Fetch is under fire from a small group of users this week after contacting owners of their older Generation 3 boxes about their options going forward to continue using Fetch. In simple terms, their oldest boxes are problematic for the company when it comes to upgrades and support, so Fetch says Pay a one-time fee, subscribe to a service, or upgrade your box.

For some it seems like another case of planned obsolescence in this world of new gadgets replacing old and the older ones becoming unusable – but the fact is this is much more complex than that.

If you’ve received this advice from Fetch about your Gen 3 device it means you’re not a paying customer, and you bought the device over five years ago, possibly eight or nine years ago.

Now of course, we all want our gadgets to work for a long time, and here’s the thing, the Fetch Gen 3 box can keep working, but it requires far more attention from the company – EFTM understands that Gen 3 devices make up a vastly disproportionate number of the company’s support tickets because in simple terms they are older slower devices being pushed to do far more complex tasks in this day of streaming and online content.

Some of the online complainants say the box is just a simple “PVR” (Personal Video Recorder), and shouldn’t need any connectivity. But the fact is Fetch is far more than that, even if you’re using a Fetch Mighty just to watch and record free-to-air, Fetch provides the Electronic Program Guide in a specific way that allows for it’s advances series recording and other features – the very things that make it such a great service.

Even if it’s just this you want to keep working, Fetch is saying just pay a nominal one off fee to keep that going.

I think it’s unlikely people appreciate just how complex the content deals and contracts Fetch has in place are and what they require of the company in terms of how the software you’re using works.

I’ve received a lot of emails about this, and my response has been simple:

The one-time fee is a GREAT option and really good of them to offer.

They could have just disabled the box full stop.

It’s a small price to pay for the service.

I’ve spoken to the team at Fetch, they don’t want to shut down the Gen 3 product, but managing the fleet of devices is a big challenge for a small company like Fetch. Most of the customers raising concerns have 8-10 year old devices, so my question is, if you’ve loved it such a long time – why not get the latest version!

The raw truth, less than 10% of Fetch users are even aware of what we’re talking about here!

Fetch is offering three options for Gen 3 device owners:

  • Option A: Keep using Fetch Gen 3 as is, by paying a one-off levy
  • Option B: Upgrade your Fetch!
  • Option C: Add a subscription

So how does that all work?

Option A – Pay a one time “Extended Service Levy” of $29.99

Gen 3 users can pay this one-time non recurring fee, on a per household basis (if you have more than one Gen 3 box) which will guarantee you another year of service at least. A year to find an alternative or get a new box.

Fetch say they will try to continue Gen 3 support beyond one year, but that will depend on a lot of factors, and I wouldn’t assume anything!

Critically, even if you do pay the fee, Gen 3 Mini will no longer work with Netflix, Paramount+, SBS On Demand and Hayo, and Gen 3 Mighty won’t support Paramount+.

Option B – Upgrade Your Fetch!

Honestly, if you’re this worked up about your device, you must love it.

So, why not upgrade?

Fetch has a bunch of deals going with discounts.

If you’re not across the range, here’s how they stack up:

All the upgrade options are outlined here.

Option C – Subscribe to a pack

The other option is to add a subscription to your service, essentially making you a paying customer so they can support you.

However, those Streaming services leaving Gen 3 listed above in Option A will still disappear, because you’ll still have an old box!!

You can just add the movie box! $3.99 a month and you’ve got movies free to watch every month, a curated list – no thinking required.

Or add some streaming channels to that for $4.99 a month in total.

Bottom line, sign up.

The upshot

Fetch is doing great things in EPG’s, Streaming, Movies and more. It’s a great service, you know that because you’re still using it and worried about losing it!

Get a new one, you won’t regret it, you’ll probably love it more.