It shares many features with the Sky service in the UK and Ireland — including the iQ box, the electronic programme guide, a similar remote control, and Red Button Active.

On 23 October 1995, Foxtel commenced a 20 channel service, delivered over the Telstra Hybrid Fibre Coaxial network.

[5] Publishing & Broadcasting Limited bought half of News Corporation's shares in October 1998, giving each quarter ownership.

[6] In 2002, a Content Sharing Agreement between Foxtel and Optus Television was approved by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC).

News Corporation acquired Consolidated Media Holdings in November 2012, bringing its stake in Foxtel to 50%, up from 25%.

[13] On 15 June 2015, Foxtel officially agreed to buyout 15% shares in Ten Network Holdings, subject to approval from the ACCC.

On 4 May 2020, it was announced that Foxtel would be closing down its owned & operated music video networks and replacing them with a new suite of MTV, Nick and CMT-branded channels, as part of a wider deal with Paramount.

[18] On 26 February 2022, Foxtel suspended broadcast distribution of the Russian television network RT in Australia.

[20][21] In August 2024, it was reported that News Corp Australia was pursuing a sale of Foxtel, citing third-party interest in the division during a strategic review of its assets.

[25][26][27] Foxtel grew rapidly in 2007, with most of Foxtel's highest-ever rating events being broadcast that year, including the 2007 AFC Asian Cup quarter-final between Australia and Japan, which drew an average of 419,000 viewers,[28] an Australian pay television record at that time.

Foxtel now also transmits its satellite service into these cities as well as all over Australia, including regional areas since the takeover of Austar.

In 2007, Network 10 formed an agreement with Foxtel to allow them to carry a digital version of Ten's programming.

Included in the deal is electronic program guide data, which allows Foxtel iQ users to schedule recordings on Ten.

Also available on iQ3, iQ4 and iQ5 set top boxes are ABC iView, ABC Kids, SBS On Demand, 7plus, 9Now, 10Play, Netflix, Disney+, Paramount+, F1 TV, Optus Sport, YouTube, YouTube Kids, Vevo, Amazon Prime Video and Stan apps.

TV1 and SF ceased transmission at 11:59 pm, on 31 December 2013 after Foxtel chose not to renew their contracts as they wanted to bring as many channels in house as they did with their movie offerings.

STUDIO ceased transmission at 11:59 pm, on 27 March 2015 after choosing not to renew the contract with SBS Television.

The service offers over 50 live channels and hundreds of hours of video on-demand content across 6 subscription packages.

[52] Hubbl, formerly Streamotion Pty Ltd, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Foxtel that develops and operates over-the-top subscription streaming services.

[84] This service has been the source of great controversy as there was no support for Linux, Mac or any 64 bit Windows Operating Systems, leaving many users unable to install the client.

Entertainment, Fashion TV, Discovery Mobile, Disney Channel, Eurosport, Union Extreme Sports, Cartoon Network, TV1, National Geographic, ABC, SBS One and Eurosportnews.

[86] Foxtel launched in November 2010 for the Xbox 360 games console, offering 38 channels, catch-up television and on-demand movie streaming.

In 2014, Foxtel launched a movie streaming operation Presto, which was initially priced at $19.99, but was halved a few months later.

[90] In August 2018, Foxtel launched a streaming VOD (video on demand) movie service called FoxFlicks.

The Live2Air system offered 24 Foxtel channels and was only available on selected Boeing 737 aircraft, and was phased out beginning in 2012.

Foxtel iQ also allows viewers to use live rewind and pause features during television programmes.

The iQ3 contains increased internet connectivity with the inclusion of Wi-Fi and the ability to re-watch certain broadcast programmes to the start using on-demand technology.

[100][101] However, an iQ3 software update in late 2019 allows integration with Netflix titles when connected to a television unit with an application for the service.

[102] The iQ5 is Foxtel's latest set top box which came out in September 2021 and can operate in two different modes depending on what service is available at customer's premises.

The Australian anti-siphoning laws also prevent Foxtel and other pay TV suppliers from acquiring exclusive rights to specific sporting events such as cricket, golf, tennis and the football codes.

Under the legislation pay TV licensees are prevented from bidding for major sporting events until a right is acquired by the ABC, SBS, Seven, Nine and Ten networks.