The long-anticipated launch of streaming video subscription service Netflix into Australia has got a ‘turn-on’ date at the end of March.
One of the world’s best known services of its type – where consumers get access to a library of TV and film content for a monthly fee – had hesitated over setting up shop in Australia, but the sheer number of users using loopholes to access the American-based service appeared to swing them.
Pricing is yet to be announced, but it will likely align with similar services Stan and Foxtel’s Presto in having an entry price-point of approximately $10 a month.
Reports also indicate that Netflix have inked a deal with internet service provider iiNet which will allows users to stream Netflix without data counting. It will be available across various devices, including smart TVs, Google Chroecast and Apple TV, gaming devices from Xbox and Playstation as well as smartphones and tablets.
The library of content that will be available has not been announced either, but the American service boasts original programming such as House Of Cards, Arrested Development's fourth season, Orange Is The New Black and a host of specials and mini-series’. It is likely that the services will battle for specific catalogues from studios in the early period of Australian operation – Stan has locked in the James Bond films, for example.
Foxtel's Presto has also previously secured Netflix's Orange Is The New Black and is expected to have that exclusively for the Australian market.
The run of video streaming services launches is similar to the Australian music streaming service explosion in 2012.
