Game of Thrones - I'm Feeling The Fomo and Plan to Subscribe to Foxtel Now

chriise on 13/04/2019 - 22:48

Given it's been two years since the end of Season 7 I wasn't feeling all too bothered about waiting for a DVD/digital release. But with Season 8 airing Monday the hype is setting back in and I don't want to miss out!

If you don't already have Foxtel, I believe Foxtel Now is the simplest way to watch - 10 day free trial and $25/month for the Pop Pack which includes HBO shows. No lock-in contract, so I figured starting the trial tomorrow and cancelling after the final episode on May 20th would mean only shelling out one month at $25.

HBO's streaming service is around $20 AUD and would need to use a VPN (if it worked at all), so seemed like a lot of hassle given it's similar price point.

Who else is excited for the final season? Any other Ozbargain ways to watch?!

.

I plan on going through these season re-caps to prepare, in case it helps others:

Poll Options

  • 10
    Will be watching on Foxtel
  • 10
    Signed up to Foxtel Now for GoT
  • 118
    Torrents!
  • 31
    Game of Thrones..?
Entertainment HBO TV Series

Comments

  • spackbace on 13/04/2019 - 23:01
    +4

    Who else is excited for the final season? Any other Ozbargain ways to watch?!

    Yep but can't be talked about on here 😉 but it's a poll option

    I got through to about season 4 I think and got kinda over it tbh

    • chriise on 13/04/2019 - 23:04

      because spoilers, or ozb hate?

      edit: i understand your comment now

  • Axelstrife on 13/04/2019 - 23:20
    +10

    "I believe Foxtel Now is the simplest way to watch"

    Nope.
    Sonarr + Plex got me covered.
    I literally just turn my TV on and watch it after it's aired no selling my soul to Foxtel and no getting my card out to hand them my info.

    • fishball on 13/04/2019 - 23:27
      +4

      If the same thing happens as last season/year then you'll be able to watch it while the foxtel servers melt down from overload lmao

      • Axelstrife on 13/04/2019 - 23:28
        +1

        Last Season of a show this big, they will literally catch fire.

    • chriise on 13/04/2019 - 23:29

      I've not looked into Sonarr before. Do you use public or private trackers?

      • Axelstrife on 13/04/2019 - 23:35
        +1

        Usenet and torrents mainly RARGB
        it goes for Usenet first though.

        Couldn't be bothered keeping a ratio with private trackers.

        • chriise on 13/04/2019 - 23:39

          Does it automatically pick up new releases from RARGB? Do you have to set specific uploaders etc.?

          • Axelstrife on 14/04/2019 - 00:02
            -1

            @chriise: it grabs them from whatever you have setup.
            and you can if you want. i have mine set up only download AMAZN and netflix releases so there good quality.

        • dogboy on 15/04/2019 - 09:45
          +1

          For those searching, it is RARBG, not RARGB.

    • bert-lifts on 15/04/2019 - 08:08

      My exact setup too. I don't want to support Foxtel nor do I have faith in there servers to handle the influx of traffic. I can almost guarantee there's going to be issues today.

    • Zazer on 15/04/2019 - 10:44

      PM more details please?

      • SnowDragon on 15/04/2019 - 13:22

        Basically sonarr constantly searches for torrents and if they meet OP's criteria it will download it.
        Then Plex would pick up a change in his library folders and add it to his Plex library.

        He can then open Plex and stream the show from his server/computer to his tv/smart box/whatever else runs plex.

        • chriise on 15/04/2019 - 14:33
          +2

          Do people run a dedicated server for this or just leave their PC running all the time? I wonder if this could be a good use of that Raspberry Pi I got from ozbargain about a year ago

          • SnowDragon on 15/04/2019 - 14:54

            @chriise: Both.

            My computer is usually always on so I have it do it for me. But I don't watch that many shows/movies so having it ad-hoc is fine.

            The pi should be fine to do it. Looks like there are a few guides out there. Just set aside a few hours to tinker around.

        • angilinwago on 19/04/2019 - 21:35

          why not just hook up the computer directly to the tv via hdmi?

  • netjock on 13/04/2019 - 23:20
    +1

    OzBargain way to watch is to have GoT night and everyone bring something that is definitely on discount. Those who can't show a receipt with savings will be asked to leave!

  • Godric on 13/04/2019 - 23:33
    +3

    foxtel, hahahaha

    • chriise on 13/04/2019 - 23:36

      I promise, it pains me greatly… That's why I'm checking in here to see if there were any alternatives I was overlooking.

      • crentist on 14/04/2019 - 02:41
        +18

        The immorality of piracy is balanced by the immorality of giving money to foxtel.
        dl it

    • Donaldhump on 14/04/2019 - 08:31

      national call centre now south africa

  • epicttiimm on 14/04/2019 - 01:52
    +4

    Sign up for Foxtel Now 10 day trial (1st 2 episodes), use VPN to sign up for HBO Now 30 day trial (last 4 episodes). Free and legal (although I will be torrenting them as well lol)

    • Dundundunnnn on 14/04/2019 - 19:20

      Only 7 day free trial?

    • jimbobaus on 14/04/2019 - 22:47

      HBO Now is 7 Days not 30

  • WreckTangle on 14/04/2019 - 08:48

    Already have Foxtel Now… is that poll option 1?

  • captaincabinets on 14/04/2019 - 09:33
    +3

    Thanks for the recap links, very handy

  • Worf on 14/04/2019 - 18:12
    -1

    Does this mean they are going to drip feed an episode each week (as opposed to releasing all episodes at once - Netflix style)?

    • Mistymoo on 14/04/2019 - 20:08
      +2

      Of course they are. They haven't released the entire season all at once ever.

      • Worf on 15/04/2019 - 02:14

        Dammit. Well I guess I need to come up with another plan for my Good Friday public holiday :(

  • Mr Frodo on 14/04/2019 - 20:07

    Can you to stream to two devices simultaneously on Foxtel Now?

  • oz-stef on 14/04/2019 - 21:56

    Thanks for the recaps links, having just grudgingly signed up for Foxtel Now there are also some recaps I see in the Foxtel Now app might be worth checking out also…

    • chriise on 15/04/2019 - 00:12

      Let me know if they're worth watching. I've just crammed 3 hours of YouTube recaps in this evening!

      • oz-stef on 15/04/2019 - 12:02
        +1

        Nope, they weren’t the 3 hour recaps covered it all ;)

  • jimbobaus on 14/04/2019 - 22:46
    +3

    People want quality TV to be made.. yet unwilling to pay for it.
    Hmmmm…..

    • Axelstrife on 14/04/2019 - 23:21
      +1

      Foxtel

      Case Closed

      • jimbobaus on 14/04/2019 - 23:37
        +4

        Nope, Not at all
        yeah Foxtel sucks but they are the ones paying for the rights to screen it, money that goes directly to HBO.
        People who complain that they need to pay for foxtel sound like entitled children, at the end of the day if you want quality programming to be made then you should pay for it, even if you dislike who you need to pay for access.

        • Axelstrife on 14/04/2019 - 23:57
          +2

          "but they are the ones paying for the rights to screen it"

          You really don't see the issue do you? Should of gone to specsavers.

          Just look at Season 7 PAYING customers could not watch what they are PAYING for cause foxtel couldn't handle the influx in site traffic.

          Exclusivity is just bad for customers in every way.

          Im not arguing that people shouldn't pay, im arguing that people shouldn't be forced into sighing up to a streaming service to watch ONE show especially after the disaster that was season 7 of a show on a streaming service.

          • jimbobaus on 15/04/2019 - 00:58
            -3

            @Axelstrife: I had ZERO issues streaming season 7 at all.
            Tech issues happen all the time, they get fixed (as they were in the second week)
            for the record HBO themselves had issues with streaming when S7 dropped and they also fixed it.

            the reality is they paid for the right to screen it in Aus, Foxtel may suck but that's how it is.
            As said in this thread, Foxtel has made GoT available on their cheapest package so they are doing everything they can to make it accessible but the "(profanity) Foxtel" people come out of the woodwork especially around GoT time.

            the fact remains, if you want quality TV to continue being made then you need to pay for it

            • Axelstrife on 15/04/2019 - 03:20

              @jimbobaus: Im "FK Foxtel" 24/7/365

            • knoxy1001 on 17/04/2019 - 07:37
              +1

              @jimbobaus: I never had an issue with season 7 either. I pay for Foxtel now, its their cheapest package and I haven't had an issue. streaming around 6:30/7pm the same day it's released.

              • jimbobaus on 17/04/2019 - 08:24

                @knoxy1001: Rumour has it Foxtel plans to launch an entertainment product similar to kayo later this year. That should at least be a more viable option for those wanting to watch the got spin off that hbo is making.

        • chriise on 15/04/2019 - 00:10
          +1

          On the contrary I would absolutely pay for a type of streaming pass for this show. I don't like having to pay for a bunch of other crap in order to "add-on" the content that I actually want.

          That's why I'm ok with Foxtel Now on this occasion as GoT is included in the base package.

    • Mosher on 15/04/2019 - 08:09
      +1

      I am prepared to pay for quality tv but but not prepared to pay a subpar provider like foxtel to watch it

      I'll be downloading it and the prchasing the season when it gets released on blu ray (like I did with the other seasons)

    • dogboy on 15/04/2019 - 09:47
      +3

      I think if HBO offered their services to us, we would all be happy to pay. Just not willing to pay for ridiculous pricing Foxtel.

  • ego22 on 14/04/2019 - 23:28

    When does it actually start again?

    • chriise on 15/04/2019 - 00:07

      I think it airs around 11am Monday morning

  • dealcrown on 15/04/2019 - 08:08

    Am I the only one missing something here, but how about good old fasioned downloading the torrent? Thats what I will be doing…

  • T1OOO on 15/04/2019 - 08:17

    I gots foxtel but still will torrent it.

    • bert-lifts on 15/04/2019 - 08:21

      Probably a safe bet. Almost certain Foxtel servers are going to catch fire, especially tonight. Good luck to anyone relying on them lol.

      • Nads2407 on 15/04/2019 - 09:04

        tonight? it airs in 2 hours on foxtel

        • bert-lifts on 15/04/2019 - 09:49

          Most people will be trying to stream it tonight…. after work etc. That's when most of the load will occur.

  • OneIdiot on 15/04/2019 - 09:31

    If you have a VPN, sign up for HOTSTAR for $6/month with 3 day trial.

    • smileyface on 15/04/2019 - 11:17

      How do I do the Phone thing, when it asks for a +91 number?

      • OneIdiot on 16/04/2019 - 19:34

        Yes. That's a catch I didn't anticipate.

        I have a friend working in Bangalore so, got the number thing sorted last year. Completely forgot it was required now.

    • dasher86 on 15/04/2019 - 11:38

      need india sim card for verification =(

      • smileyface on 15/04/2019 - 12:12

        In Soviet India, Thrones Game You!

  • [Deactivated] on 15/04/2019 - 11:45
    +6

    Torrent now, and buy the DVDs when they become available = morally-justifiable time-shifting.

  • oz-stef on 15/04/2019 - 12:25

    That went without a single hitch, Foxtel delivered GoT perfectly for me +100

    -100 on the 6 minutes of advertising before it started from ~10:58 to 11:04, I did not know pay tv had ads!

  • oz-stef on 15/04/2019 - 12:40

    Looks like the AMZN torrents went up 720p at 11:12am, 1080p at ~11:15am another group (memento) released around the same time but had to issue repacks at ~11:35am

    That's pretty quick, even for the repacks to be released, anyone who did torrent, how long did it take before you got a download slot and how long did it take for the torrent to finish?

    • SnowDragon on 15/04/2019 - 13:23
      +1

      Took 45 mins or so off my 4g. Ratio of 1.6 overall. 1.4GB file - 720p AMZN.

      Just uncap your upload and it'll finish within the hour.

      • Zazer on 16/04/2019 - 21:09

        How do you do this? Never done it myself. Would you be able to PM me some more info please?

  • Furious D on 15/04/2019 - 22:43

    Watched this on the showcase channel on foxtel now as it aired at 10.30 in the morning - not a blip in sight.

    If you like certain content, and you have the means to support the creator, you should. It's worked perfectly since the season 7 premiere.

  • Half Price Hunter on 16/04/2019 - 07:12
    +1

    I'm torrenting - largely because Foxtel Now is twice the price of Netflix and Stan AND they still put advertising in like we're all back in 1997 watching CRT TVs. Why would anyone put up with advertising during a PAID service? If you're paying, then you shouldn't have to put up with the ads - Netflix and Stan somehow achieve it. I also purchase the entire season after it's finished, so HBO isn't missing out on funding.

    • chriise on 16/04/2019 - 08:56
      +1

      For what it's worth I signed up for Foxtel now last night and watched GoT with no issues and no ads. But yes, I can't understand why anyone would pay permanently for this service, it's far too expensive.

  • sim36 on 01/05/2019 - 11:45

    For what it's worth I signed up for Foxtel now last night and watched GoT with 12 buffering "Loading breaks" and what seemed to be standard definition. But yes, I can't understand why anyone would pay permanently for this service, considering the quality of streaming service it's far too flaky and expensive. I also have Netflix and Stan and Ultimate Cable - Netflix is bulletproof for HD and no buffering (a quality streaming service), Stan on HD delivery is great but does buffer 3 or 4 time in an hours viewing.

    • chriise on 01/05/2019 - 19:11

      That's a shame. I haven't had any problem with the steam quality so far. But still won't keep it!

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