What is Telstra TV?
So, let’s kick things off by establishing what this “Telstra TV” is. Despite what it might sound like, Telstra TV is not a TV channel dedicated to talking about all the latest Telstra deals and talking to the board members of the company.It’s a device that allows you to watch all your streaming services and catch up and Live TV in one place.
When it arrives, you’ll get the Telstra TV box that you can plug into your TV’s HDMI port. You’ll also get a remote control that can make switching between services easier. If you have any of the following streaming services, you can watch them on Telstra TV; Foxtel, Binge, Telstra TV Box Office, Netflix, Stan, Disney+, Prime Video, Paramount+, HayU, Brit Box, YouTube, Tubi, Mubi, CrunchyRoll, Vimeo, Plex. And, of course, you also have the option to watch regular catch-up and live events (great for sports fans).
Pros and Cons of Telstra TV
Overall, it’s fair to say the Australian public is not overjoyed about Telstra TV. One product review page gave it just 2.3/5 stars.
So, it’s not a terrible product, but it’s not for everyone.
Cons
- It often cuts off during live events.
Most likely due to technical errors, some customers have complained that their Telstra TV can struggle to broadcast live events reliably. Whether you’re enjoying a concert, or a sports game, to have the whole experience, you need reliable live coverage. - The remote it comes with often needs replacing.
Although Telstra TV can come with voice control, some people might still prefer to use a remote control. When the remote control breaks, you may need to spend time and money on getting a new one. Not to mention, regularly replacing your plastic remote control is not eco-friendly. - It’s hard to talk to a human being when there’s a problem.
It’s not just Telstra this applies, but too many companies. When you have a problem, instead of talking to a human being who can solve the issue, you can only talk to a robot or read forums. - It glitches and often needs resetting.
Nobody likes it when they’re cut-off mid-TV-show. It can be incredibly frustrating when glitches happen whilst you’re comfortably watching your favourite TV show, and you need to leave your chair.
Pros
- You can control and search using your voice.
Today, voice control isn’t new. But it’s still advantageous. Let’s say you’re watching Netflix when it’s time to watch your team play. All you need to do is tell your Telstra TV to go off Netflix and go to the sports channel. The only part that you need to move is your lips. - You can pause and rewind live TV.
Whether you were looking at your phone or the kids were calling you, if you missed a crucial moment, you can go back and rewatch it. Again, this kind of technology isn’t new, but many customers have found it to be beneficial. - Watch in 4K HD.
TV quality has gone up a lot recently. With Telstra TV, you can enjoy your TV shows and movies in their highest quality. This can significantly improve the watching experience. - The “Netflix” button on the remote makes it easy to access.
If you don’t like using voice control but still like Netflix, you can just press the “Netflix” button on the remote control. - It’s easy to navigate.
The whole idea of Telstra TV is that it’s easier to navigate. With everything all in one place, finding the things you need has never been simpler.
There is no need to change boxes, switch devices, or enter passwords. Just select what streaming platform you want, and watch away.
Telstra TV available subscriptions
If you’re considering getting Telstra TV, you have a couple of payment options. The first one is to pay for the whole thing in one go. For a one-off payment of AU$216, it’s yours. If you can’t afford that, you can also pay AU$9 for 24 months on a contract. Regardless of your choice, the services will be the same. Due to Australian Consumer Law, you are entitled to a refund if you are unhappy with your purchase.
Should I buy Telstra TV?
Based on the reviews, and my personal experience with streaming services, I would say Telstra TV probably wouldn’t be worth the money. I have never been in a situation that made me think, “Switching from Netflix, to another service is so difficult!”. However, if it sounds like something that would work for you, feel free to try it, just be sure to read their return policy before you do.
Conclusion
Telstra TV is a funny service. It’s really the overlap of a number of things you can piece together yourself. You could view it as a single place to collate all the apps you’ve signed up for (Netflix, Disney Plus and so on). Of course, most modern Smart TVs can install those apps directly. In truth, Telstra TV is probably a service the company will stop offering sometime in the near future. Recently, Telstra invested in Fetch TV, which is also a box external to the TV but which offers features Telstra TV does not, such as the ability to record live broadcast TV and set a series link on the shows you like. Ultimately, the solution we will all end up using will most likely resemble YouTube TV in the USA. They offer an entirely internet-based, Smart TV solution with what is effectively a cable TV app. Users get unlimited DVR storage and are tied into other streaming apps direct from the TV.