Hubbl vs Fetch

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Fetch Unveils Modernised User Experience, Set To Redefine Home Entertainment (31/03/2025)
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With Telstra announcing the end of the Telstra TV on 31st October 2024 and purchasing a majority stake in the successor, Fetch TV, I wanted to see what else is on offer in the Australian market that offers both free-to-air (FTA) and streaming apps. In 2024 Hubbl from Streamotion and Foxel was introduced. Is this where Telstra TV avid users will go or will they default to Fetch TV. I wanted to take a look at both and compare with the Telstra TV puck to assist others making a choice.

For comparisons I've used/using the following set-top boxes (pucks):

Fetch Mini 4K (Model H671T) (Owned: Telstra (51.4%), Astro Malaysia Holdings (48.6%))
Hubbl (Model IP061-05-FXTL) (Foxtel Owned: News Corp (65%), Telstra (35%))
Telstra TV (Model TTV3 4701TL) (Telstra Owned (100%))

I also own a Google Chromecast and Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K but have not included these in the comparison due to lack of FTA functionality. I have previously owned Foxtel IQ2 and IQ3 boxes, and older Telstra TV boxes.

Reviewing and comparing the 3 set-top boxes (or pucks) available in Australia from Fetch, Hubbl, and Telstra that offer aerial connection for Australian free-to-air (FTA) TV and WiFi/ethernet connection for streaming apps. We don't need to upgrade our TV every few years, just get the set-top-box that works for you.

My main items of interest in a puck/set-top-box/media streaming device are:

Small and portable to take on holidays.
Aerial connection with free-to-air (FTA) channels.
Electronic Program Guide (EPG) - Easily accessible.
All the most popular streaming and on-demand apps.
Remote - Small, useful buttons, that also controls the TV and Soundbar.
Interface that is simple and smart, gives recommended content from all apps or live TV.

Fetch TV launched in July 2010 and as of August 2022 is majority owned by Telstra.

Hubbl launched in March 2024 and is owned by Streamotion and therefore Foxtel.

Telstra TV launched in 2015 in partnership with Roku. The 3rd generation launched 2019 and is to be decommissioned in 2024 with a move of buying a majority stake in Fetch TV and pushing this device forward.

Hubbl Pros and Cons

What's to like

Interface: The interface on the Hubbl looks vibrant and modern.
Stack and Save: Can bundle apps and save upto $15/mth.
Lifestyle app only available on the Hubbl.

What's not to like

Search: No search button on remote, rely on holding the mic button on the remote and asking for "TV Guide" or going to the home screen and scrolling down to TV guide.
Remote: Remote doesn't link to TV or Speakers.
Apps: No Parmount+, BritBox, Acorn.
Stack and Save: Stack & save is only for limited apps.
Not integrated with Telstra Plus points and a movie store.

Compare Home Screens

The Fetch TV home screen I find the hardest to get used to as I'm far too familiar with browsing vertically down a list. In the Fetch interface you need to browse to a category horizontally and then the results appear below the menu. I still find it hard to navigate and find what I'm interested in with no homescreen recommendations for watching. When turning the device on it annoyingly goes to the last selected channel, same when browsing the channel is playing in the background, and there seems to be no real "home" screen. Options in Menu are: Search, My Stuff, Guide, Shows, Movies, Apps, Sport, Add More, Settings. When in the Apps menu you then get further confusing options of Apps, Streaming, TV Apps, Music & More.

The Hubbl screen is very inviting and easy to use. It lacks embedding a lot more apps and FTA options in home screen.

Compare Hubs

The Fetch TV set-top box is the old square looking box, unfortunately not looking very modern and wanting to hide the device. Also, the box seems to always have lights showing on the front of the box and never seems to sleep unlike the other 2 devices.

The Hubbl TV set-top box is not bad looking and probably fits the best aesthetically.

All ports are the same in the back of the box with power, ethernet, aerial, and a HDMI port.

Compare Remotes

The Fetch TV remote gives quick access buttons to Netflix and the Apps menu but what is with the paw print for the select button. Also controlling the TV requires a 2 button step to turn on/off, surely powering box on should also power TV on. Also in bad light it is hard to see the bottons outside of the central circle buttons.

The Hubbl TV remote is very Streamotion centric with quick access buttons to Kayo, Binge, and Netflix. The remote is okay but probably oversized but has a great feature of lighting up in the dark so yu can actually see the buttons. The directional controls are way too smooth so you actually have to look at the remote to know what directional button you are pressing. Hubbl remote is also missing a TV Guide button so no wuick way of getting straight to a TV channel.

Remotes require 2 AAA batteries.

Compare Features

See how the media devices compare.

Features		Fetch	Hubbl
Free-to-Air (FTA)
Record TV		(Mighty only)
Pause and Rewind Live TV			(Select channels)
Free-to-Air Catch-Up TV	ABC iview
	SBS On Demand
	7 Plus
	9Now
	10Play
Streaming Apps	Netflix
	Prime Video
	Apple TV+
	Stan
	Disney+
	YouTube
	Paramount+
	Hayu
	Britbox
	Acorn TV
	Plex
	Binge
	Kayo
	Lifestyle
	Flash
	Foxtel Now
	Max
	Optus Sport
	Spotify
Buy and Rent the latest movies		(Inc Telstra points)
Buy popular TV shows
Multiroom access to purchases
Multiroom access to recordings
Add Premium Channel Packs
Voice Control Remote
Universal Search across all content
Download to go
Media Hub

About

A review and comparison of the Hubbl Hub vs Fetch TV.

Visit Hubbl vs Fetch vs Telstra TV YouTube Channel or email for further information. I'll try and refresh the content frequently so make sure you come back to this website or YouTube channel to get any updates.