Jump to content

Fox8

From Alfawiki
Fox8
Company typePay television channel
IndustryTelevision broadcasting
Founded1995; 31 years ago (1995)
Headquarters
Australia
Area served
Australia
OwnerNews Corporation (implied as part of News Corporation's broadcast outlets)
Websitefox8.tv

Fox8 (also presented as FOX8, Fox 8, or FOX 8) is an Australian pay television channel accessible via subscription services such as Foxtel and Optus Television. It holds the position of the highest-rated subscription television channel in Australia. A high-definition variant, Fox8HD, was introduced on Foxtel and Austar platforms on 15 November 2008.

History

Initially named "Fox," this channel showcases numerous programs produced by Fox. It occupied channel 8 on Foxtel's analogue and Austar's standard services, while appearing on channel 108 across digital platforms. Serving as Foxtel’s premier subscription channel, Fox8 represents News Corporation's leading Australian broadcast outlet, akin to Sky1 in the United Kingdom and FX in the United States. It has been continuously broadcasting since Foxtel’s inception in 1995. During the late 1990s, Fox8 featured Saturday night NRL matches.

The timeshift service FOX8+2, offering a two-hour delay, was launched on Channel 150 for Foxtel and Austar Digital customers to accommodate viewers in different time zones. Fox8 maintains a content agreement with Network Ten, enabling it to air US Fox network programs like The Simpsons, Futurama, and The Simple Life. Following Foxtel’s discontinuation of Fox Kids in 2004, some of its children’s programming was transferred to Fox8’s morning schedule.

In early 2005, Fox8 underwent a significant rebranding that aligned its logo with the American Fox channel, incorporating an "8". The channel’s website was subsequently launched and then revamped in October 2005 to include improved previews of upcoming shows.

During the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Fox8 featured a "Battle of the Animations" marathon showcasing series such as Family Guy, American Dad!, and The Simpsons, with Family Guy ultimately winning through viewer voting. On 1 November 2008, many programs migrated to the newly established channel 111 HITS (now known as Fox Comedy).

FOX8 HD was officially launched on 15 November 2009. That same year, it broadcasted Australia's Next Top Model, which became the highest-rated non-sport subscription program in Australia. The website received another redesign in March 2010.

A comprehensive rebranding took place on 21 May 2011, featuring updated visual elements, followed by the introduction of a Program Return Graphic in October. In February 2013, Foxtel secured an exclusive output agreement with The Walt Disney Company, bringing popular ABC Family series such as Bunheads, Switched at Birth, and The Fosters to the channel.

In October 2013, Fox8 adopted the tagline TV for the Now Gen, replacing its previous slogan So Fox8. On 12 December 2022, Fox8 announced it would cease broadcasting all adult animation from Fox, including The Simpsons, encouraging audiences to access these shows via Disney+, which holds streaming rights. A concluding marathon of The Simpsons aired throughout December.

On 28 September 2023, coinciding with Foxtel’s rebranding initiative that removed the FOX prefix from channels like FOX Arena (now simply Arena), Fox8 refreshed its logo design.

In September 2024, Fox8 adjusted its programming lineup by discontinuing live WWE broadcasts to prioritize entertainment-focused content and prepare for WWE shows transitioning exclusively to Netflix. However, one-hour episodes of WWE NXT along with classic WWF Superstars will continue airing until December 2024.

Programming

As of January 2025, Fox8's lineup consists of a combination of imported shows from the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, complemented by a small selection of original productions.

Original content

  • The Last Year of...

Acquired series

Original productions

Previously acquired shows

See also

  • [[]]Television in Australia
Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=Fox8&oldid=53508"