Fetch TV Concludes Four-Year Price Halt with Music-Centric Channel Growth
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Brief Overview
- Fetch TV launches six new channels, which include Moonbug Kids and Declassified Military History.
- Four additional Stingray music channels cater to a variety of musical preferences.
- The Crunchyroll anime streaming service is now available, though it requires a dedicated subscription.
- Subscription rates are rising for the first time since 2021, with most plans now priced at $7.99 monthly.
- Customer feedback on the new channels and price increases has been mixed.
- Fetch TV retains competitive pricing when compared to other services like Netflix and Disney+.
New Channel Line-Up at Fetch TV
Fetch TV has broadened its channel selection by adding six new channels and integrating Crunchyroll, the well-known anime streaming service. This is a notable change as the Australian pay-TV provider implements its first subscription price raise since 2021, starting from 1 September.
Moonbug Kids Channel
The Moonbug Kids Channel features well-liked children’s shows such as CoComelon, Blippi, and Little Angel, all ad-free. This introduction marks the first dedicated channel for Moonbug on Australian television.
Declassified Military History
Declassified Military History debuts as a distinct offering, featuring documentaries focused on warfare, military strategies, and intelligence operations, exclusively available in Australia through Fetch TV.
Stingray Music Channels
Fetch TV rolls out four genre-specific Stingray music channels: Stingray Loud (rock), Stingray Retro (classic hits), Stingray Country, and Stingray Hits. These channels offer round-the-clock music programming to satisfy a range of musical tastes.
Crunchyroll Streaming Integration
Anime fans can now enjoy access to over 39,000 episodes from more than 1,600 titles, including One Piece and My Hero Academia, through the new Crunchyroll app. A separate subscription is required, pricing between A$10.99 and A$13.99 monthly.
Subscription Price Changes and Customer Feedback
The price modification sees the Vibe, Knowledge, Variety, and Kids packs increasing to $7.99 per month, the Ultimate Pack to $24.99 per month, and the Entertainment Pack to $17.99 monthly. The Movie Box package remains at $2.99 monthly.
Fetch TV CEO Dominic Arena remarked, “This commitment to premium content illustrates our dedication to providing excellent value and a wide entertainment range for Australian families.” Nonetheless, customer reactions have varied, with some expressing frustration over the price increases coupled with channel additions viewed as lacking.
Competitive Pricing Context
Fetch TV’s pricing tweaks follow a four-year period without change, contrasting with several hikes from competitors like Netflix, Stan, and Disney+. Industry analysts point out Fetch’s pricing stability amidst escalating content licensing and inflation challenges.
Collaborations and Community Involvement
Nicolas Eglau, Managing Director EMEA, APAC & Global Distribution at Moonbug Entertainment, shared his excitement regarding the launch of the Moonbug Channel in Australia, highlighting the chance to share beloved children’s content with more families.
Terry Li, EVP Emerging Businesses at Crunchyroll, recognized Australia’s enthusiastic anime community and praised the integration with Fetch TV as a means to deliver top-notch Japanese content directly into Australian homes.
Managing Subscriptions
Current subscribers will see price adjustments reflected in their initial billing cycle beginning 1 September, potentially incurring pro-rata charges based on billing timing. Subscription management is available through the Fetch device menu, allowing users to cancel services while maintaining access until the end of their billing period.
The channel additions are designed to enhance Fetch’s role as a versatile entertainment option, combining traditional cable-style content with on-demand and streaming services like Netflix.
Overview
Fetch TV’s expansion featuring new channels and Crunchyroll integration comes alongside subscription price increases, ending a four-year price freeze. While some customers appreciate the varied content, others criticize the price hikes. Fetch TV continues to assert itself as a competitive alternative to streaming giants, emphasizing stable pricing and unique content collaborations.