Foxtel's Hubbl is... uh

What is Foxtel Hubbl?

Foxtel’s Hubbl is a small streaming puck designed to bring streaming services and terrestrial free-to-air television together through one interface. The device includes HDMI output, a proprietary power connection, Ethernet and a terrestrial antenna connection. It comes with a dedicated remote.

The HDMI output supports up to 4K HDR10 and HDR. However, 4K output is limited to 24 frames per second, while 60Hz is available at 1080p. This limitation became apparent during testing when video recorded at 30 frames per second caused strobing until the frame rate was changed to 24fps. Image quality itself was described as excellent, including with 4K HDR YouTube content, Prime Video and movies.

Streaming and free-to-air television

Hubbl’s main point of difference is its attempt to combine internet streaming with television received through an aerial. Streaming versions of services such as Channel 7’s app and ABC iview can have content licensing limitations. For example, free-to-air AFL content may not be available through an internet television app, while it can be available through the terrestrial broadcast received by an aerial.

The device presents channels and streaming services in a similar interface. Its TV Guide can show available channels and provide a small preview, but accessing terrestrial television is not especially direct. Selecting a channel can attempt to open the streaming app instead, particularly when the displayed channel is not localised. To watch the aerial feed, users need to go through All Inputs and select the television receiver option. The process was described as slow and more frustrating than using a normal television.

Interface and app limitations

The home screen shows popular or trending programmes from services including Prime Video, Netflix and iview. These suggestions are not personalised to the user in the way Pat says they are on Google TV or Apple TV. Hubbl can still direct viewers to the next season of a programme if it is available on another subscribed service.

The app drawer is limited and navigation can feel laggy. Settings are located at the bottom of a TV selection screen rather than being available through a dedicated button on the remote. Hubbl also does not provide a general app installation experience. The available apps are pre-installed, and users cannot uninstall unwanted apps or add new ones.

Subscription stacking and data concerns

Hubbl allows selected subscriptions to be managed through a Hubbl account. Users can stack eligible services and receive credits, with the transcript stating that stacking three services provides the first $5 credit and stacking five can provide $15. However, the offer only applies to services selected by Foxtel, rather than every popular streaming service.

The available subscription plans can also differ from the cheapest plans offered directly by a service. The example given was Netflix, where the cheaper advertising-supported plan was not available through Hubbl. Existing subscriptions are not simply linked through a sign-in button. Users may instead need to pay for the Hubbl subscription first, then connect their account, creating a risk of paying separately for duplicate subscriptions.

The terms and conditions discussed in the review refer to information about viewing behaviour and interactions with content being used for advertising. They also refer to broadband and internet services, including what users search for and open. Pat said this raised questions about what information the device may be able to access on a home network, although he did not establish exactly how this would work.

How it compares with other devices

The review describes Hubbl as a rebranded version of Sky Stream. The UK version was presented as a more useful bundle, combining content and internet services under one Sky package. By contrast, Pat felt the Australian offering separated services into multiple pieces and did not provide enough value.

The Hubbl remote includes a Google button that appeared not to do anything, while its microphone button activates Hubbl’s voice feature. The device is built on Android TV software with a Hubbl interface layered over it, but the locked-down software means it does not offer the flexibility normally associated with Android TV devices.