Kayo Chief Defends Price Hikes, Declares Service “Best in the World” Amidst Subscriber Frustration
Foxtel chief executive Patrick Delany has robustly defended recent price increases for the popular sports streaming service, Kayo, asserting its position as the “best streamer in the world.” This defence comes as subscribers have voiced growing discontent online regarding both the rising costs and reported technological glitches experienced on the platform.
Delany, in an interview, acknowledged the public’s unhappiness but suggested that many technical issues may stem from individual household internet setups rather than widespread problems with Kayo’s infrastructure. He explained that the demands of streaming high-definition live sport, particularly in 4K, combined with typical household internet usage – such as children using computers or other devices – can stretch a home’s bandwidth to its limits.
“Most of the issues end up being inside a consumer’s home,” Delany stated, adding that there’s “no coincidence” when streaming 4K sport occurs simultaneously with other high-bandwidth activities within a household. He clarified that while Kayo isn’t “perfect,” he believes the service is “pretty good” and urged users to “check out their home set-ups.” He elaborated that a strong home Wi-Fi signal doesn’t always guarantee sufficient broadband capacity, especially with modern households’ significant data consumption.
The premium tier of Kayo recently saw a price jump from $40 to $45.99 per month, a move attributed by Foxtel to the substantial investments made in securing rights for a wide array of major sporting events. The standard subscription price remains unchanged at $29.99 per month. A premium subscription offers the advantage of simultaneous streaming on two devices and access to content in 4K resolution. It’s worth noting that a $5 increase was also applied to both Kayo Sports’ standard and premium packages earlier in 2025.
Delany highlighted Kayo’s extensive offering, boasting “50 sports live,” a claim he asserts no other platform globally can match. He emphasised the cost associated with securing top-tier rights for popular Australian sports like AFL, NRL, cricket, and motorsports, while maintaining that Kayo provides “great value” and has kept its “baseline price pretty low.” Industry sources, speaking anonymously, indicated that Foxtel contributes approximately 70 per cent of the broadcast rights fees for these sports, underscoring the significant financial commitment involved.
AFL Broadcasting Habits and Potential Schedule Changes
Delany also touched upon evolving viewing habits, particularly concerning the AFL. He suggested that fans have adapted to new viewing patterns, such as Saturday matches being behind a paywall, a shift that saw some games in Victoria broadcast on delay through Seven and 7plus for non-Victorian teams during the initial rounds of the season. He believes this exclusivity, especially for Melbourne-based fans with Saturday games becoming a full-season exclusive, will become “very popular this year.”
The AFL has been proactive in adjusting its schedule to accommodate broadcasters, introducing initiatives like the return of the State of Origin and a new wildcard round, alongside an expanded 10-team finals series. Delany indicated an openness to further schedule flexibility, even suggesting the possibility of live matches being broadcast from Monday to Wednesday, a format trialled during the pandemic.
“We would like sport on every night,” Delany commented, seeing it as a way to further enhance the value proposition for subscribers. He acknowledged the need to strike a balance between fan convenience and broadcast requirements, but stated that discussions regarding Monday-to-Wednesday matches haven’t yet taken place with the AFL. He noted that while Sunday-night games previously struggled, they now rival the popularity of Thursday- and Friday-night fixtures, indicating a shift in audience engagement.
Weddle Commits to Hawks for Four More Years, Midfield Confidence High
In a significant development for the Hawthorn Football Club, emerging star Josh Weddle has inked a four-year contract extension. This new deal is reportedly set to earn him close to $900,000 per season starting next year. The commitment comes amidst some external scepticism regarding the Hawks’ midfield strength, particularly following the injury to Will Day and the club’s unsuccessful pursuit of Essendon’s Zach Merrett.
However, Weddle, who has expressed a desire to eventually transition into a midfield role, sees the doubters as a source of motivation for the playing group. “We get a little bit of stick [from people] who think our weakest area of the ground is the midfield,” Weddle said. “I think we will prove people wrong and be very strong in there.”
The 21-year-old’s decision to re-sign was confirmed on Wednesday, following a substantial offer from Essendon that reportedly included a seven-year deal worth approximately $10 million. Weddle, who will become a free agent upon the expiry of his next contract, has made a notable impact since his 2023 debut, featuring in 60 matches across various positions.
While primarily deployed in defence, his impactful performance in the final quarter of last year’s elimination final, where he was moved forward against GWS, was instrumental in turning the game in Hawthorn’s favour. He expressed satisfaction with developing his versatility at this stage of his career.
Hawthorn’s football boss, Rob McCartney, lauded Weddle as a crucial component of the club’s future aspirations. “He is an important part of what we are aspiring to achieve, and we are extremely confident that his best is yet to come,” McCartney stated. He highlighted Weddle’s ability to produce game-changing moments and his adaptability, having played on the wing, in the ruck, and up forward, in addition to his defensive role.
Weddle has been trialled in the midfield and on the wing, but his development is expected to continue from defence, where his powerful runs and strength make him a formidable opponent. Despite missing eight matches in 2025 and not finishing in the top 10 of the club’s best and fairest, he is recognised as a match-winner with considerable potential.
Weddle was a sought-after prospect in the 2022 national draft, with Hawthorn trading picks to secure him ahead of rival clubs. His signature before the season commences is viewed as a significant boost for the club as they aim for a strong premiership tilt after their preliminary final loss to Geelong last season. With a solid defence and a promising group of young talent, the Hawks are expected to be contenders again this September. Triple premiership captain Luke Hodge suggested that the midfield gaps present an excellent opportunity for players like Cam McKenzie and Josh Ward to step up and fill the void, noting that injuries often create pathways for unexpected players to forge significant careers.
