Netflix Coming to UK

philip2009 · 10 Oct 2011 at 21:53

This is a big one, and I must say I’m happy to be able to report it. It’s something I’ve been waiting for these last few years.

I have learned, from a watertight source, that Netflix have started work on their UK launch and have gone so far as to prep TV commercials. The big announcement could well be imminent as the TV ads will be nearing completion and could be rolled out very soon.

The nearest to Netflix we already have in the UK is Lovefilm, which offers a far smaller selection than US Netflix customers are used to and at a higher (but still very seductive) price. I’ll be curious to see if Netflix start at a similar level to Lovefilm, or just leap over that to offer a catalogue as rich as their US service. That’s down to their licensing agreements, of course, but I imagine they’ve got the muscle to make some great deals, particularly in this marketplace.

Licensors had reported speaking to Netflix back in the Summer, and it was anticipated that an eventual launch was becoming more and more inevitable.

I’ll also be interested to see if Netflix UK offer a one-price-for-all joint disc and streaming service, as has recently been snuffed out in the US. That would be an interesting twist of the knife.

Incidentally, the UK advertising campaign for Netflix uses video from the US, but has been re-voiced with UK accents.

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/10/10/scoop-netflix-getting-ready-for-uk-launch/

Interesting news, Netflix instant accounts for 20 percent of all non-mobile internet use during prime time in the United States.

nands · 10 Oct 2011 at 22:00

Interesting, will keep an eye on it.

Lynx · 10 Oct 2011 at 22:21

I guess more competition to Lovefilm can't heard. Everyone over US goes mad about Netflix and how much Internet traffic it takes up, so it must be somewhat decent!

qqg3 · 10 Oct 2011 at 22:30

Awesome news!

Netflix is so much better than Lovefilm in every way possible, will keep an ear out for this.

Brumboy · 10 Oct 2011 at 22:34

Does this have all the latest films or does it just have B list films?

qqg3 · 10 Oct 2011 at 23:21

Rossuk89 said:
Does this have all the latest films or does it just have B list films?

Who knows how they'll launch it. But the catalog in the US is very up to date with lots of the newer stuff, even more so available for instant streaming which is why I liked it.

Glaucus · 10 Oct 2011 at 23:22

Can't wait, was thinking of signing unto the us one. But if it's imenent not much point.

philip2009 · 10 Oct 2011 at 23:27

AcidHell2 said:
Can't wait, was thinking of signing unto the us one. But if it's imenent not much point.

You probably won't be able to use the US version unless you have a US card. I've seen blog posts suggesting otherwise but Netflix wouldn't accept my card even though I was using a US proxy.

JBod · 10 Oct 2011 at 23:46

What is it like compared to Blinkbox?

Kurisu Makise · 11 Oct 2011 at 00:11

bout time we got netflix

Nymins · 11 Oct 2011 at 00:12

Hopefully they also add the same HD streaming to the Xbox here like they have in the US.

qqg3 · 11 Oct 2011 at 00:51

Edrof · 11 Oct 2011 at 07:32

I've got quite the back-catalogue of Universal films that I can't get on LF, so looking forward to it!

Darklord2150 · 11 Oct 2011 at 09:55

Yay, I've been looking forward to this for some time.

Kutter · 11 Oct 2011 at 17:06

Ive got netflix and its great, only have the streaming one though.

Glaucus · 11 Oct 2011 at 17:08

I just hope we get huge choice. I really want to get to a point where tv is useless. And spend all that money (license and subscriptions) on a smaller selection. But a selection I want to watch at a time I want to watch. Combine that with Iplayer and the other catch up services.

Nexus · 11 Oct 2011 at 19:10

Netflix might be huge in the US, but they are far too late to the table in the UK, especially now that Amazon owns LoveFilm.

The other huge advantage Netflix used to have with the US markets was that it was available on Consoles, while the UK didn't have such a service. That's changed now that LoveFilm is on PS3 and as of next month Xbox too.

Competition is always a good thing, and it might perhaps spur Lovefilm to resolve the issue with Universal, which no doubt could be done if they gave them more profit share.

But it's an uphill battle for Netflix to establish themselves here, as Lovefilm is very well in the public domain, where as most people have never heard of Netflix. They need to provide some very good reasoning to switch.

Its_Me · 11 Oct 2011 at 19:25

AcidHell2 said:
I just hope we get huge choice. I really want to get to a point where tv is useless. And spend all that money (license and subscriptions) on a smaller selection. But a selection I want to watch at a time I want to watch. Combine that with Iplayer and the other catch up services.

You would still require a TV license for this use.

[Edit]

Actually just re-read how you implied your post and I now presume you would not watch live items on iplayer, so your well within your right to cancel your TV license, although I am not sure if you still need one if you own a TV or other TV broadcast receiving items.

[edit2]

Think your onto something here !!
This definitely is very interesting and could also suit many people.
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/about/foi-legal-framework-AB16/

.......If you own or possess a television set without installing or using it as a TV receiver (e.g. you only use it to watch videos or DVDs, or as a monitor for a games console) then you don’t need a TV Licence.

That in itself means you can be setup for TV for free so long as its a delayed streamed service.

Glaucus · 11 Oct 2011 at 20:14

Yep your edits are correct, no tv license required. Owned equipment doesn't come into it. The only thing that matters is watching or recording live broadcasts that if I could get a decent on-demand service. I wouldn't need live tv. The only thing that would screw me is f1.

Its_Me · 11 Oct 2011 at 23:14

I wonder what happens if you watch a delayed transmission as such, i.e couple of hundred buffered seconds - you think that would navigate from the watching live rules?