Why you should NOT Buy a Hubbl in 2026 ⭐

Hubbl Is Being Phased Out: Why You Should Think Twice Before Buying One in 2026

When Hubbl launched in 2024, it promised to revolutionise the way Australians watched television. By combining streaming services, free-to-air TV and a single search interface into one device, it looked like a compelling alternative to Apple TV, Google TV and Amazon Fire TV.

Fast forward to 2026, and the picture looks very different.

Foxtel has effectively begun winding down the Hubbl ecosystem, making it difficult to recommend to anyone looking for a new streaming device.

Hubbl Has Entered Maintenance Mode

In September 2025, Foxtel confirmed that Hubbl had entered "maintenance mode." This means the company is no longer actively developing or heavily marketing the hardware and is instead focusing on maintaining existing devices. Industry reports indicate there are no plans for future Hubbl hardware products, signalling that the platform has reached the end of its growth phase.

While existing devices continue to function, maintenance mode is generally a sign that a product has reached the end of its lifecycle.

Key Features Have Already Been Removed

One of Hubbl's biggest selling points was its ability to simplify streaming subscriptions through:

• Stack & Save discounts

• Single monthly billing for multiple streaming services

• A central place to manage subscriptions

Unfortunately, those advantages have largely disappeared.

Foxtel discontinued the popular Stack & Save discounts in late 2025, removing one of the main financial reasons to own a Hubbl device.

Even more significantly, Hubbl has also stopped supporting billing for many third-party streaming services. Customers who previously managed subscriptions such as Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max and Paramount+ through Hubbl now need to deal directly with those providers instead.

The "one bill for everything" concept that made Hubbl unique is effectively gone.

The Hardware Still Works... For Now

Current Hubbl devices haven't been switched off.

If you already own one, it should continue working for the foreseeable future, and you'll still be able to access supported streaming apps.

However, buying into a platform that is no longer being actively developed carries several risks:

• Fewer software improvements

• Limited new features

• Reduced long-term support

• Greater chance of services eventually being discontinued

When purchasing a streaming device, you're investing in an ecosystem—not just the hardware.

Better Alternatives Available

If you're shopping for a streaming device today, there are stronger long-term options available.

Apple TV 4K

Apple TV offers excellent performance, regular software updates, years of support and one of the smoothest user experiences available.

Google TV Streamer

Google's latest streaming platform integrates thousands of apps, receives regular Android TV updates and has a strong future roadmap.

Amazon Fire TV

Fire TV devices remain affordable, widely supported and continue to receive regular feature updates.

Each of these platforms has significantly larger user bases and stronger long-term manufacturer support than Hubbl.

Should You Buy a Hubbl?

For most buyers, the answer is probably not.

While discounted Hubbl devices may appear to be good value, they no longer offer the unique features that originally justified purchasing one.

With the platform now in maintenance mode and key subscription features already removed, there's little reason to invest in hardware whose future is uncertain.

If you're looking for a streaming device that will continue receiving updates and new features for years to come, Apple TV, Google TV or Amazon Fire TV are safer long-term choices.

Final Thoughts

Hubbl was an ambitious attempt to simplify streaming for Australian households, but changing market conditions and strong competition have led Foxtel to wind back its investment.

Existing owners don't necessarily need to replace their device immediately, but new buyers should carefully consider whether purchasing into a winding-down ecosystem makes sense.

For most Australians, investing in a streaming platform with an active development roadmap is likely to provide a better experience—and much greater peace of mind—in the years ahead.