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Netflix announces expansion into UK and Ireland

by Parm Mann on 24 October 2011, 09:52

Tags: Netflix

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American on-demand media service Netflix has today announced plans to launch in the UK and Ireland "in early 2012".

The subscription-based service will allow British and Irish consumers to stream from a library of thousands of TV shows and movies for a monthly fee. Netflix hasn't yet divulged any specific pricing plans, or indeed a firm launch date, but states that further details will be announced in the coming months.

Netflix first began streaming content to US customers in 2007, and has since become an American phenomenon. The company now serves over 20 million subscribers, and according to a 2011 survey, accounts for almost a quarter of all North American web traffic.

Part of the company's success involves support for a wide range of devices and ecosystems. At present, US consumers can stream content to a variety of multimedia devices including games consoles, set-top media receivers, Blu-ray players, mobile phones, tablets and personal computers.

However, despite a quick rise to popularity, the company has struggled to maintain its momentum in 2011; a year in which a number of management decisions - including a price hike and plans to split the company in two (a plan since withdrawn) - have discouraged both customers and investors alike. In the past six months, Netflix shares have plummeted from nearly $300 in July to just over $100 in October, and the company will be hoping a UK expansion brings about a reversal of fortune.



HEXUS Forums :: 9 Comments

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Given the monopoly sky seems to have of the media consumption industry, netflix could do quite well if they come in at the right price with a good library of films and TV shows, especially if they are available before they are aired on sky.
Biscuit
Given the monopoly sky seems to have of the media consumption industry, netflix could do quite well if they come in at the right price with a good library of films and TV shows, especially if they are available before they are aired on sky.
+1, especially if the folks in Virgin are smart enough to try doing a deal with them. Would mean (potentially?) more choice for the consumer and VM have some negotiating room.
There is no chance netflix will have shows before sky as sky pay huge sums to the US studios/networks have first run rights in the UK.
Netflix will have to outbid sky for UK rights and I highly doubt they could recoup their costs.
Don't forget, most big US shows are on their main FTA networks, their versions of bbc itv etc… and so licensing costs for domestic streaming will be more viable.
they have run rights for broadcast but does that translate to streaming?
Given the fact Netflix are already cosy with all the US networks/Film studios this could help them with any potential UK deals. They must know there main target audience will be those looking for US television and films before Sky.

Would love them to do some kind of sports deal but Sky and ESPN have that locked up nice and tight.