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Netflix bags another exclusive for UK launch

by Steven Williamson on 14 November 2011, 11:18

Tags: Netflix

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When Netflix, the popular US subscription-based streaming service, arrives in the UK and Ireland in January 2012 it will include exclusive offerings from Lionsgate films.

The partnership between the companies means that Netflix launches with a number of Lionsgate movies, including Reservoir Dogs, Blair Witch Project and 3:10 to Yuma. Upcoming films, such as The Expendables 2, will also be available on the streaming service within a year after they launch on the cinema.

Earlier this month, Netflix also confirmed it had signed up in a multi-year licensing agreement with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (MGM) that will see movies from its back catalogue, including The Usual Suspects and Capote, arrive on launch day, as well as future titles (some available exclusively to Netflix members) being made available through its service.



Netflix, which supports a number of devices including game’s consoles, iOs systems and connected TVs, has been available in the US since 2007, and claims to have over 25 million members. Last month, however, it reported that 800,000 customers had left the service in the last quarter as stock prices plummeted by 25 per cent.

It’s going to be interesting to see how Netflix will fare against its major UK competition LOVEFiLM, who claims to have 1.5 million British-based subscribers. Should LOVEFiLM be worried about the exclusive deals Netflix has with MGM and Lionsgate?


HEXUS Forums :: 2 Comments

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Looking forward to their launch tbh - Love film are expensive and have appalling customer service (in addition to some very dodgy sales techniques) - if Netflix really do launch the same service in the UK as they run the USA, then we're in for a treat :) It does of course depend on them launching the same services on the same platforms..but from what I hear they are going to do just that..fingers crossed :)
Spud1
Looking forward to their launch tbh - Love film are expensive and have appalling customer service (in addition to some very dodgy sales techniques) - if Netflix really do launch the same service in the UK as they run the USA, then we're in for a treat :) It does of course depend on them launching the same services on the same platforms..but from what I hear they are going to do just that..fingers crossed :)
Nice to know I'm not the only one - Lovefilm always struck me as using the same sales techniques as double glazing companies, and those well dodgy “had an accident? then you need to claim!” ones.

Would have thought it would have made sense for Netflix to launch the same service this side of the “pond”. Of course, they'll have to adjust the customer service levels down to that which we've come to expect in the UK (cancel cynic mode)

The article identifies Lovefilm as being the most likely victim of Netflix, but I can't help wondering if - assuming the pricing is competitive - whether they might also steal some trade from Sky Anytime(+) and Virgin's FilmFlex services. I've got the latter, and increasingly I'm finding that the new films are priced at around the same level as going to see it in the local Odeon - in fact, in some cases they're more expensive, (okay, it's cheaper if the whole family is seeing it of course - because you're effectively paying the one-person price).

In which case, are Sky, BT, VM going to start blocking Netflix - or imposing “traffic management” on them?