Accessing Subscription Video on Demand: A study of disability and streaming television in Australia

Curtin University

Grant round: 2015

Grant: $26,200

Australia has recently seen a boom in subcription video on demand (VOD), however, the benefit of these “streaming wars” has not been equal across consumers. Despite great potential for accessibility, people with disabilities risk being left out of the VOD revolution in television viewing if the content and hardware to access it are not made accessible.

Researchers at Curtin University have conducted the first Australian study to examine disability access to subscription VOD services. In this four stage study, contemporary developments in Australian VOD have been evaluated against Australian broadcasting legislation, online access recommendations and international services. The report, tip sheet series and app, provide new user-centred insights from consumers with disability regarding their current and anticipated use of VOD.

Download the report here

Download:Accessing Subscription Video on Demand: A study of disability and streaming television in Australia6.17 MB

Download: Accessing Subscription Video on Demand: A study of disability and streaming television in Australia772.68 KB

The App: Accessing Video Advice

Is available for free download from the Google Play Store.

The project has produced the following tip sheets on VOD services.

Video on demand subscription services: accessibility and your consumer rights

What is a video on demand subscription service?

A video on demand subscription service provides consumers with the ability to watch videos online for a regular subscription fee, usually monthly. The term ‘videos’ can include TV shows and movies.

... Tell me more

Netflix Australia

What is Netflix Australia?

Netflix Australia is a subscription video on demand service provider that allows consumers to watch video entertainment online. Key information about this provider includes:

Netflix, the parent company of Netflix Australia, operates in over 190 countries around the...

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Stan

What is Stan?

Stan is a subscription video on demand service provider that allows consumers to watch video entertainment online. Key information about this provider includes:

Stan is owned by StreamCo, a joint venture of Nine Entertainment Co. and Fairfax Media.
Stan produces some limited or...

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Quickflix

What is Quickflix?

Quickflix is a video on demand service provider that allows consumers to watch subscription or premium streaming video entertainment online. Key information about this provider includes:

Quickflix is one of Australia’s longest established video streaming companies.
The v...

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Presto

What is Presto?

Presto is a subscription video on demand service provider that allows consumers to watch video entertainment online. Subscription options consist of just TV shows, just movies or both TV shows and movies. Key information about this provider includes:

Presto is operated as a joint venture between Foxtel and Seven West Media.
...

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Foxtel Play

What is Foxtel Play?

Foxtel Play is a subscription video on demand service provider that allows consumers to watch video entertainment online. Key information about this provider includes:

The service is operated by Foxtel, Australia’s largest pay television provider
The content is largely...

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You can also download these tip sheets in Word and PDF.