Netflix Is Now Available Around the World • Hacker News Board

Re: Netflix Is Now Available Around the World

#241

Post by icebraining » Wed, Jan 06, 2016, 9:50 PM UTC

antman wrote: post #152

Somebody should tell Netflix that the EU is a unified market by law that does not exempt any digital service. So they had to sell to all EU countries right from the start. At least the whole story with the vpns can stop. (Unless you live in Greece...) http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/buyi... ""For these types of services, and others, you have the right to buy from a service provider located in…

Read the Directive. It only prohibits Netflix from not providing service based on the nationality or place of residence of the recipient, if the service is available to the public at large in that country. It does not force you to provide a service to the whole EU.

Essentially, if you live in a country and you then travel to another EU country where Netflix is available, they can't deny you service just because you don't live there.

Re: Netflix Is Now Available Around the World

#242

Post by usaphp » Wed, Jan 06, 2016, 9:50 PM UTC

I want netflix partner with local translators who already have a lot of tv series translated in a local language, I live in US but sometimes I like watching tv series/movies in russian translation, I really want netflix to have their content available in more languages.

Re: Netflix Is Now Available Around the World

#243

Post by geoelectric » Wed, Jan 06, 2016, 9:52 PM UTC

imh wrote: post #95

geoelectric wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't approach Netflix as "I want to see this movie so I go here," so much as "I want to watch something, so I'll pick from here." I'm never lacking a choice to watch, even with fairly specific criteria in mind. If I know exactly what I want to watch (and don't get lucky enough to find it on Amazon/Netflix/Hulu) I pay for PPV. I don't expect magic for <$10/mo, especially when the going rate for a one-off viewing is…

You sure used to be able to go there for specific movies. I understand why it's not the case anymore, but I miss what it was.

I honestly don't remember a time when that was true, and I'm pretty sure I joined the service sometime near rollout.

They've had a handful of times where bigger-name movies burst in based on some deal or the other (Starz being the original big one, but there've been others since) but by and large Netflix has always been indie + back catalog as far as I've experienced it in the US.

Re: Netflix Is Now Available Around the World

#244

Post by ferongr » Wed, Jan 06, 2016, 9:52 PM UTC

Finally, I get to try Netflix, I thought. I signed up for the HD plan, I went to my playback settings, changed quality to high and decided to watch Pacific Rim.

http://i.imgur.com/LKEcMDo.png

Let's just say, it doesn't look like Netflix will be successful to convert me to streaming.

Re: Netflix Is Now Available Around the World

#245

Post by jedberg » Wed, Jan 06, 2016, 9:55 PM UTC

petke wrote: post #142

sailfast wrote: post #43

What is missing in a lot of these comments is acknowledging that Netflix may become the largest global "television" network in the world as adoption increases. They have original content lined up and control those rights, and they will continue to expand their reach with that content. Whether they add the "same" streaming content as they have purchased from other providers in the US is not the point here - the big im…

Amazon has a long way to go. As far as I can tell prime or Amazon Fire TV is only available in a few countries. I think they needs to go global quick, or they will not survive against netflix. As it is now, the internet is a rather segregated place. Many media sites are only available in the US. "This is not available in your country". I wonder if a big reason why netflix decided to make original content in the first…

The purpose of Amazon Prime Video is to get you to sign up for Prime and then order stuff on Amazon. It only makes sense for them to be where Amazon actually delivers stuff quickly via Prime.

The purpose of Netflix is to provide entertainment. It makes sense for them to be everywhere.

I doubt we'll see Amazon PV around the world anytime soon -- it doesn't make sense for them to spend on the global licensing costs since it won't boost Prime subscriptions.

Re: Netflix Is Now Available Around the World

#246

Post by kearneyandy » Wed, Jan 06, 2016, 9:57 PM UTC

jsmeaton wrote: post #182

macspoofing wrote: post #147

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>Maybe a stupid questions but what if they disrupted not just TV but also cinema? They are trying. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2 is being released simultaneously in theaters and on Netflix. Some chains complained and are refusing to show it. But honestly, I don't see it. Cinema is $10-15/person/visit, and Netflix is $10/mo for an entire library of content. Profit margins for Hollywood aren't that great - so how do…

Maybe it'll force Hollywood to pay actors far far less. Harrison Ford was paid somewhere between 10 and 25 million (probably towards the lower end of that scale). Flipping the question a little bit, how do you justify paying actors 40 million for a movie if they're being streamed online for $5 a pop? I'm of the belief that the better actors are paid far too much and that releasing cinema to streaming services will co…

For some sources on Harrison Ford

Variety claims 10 - 20 million http://variety.com/2015/film/news/harrison-ford-star-wars-pa...

Sydney Morning Herald had an article says that it would be $34 million if it breaks $1 billion gross earnings (which is likely). http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/star-wars-the-for...

Re: Netflix Is Now Available Around the World

#247

Post by edpichler » Wed, Jan 06, 2016, 9:58 PM UTC

Meanwhile, Brazilian Government is discussing how to tax Netflix (more than it already does indirectly).

Re: Netflix Is Now Available Around the World

#248

Post by distances » Wed, Jan 06, 2016, 9:59 PM UTC

usaphp wrote: post #242

I want netflix partner with local translators who already have a lot of tv series translated in a local language, I live in US but sometimes I like watching tv series/movies in russian translation, I really want netflix to have their content available in more languages.

Netflix has the translations, they are just not provided for you. For example, Germany has usually both English and German subtitles available for all content.

My best theory is that Netflix pays for certain regions, and worldwide subtitle distribution would cost more. That sounds ridiculous though when comparing to the content itself, but what other reason could there be? The simplicity of the user interface?

Re: Netflix Is Now Available Around the World

#249

Post by briandear » Wed, Jan 06, 2016, 10:01 PM UTC

macspoofing wrote: post #147

fudged71 wrote: post #130

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe a stupid questions but what if they disrupted not just TV but also cinema? I assume that the distribution of films around the world is more limited than we think. At some point when Netflix has a much larger subscriber base, it may make more sense for films to be released directly to Netflix for global consumption. They could even be clever about it and have it only open for "live showings" at specific hours or…

>Maybe a stupid questions but what if they disrupted not just TV but also cinema? They are trying. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2 is being released simultaneously in theaters and on Netflix. Some chains complained and are refusing to show it. But honestly, I don't see it. Cinema is $10-15/person/visit, and Netflix is $10/mo for an entire library of content. Profit margins for Hollywood aren't that great - so how do…

The margins in Hollywood are actually really great. It's the accounting that makes them seem like a break even business. Less 'profit' means fewer points that have to be paid out from net.

A $200 million film that grosses a billion worldwide.. Those margins aren't bad.

Re: Netflix Is Now Available Around the World

#250

Post by stcredzero » Wed, Jan 06, 2016, 10:03 PM UTC

jsmeaton wrote: post #218

munificent wrote: post #206

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Flipping the question a little bit, how do you justify paying actors 40 million for a movie if they're being streamed online for $5 a pop? This is basic supply and demand. Harrison Ford has a monopoly on Harrison Ford, so if you want Harrison Ford, you have to pay what Harrison Ford wants for it.

Exactly, supply and demand. He demanded what the studio could afford to pay. If the movie is no longer generating so much revenue (because streaming) then actors will no longer be able to (successfully) demand 8 figure payments. I think some of the low to medium budget movies will make the transition to simultaneous streaming releases where it may be easier to recoup money early on. This may or may not force a simila…

If the movie is no longer generating so much revenue (because streaming) then actors will no longer be able to (successfully) demand 8 figure payments.

Pretty much what happened to authors of novels.