNews Corp (Australia)
Australis facing legal action from Foxtel, PBL and it's suppliers of Movie content
Australis is facing legal action from Foxtel, PBL and it's suppliers of Movie content, having obtained additional funding to keep the business afloat
Northgate Communications announces they are abandoning plans to rollout cable service in Ballarat, Victoria choosing to focus on long-distance telephony
Northgate Communications
Galaxy Collapses: Optus satellite distribution deals
After elongated negotiations, Optus secures satellite distribution deals with Austar and ECTV Austar elect to form a joint venture with Optus to operate a shared satellite platform which also includes content access, with the joint venture purchasing the conditional access system used by Galaxy from Australis recievers
AustarECTVOptus
Galaxy Collapses: Austar signs programming agreement with Optus Vision
Alongside their satellite deal, Austar sign an agreement that will allow them to add programming from Optus Vision to their service alongside content from XYZ Entertainment and Foxtel
AustarOptus VisionXYZ EntertainmentFoxtel
Galaxy Collapses: ECTV signs franchise agreement with Optus Vision
ECTV signs a deal with Optus Vision to become an Optus franchisee, allowing them to carry Optus Vision programming alongside their own (via XYZ Entertainment)
ECTVOptus VisionXYZ Entertainment
Galaxy Collapses
Galaxy collapses after Australis Media is declared insolvent by the Supreme Court of NSW and put into receivership.
Australis MediaGalaxy
Galaxy Collapses: Austar and ECTV to continue operating
Austar and ECTV continue to operate under their own management
AustarECTVGalaxyFoxtel
Galaxy Collapse: Australis Media placed into liquidation
Australis is placed into liquidation on 18th May 1998, revealed that it had failed to make payment for Movie Channel rights, resulting in these agreements with Movie studios defaulting to Foxtel.
GalaxyAustralis MediaFoxtel
Galaxy Collapses: Foxtel purchase agreement with Australis Receiver
Foxtel acquires satellite dishes and set-top-boxes from the reciever of Australis Media, planning to offer an interim service to Galaxy customers
FoxtelAustralis MediaGalaxy
Austar Acquires ECTV and Increases XYZ Investment
A month after finalising a content supply agreement with Optus, East Coast Television is sold by Century Communications to Austar for $10 million. Austar increases investment in XYZ Entertainment to 50% after acquiring ECTV's share for $40 million
AustarECTVXYZ Entertainment
Boulos purchases ex-Australis MDS infrastructure
Former Australis landlord Mike Boulos pays $3 million for the remainder of Australis' MDS infrastructure and the Nightmoves channel with plans to launch a new pay TV service
Australis MediaTARBS
TARBS Launches
With an additional $12 million investment in MDS licences and equipment, including 70,000 installed set-top-boxes, Mike Boulos launches Television and Radio Broadcasting Services (TARBS) with plans for expanding availablity of ethnic programming
Publishing and Broadcasting Limited (PBL) purchases a 25% stake in Foxtel (via News Corporation) for $150 million
PBLFoxtelNews Corp (Australia)
Optus and Foxtel reach satellite agreement
Optus finally reaches an agreement with Foxtel over supply of satellite transponder space for Foxtel's forthcoming satellite service, Foxtel waiting for Optus to drop threats to switch off the interim service for ex-Galaxy customers before negotiating.
OptusFoxtel
Telstra and News Limited dispute over Foxtel
Telstra and News Limited were in dispute about the future of Foxtel, according to documents tabled in the C7 court case, Telstra executives recommended legal action to force News Limited to sell its stake in Foxtel. Ultimately deciding not to follow through
TelstraNews Corp (Australia)
Foxtel Satellite Service Launch
Official Launch of Foxtel's Satellite Service, increasing Foxtel's Service Area to 4.5 million homes. Indecision over what satellite to use (Optus B3 or one operated by PanAmSat) had delayed the launch, ultimately choosing to remain on Optus B3
Foxtel
Austar Lists on ASX
Austar United Communication launches onto the Australian Stock Exchange with an initial price of $4.70
Austar
Digital Television Policy Announced
Announcement by Federal Government regarding policy Digital Television for Terrestrial
government
Australis Franchising Rights Resolved
Messy Franchising rights, a legacy of Australis Media are finally resolved
Australis Media
C7 Sports Olympic Channels Launch
C7 Sports offers 2 Olympic channels with 24hr coverage of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, available on Austar, Foxtel & Optus
AustarFoxtelOptus
Foxtel Acquires AFL Rights
Foxtel acquires the Subscription Television rights to the AFL from 2001
Foxtel
Foxtel Ad Campaign and Subscriber Milestone
Foxtel launch new ad campaign - 'It's not TV... it's Foxtel'. Foxtel reach 750,000 Subscribers
Foxtel
Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting Commences
Commencement of Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting using DVB-T
government
TransTV Launches
TransACT launches their Canberra based service TransTV
TransACT
Neighborhood Cable Expansion Plans Revealed while Ballarat Rollout Continues
Neighborhood Cable reveal ambitious plans to expand their cable service to Bendigo, Geelong, Shepparton and Albury/Wodonga after revealing that their HFC network had surpassed 900km reaching 38,000 homes in Mildura and Ballarat At April 2001, Neighborhood Cable had 1350 customers in Mildura across 8000 houses while rollout continued in Ballarat building on the aborted Northgate Communications HFC network
Neighbourhood CableNorthgate Communications
Optus iTV Trial
Optus Television commence trial of digital interactive television, called 'Optus iTV', over parts of it's Sydney HFC network
OptusOptus iTV
Neighborhood Cable Ballarat Cable Service Launched
Neighborhood Cable launches Cable Service in Ballarat, Victoria.
Neighbourhood Cable
Austar Starts Dismantling MMDS Network
Austar start dismantling their MMDS network, as their service grows beyond the capacity of the network and the spectrum licences become more valuable for high-speed internet services
Austar
Foxtel-Optus Content Sharing Agreement Announced
Announcement of proposed Content Sharing Agreement between Foxtel & Optus
FoxtelOptus
Foxtel-Optus Content Sharing Agreement Signed
Foxtel and Optus sign the ACCC-approved CSA, consolidating the Subscription industry, becoming a precursor to the digital expansion. Foxtel commits to an upgrade to offer Digital Services
FoxtelOptus
Foxtel on TransACT Commences
Foxtel on TransACT Commences
FoxtelTransACT
Content Sharing Deal
Foxtel and Optus gain approval to share content
FoxtelOptus
Optus Gains Foxtel Programming and Telstra Bundling
Optus Television gains access to Foxtel programming through the CSA. Telstra commences bundling of Foxtel services with their Internet & Telephony services
OptusFoxtelTelstra
Neighborhood Cable Launches in Geelong
Neighborhood Cable launches Cable Service in Geelong, Victoria
Neighbourhood Cable
Foxtel Digital Campus in Macquarie Park
Announcement of Foxtel's Digital Television Campus, to be based at the former Optus iTV broadcast centre in Macquarie Park, Sydney.
Foxtel
TransACT and Foxtel Agreement
TransACT signs supply agreement to offer Foxtel services over its network in Canberra
FoxtelTransACT
Optus iTV Trial Ends
Optus iTV trial ends, wound up after Optus signed the Foxtel CSA
OptusOptus iTV
Neighborhood Cable and Foxtel Agreement
Neighbourhood Cable signs supply agreement to offer Foxtel Services over its network in Geelong, but ultimately does not exercise that agreement
FoxtelNeighbourhood Cable
Foxtel OpenTV, Pace and AAPT Agreements
Announcement of OpenTV being contracted for Interactive Application Middleware and Pace Micro Technologies for Set Top Boxes for Foxtel's Digital Product. AAPT becomes reseller of the Foxtel product
Foxtelopentvpaceaapt
Optus C1 Launch and Foxtel-Austar Migration
Successful launch of Optus C1, allowing Foxtel to continue its Digital Product launch. Migration of Foxtel/Austar from Optus B3 to Optus C1. Austar becomes customer of Foxtel's Satellite Platform
OptusFoxtelAustar
Optus C1 Launched
Optus's only C-Class satellite, Optus C1 is successfully launched from French Guiana on 11th June 2003 Optus C1 is partially funded by the Australian Defence Department, sharing functionality between defence and telecommunications Optus C1 is positioned at 156°E longitude, replacing Optus B3
Optus
TARBS Collapses
TARBS Collapses
TARBS
Neighborhood Cable Geelong Rollout Completed
Neighborhood Cable completes rollout of their Geelong HFC Cable Network, passing 50,000 homes
Neighbourhood Cable
Foxtel and Austar Announce Digital Offerings
Foxtel and Austar announce the launch of their Digital offerings, including Foxtel securing $550 million in funding to fund the move
FoxtelAustar
Foxtel and Austar Digital Launches
Foxtel and Austar Digital launches on March 14th 2004
FoxtelAustar
Foxtel on TransACT Ceases
Foxtel on TransACT Ceases
FoxtelTransACT
Sports Active Interactive Application Launches
First Sporting Event in Australia to be complimented with an Interactive Application, Sports Active, allowing for access to a wide range of information during the match
Foxtel
Austar Digital launches on Darwin Cable network
Launch of Austar's Digital service on their Darwin HFC Cable Network
Austar
UBI World TV Launches
UBI World TV Launches
UBI World TV
TVN Access and Foxtel iQ Announcement
TVN becomes first service to gain access to the Foxtel Digital Network via Foxtel's open access regime. Foxtel announces Foxtel iQ, a Personal Digital Recorder allowing subscribers to record programming onto a Hard Drive
tvnFoxtel
iQ PVR Launches
iQ PVR Launches
Foxtel
Foxtel-Optus Digital Resale Agreement
Foxtel & Optus agree to the resale of Foxtel Digital on the Optus cable network and through an non-exclusive agent arrangement to sell outside of the Optus cable network
FoxtelOptus
Optus TV featuring Foxtel Digital Launches
Optus launch their Optus TV featuring Foxtel Digital product, after successful trials. The service would use the same equipment as deployed by Foxtel (Set Top Box, encryption and interactive platform)
OptusFoxtel
Ten and Seven Win AFL Rights
Networks Ten & Seven win the Television Rights for the AFL for the period 2007-2011 for $780 million for the 5 year period (both in cash and contra)
TenSeven
Fox Sports Commonwealth Games Interactive Coverage
Interactive Coverage of the Commonwealth Games (Melbourne) by Fox Sports
fox-sports
Foxtel Express Interest in Buying Austar
Foxtel expresses interest and then firms as frontrunners to buy Austar, with Seven Media Group and private equity firm KKR believed to be losing interest, but ultimately does not proceed
FoxtelAustarSeven
Foxtel HD+ Launches
Foxtel HD+ Launches
Foxtel
Neighbourhood Cable purchased by TransACT
Neighbourhood Cable purchased by TransACT
Neighbourhood CableTransACT
Optus stops offering service to new subscribers
Optus stops offering service to new subscribers
Optus
Foxtel HD Launches
Foxtel launches High Definition service
Foxtel
Optus D3 Launched
Optus's third D-Class satellite, Optus D3 is successfully launched from French Guiana on 21st August 2009 Optus D3 is positioned at 156°E longitude, co-located with Optus C1
Optus
Foxtel Next Generation Launches
Foxtel Next Generation Launches
Foxtel
Fetch TV launches with iiNet
Fetch TV launches with iiNet
Fetch TViinet
Optus recommences offering service to new subscribers
Optus recommences offering service to new subscribers
Optus
Rebranded and Merged with TransACT
Neighbourhood Cable rebranded and merged with TransACT
Neighbourhood CableTransACT
Foxtel and Austar Announce Merger
Foxtel and Austar enter agreement for Foxtel to acquire Austar, requiring shareholder and regulatory approval Deal is announced with the agreement of Austar's major shareholder Liberty Global
Austar's minority shareholders approve the merger of Austar with Foxtel
FoxtelAustar
AFR reports reveal secret News Corp unit promoting piracy
The Australian Financial Review, in a series of articles, reveals that a secret unit within a News Corporation entity (NDS) were promoting piracy, that caused an estimated $50 million impact to all three providers. The articles come as Foxtel waits for final approvals for its acquisition of Austar
FoxtelAustarNews Corp (Australia)
Foxtel/Austar Merger: Competition Approval
Foxtel's acquisition of Austar recieves competition approval
FoxtelAustar
Migration to Fetch TV
Neighbourhood Cable migration to Fetch TV
Neighbourhood CableFetch TV
Foxtel/Austar Merger: Completed
Foxtel's acquisition of Austar is completed with Foxtel announcing a number of programming changes to align both offerings. Further integration of backend systems is still required
FoxtelAustar
Foxtel/Austar Merger: XYZnetworks closes
Completion of Foxtel's acquisition of Austar (and their share of XYZ) results in XYZnetworks closing and being merged into Foxtel
FoxtelAustarXYZ Entertainment
UBI World TV Collapses
UBI World TV ceases operations, after calling in voluntary administration
UBI World TV
News Corporation acquires Consolidated Media Holdings returns Foxtel stake to 50%
News Corporation's acquisition of Consolidated Media Holdings returns it's stake in Foxtel to 50%
Foxtel phase out Austar branding, transitioning to a single brand, Foxtel
FoxtelAustar
Optus 10 Launched
Optus 10 is successfully launched from Guiana on 11th September 2014 to replace Optus C1 Optus 10 is positioned at 156°E longitude, co-located with Optus D3
Optus
Foxtel purchases 15% of Ten Network Holdings
Foxtel purchases 15% of Ten Network Holdings
FoxtelTen
Transition to Fetch TV
TransACT transition to Fetch TV
TransACTFetch TV
News Corporation announces Foxtel will merge with Fox Sports Australia
News Corp Australia announces Foxtel will merge with Fox Sports Australia, resulting in News Corp Australia owning 65% of the merged entity and Telstra owning 35%
News Corp (Australia)FoxtelTelstra
4K + iQ4 Launches
4K + iQ4 Launches
Foxtel
Kayo Sports Launches
Kayo Sports Launches
Foxtel
New Foxtel Experience Launches
New Foxtel Experience Launches
Foxtel
Binge Launches
Binge Launches
Foxtel
iQ5 Launches
iQ5 Launches
Foxtel
Flash Launches
Flash Launches
Foxtel
Telstra purchase 51.4% of Fetch TV
Telstra purchase 51.4% of Fetch TV
TelstraFetch TV
Cable Network Shutdown
Cable Network Shutdown
Foxtel
DAZN Announces Foxtel Acquisition
DAZN announces it will acquire Foxtel in a deal worth $3.4 billion that will see Foxtel shareholders News Corp Australia and Telstra take 6% and 3% minority stakes in DAZN
DAZNFoxtelNews Corp (Australia)Telstra
DAZN acquires Foxtel
DAZN completes the acquisition of Foxtel after receiving all regulatory approvals