sasbear

Not sure if I am happy or sad - I have to change from foxtel when I move in 2 weeks to Austar..just checked out the web site for Austar and found that UK TV is about 2 years behind Foxtel curently....

moneypenny20

Don't know about UK TV being behind but I shouldn't worry too much. Austar is no different from Foxtel, they just show different footie codes dependent on where you are. Foxtel are in the cities (but spreading out) and Austar, part owned by Foxtel are everywhere else.

paulry

That's quick (your move). I hope it all goes smoothly for you

Hutch

Austar is, in every way, the poor cousin of Foxtel. The setup they have in this country beggars belief to be honest - a monopoly divied up between off-shots of the same media organisation. One of those companies serves metropolitan areas, the other the burbs and the countryside. Just utterly bizarre.

But yea, Foxtel's PVR is superior in every way to Austar's awful MyStar box. Foxtel has hi-defiinition output, Austar does not. Foxtel offer mobile viewing services, Austar do not.

That said, I'd be surprised if the main channels were any different. There *is* only one UKTV as far as I know - you sure you weren't checking out-of-date listings?

Burbage

Good time to repost my Selling Austar Sketch:

Austar Seller: Excuse me sir, but do you live near here?
Burbage: Yes, why?
AS: I’d like to know if you’re interested in upgrading your TV to Austar?
Burbage: Hmm… How much will you pay me?
AS: I’m sorry?
Burbage: Well, you want to place advertising in my home, exposing my carefully selected and influential householders and guests to companies that pay you money to advertise on your channels, correct?
AS: Yes, but you get all these television programmes.
Burbage: Oh, I see. I get television programmes in return for your advertisers’ access to my audience. All right then.
AS: Yes that’s it.
Burbage: For free?
AS: Yes no*. You get the basic package for 30$ and then you can add other packages.
Burbage: 30$ a year?
AS: No 30$ a month.
Burbage: Let me get this right. You want to fill my house with advertising and you want me to pay over 300$ a year for the privilege. Is this legal?
AS: Well you have to sign a contract.
Burbage: That’s what you think sonny.
AS: But you get all the sport and movies.
Burbage: Included in the 30$?
AS: Yes no well that actually would push the price up to about 100$.
Burbage: I can buy 10 DVDs for that. A month.
AS: Yes but you get the sport.
Burbage: What sport?
AS: Well, all the football from Europe!
Burbage: Why the **** do you think I emigrated?
AS: I’m sorry?
Burbage: It’s all right lad, not your fault.
AS: So, are you interested?
Burbage: You want to fill my house with advertising and badly made American Sitcoms?
AS: Er… Yes.
Burbage: And if I pay three times that amount you’ll throw in a lot of European football and the two or three good movies that actually come out in a year?
AS: ER… Yes.
Burbage: And you want me to pay for it?
AS: Er… yes, that’s how it works.
Burbage: Why don’t you come right out and say it?
AS: Say what?
Burbage: Well you obviously think I’m an idiot, why don’t you just say it and get it over with.
AS: But loads of people have Austar?
Burbage: Loads of people have herpes, doesn’t mean I have to have it, does it?
AS: No.
Burbage: Well that’s no argument then.
AS: So you don’t want it?
Burbage: Who said I didn’t want it?
AS: You did?
Burbage: Did I?
AS: Didn’t you?
Burbage: No.
AS: What did you say then?
Burbage: I said that Austar is a fine company and wouldn’t ever think of ripping anyone off ever.
AS: No you didn’t.
Burbage: No. I didn’t. Anyway, must dash, got to see a Nigerian about a money transfer. Best of luck.



*Australians have a habit of saying “yes no” if you ask them a difficult question.

NickyC

UKTV is UKTV - there's no difference in its programming/scheduling whether you get it from Foxtel, Austar or Optus.

micmay3_in_oz

No BBC knowledge or CBeebies on Austar

Burbage

Both are too highbrow for the Aussies. They prefer Discovery and cartoon network.

NickyC

Only too highbrow for people who live in provincial Australia.

Both channels are available in metropolitan areas via Foxtel...

sasbear

Maybe I did get the out of date stuff from an old link - but I went onto the Austar page and searched UKTV and it came up with a lot of hype about Emmerdale and the recent murder of Tom King!!! he has been ded and eaten by worms already......

sasbear

Thanks Paul - yes hubby and daughter move on 27th - so will have limited Internet access from then but I am moving on the 6th August.

has gone quite quickly really

Hutch

Just asked my missus about this as she used to watch Emmerdale on Austar until about three weeks ago and now watches the up-to-date one via ITV.com in the UK. She said that Tom King stuff happened donkeys years ago on Austar, but they recently revived the storyline because his sons are fighting amongst themselves. Or something. She says if it's any consolation, she managed to miss about 18 months of storyline jumping from the Austar to the UK one and it took her about a week to catch on.

Broad Shoulders

Is Seth still alive?

moneypenny20

What about Annie Sugden? I think she was there the last time I saw it but it had Farm at the end of the name in those days.

shiels

Whos Annie? must have been before my time!!!! X