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Netflix Is Now Available Around the World

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Re: Netflix Is Now Available Around the World

#471

Post by lorenzhs »

matthewrudy wrote: post #314
atonse wrote: post #5

This is awesome news. Now if only BBC's iPlayer would become global and allow us non-brits to pay for it (effectively subsidizing the TV license maybe?), that would be heaven.

Until recently I could watch it using my VPN from Hong Kong, but recently they've been blocking access from VPNs. I should set up my own VPN again, instead of using paid for services. Edit: I can't decide if that's a good or bad thing, given I've never paid for a UK TV licence, but for official purposes I still live at my parents' house, who do pay.

You could spin up a DigitalOcean droplet in the London region around once a week and use youtube-dl to download the bits you're interested in. Cost would be like $0.10 per month. You could even make a script that sets up an OpenVPN droplet and automatically tears it down, would still be very very cheap.

Re: Netflix Is Now Available Around the World

#472

Post by appleflaxen »

ipsin wrote: post #382
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.

What you're saying is true, but it's also interesting to me that studios could potentially get by with less. Young Harrison Ford in the late 1970s might have been willing to trade away the use of his likeness in future Star Wars films for a relatively small consideration. In the future, if a studio can find a relatively unknown actor who wants the work, it's possible they could do with a digitally-produced likeness,…

SNL?

Re: Netflix Is Now Available Around the World

#473

Post by gambiting »

lorenzhs wrote: post #468
jsmeaton wrote: post #182

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

Wow, $43 (or even $23) is crazy. I just checked, in my city (in Germany) Star Wars costs 13€ (AU$20), and that's the English version in 3D with shutter glasses. "Normal" movies (no 3D, no excess length) are 7-8€ (AU$11-12.50). That's like... half of what you pay. Is Australia generally that expensive? :O

Just checked in Poland, and 3D version in English(with subtitles) is 25PLN per regular ticket, so around ~6.2USD. IMAX version is 28PLN so about 7USD.

Re: Netflix Is Now Available Around the World

#474

Post by didsomeonesay »

te0006 wrote: post #445
dasil003 wrote: post #394

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you mean they literally don't make the English subs available? Even for the stuff they produced? A clunky UX is one thing, but if they legitimately restrict the sub availability where the rights are available then I'm a bit shocked.

I'm not the one you asked the question but yes, that's what they do and it is a really dumb decision. I'm German and for perfecting my passive(i.e. understanding while listening) English language skills, I really like to view movies in English _and with English subtitles_. But in Germany, Netflix only offers German subtitles when the audio is set to English. Anyone got a contact at Netflix whom to approach with this?…

I am bothered by this too and from two friends I got these tipps (not tried it yet): One is using full VPN solution (US-based I think) and the other is just using a Canada-based DNS server.

BTW the problem extends beyond subtitles. International movies typically are just available in their original language + local translation (German). Then sometimes the video stream also differs from the English version (e.g. when there is a sign in German language).

Re: Netflix Is Now Available Around the World

#475

Post by justusw »

izacus wrote: post #236
dasil003 wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Having spent the last 8 years of my life building a streaming film company that has from day one streamed globally and dealt with this patchwork of rights issue, I can tell you one reason: Other than China and India, no other market is as big or insular as the US. In Europe people travel across borders and speak multiple languages all the time, and yet it's like pulling teeth to put together multiple regional subtitl…

Well, to be fair, Netflix STILL switches subtitle language when I cross the border making me stuck with german subtitles on everything even though I'd prefer english :/

If I remember correctly, it was the same in Mexico and Scandinavia and some other countries. While there are ways to disable the subtitles through unofficial means, I doubt that they still work.

It is quite possible that this is due to licensing issues. This link here https://mrgnome.wordpress.com/2013/11/02/no-option-to-turn-o... might or might not help you, given its age.

In some sense it is still better than Amazon Prime in Germany with only German audio being available when I was using it last.

Do you know whether the same thing happens with Netflix original content as well?

Re: Netflix Is Now Available Around the World

#477

Post by macspoofing »

lmm wrote: post #297
macspoofing wrote: post #272

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>maybe we'll see smaller budget moves jump on Netflix, Absolutely, but that's nothing new. We had direct-to-video or direct-to-tv movies for decades. Direct-to-streaming isn't really that disruptive. What we don't have is big budget movies bypassing theaters, because why would they? Why wouldn't they have theatre run, and then a streaming/video/TV run?

> Absolutely, but that's nothing new. We had direct-to-video or direct-to-tv movies for decades. Direct-to-streaming isn't really that disruptive. What we don't have is big budget movies bypassing theaters, because why would they? Why wouldn't they have theatre run, and then a streaming/video/TV run? If they can keep selling in theatres then they will. But if Netflix can deliver high enough production values (coupled…

>If they can keep selling in theatres then they will.

I think that's what it comes down to.

>Since I got a $500 projector I've hardly ever gone to the cinema, and regretted it when I did.

But that's been a trend for a long time. There is some evidence that high-quality AV equipment with digital content did impact ticket sales. But I don't know if it's going to kill it. The one thing that cinema has going for it is it's a destination when you want to get out of the house.

And we do have a good thing going. If you want to see a new release RIGHT NOW, you pay $15/person/view. If you don't, you wait a few months to rent it for $5 or wait a little longer and watch it for 'free' on Netflix or TV. That's eco101 price discrimination.

Re: Netflix Is Now Available Around the World

#478

Post by vinceyuan »

What can I watch on Netflix? I am in Asia and did not use Netflix before. I visited netflix.com but still don't have a clear view of it. The website says "Watch TV shows & movie anytime, anywhere. Plans from $X a month", but does not provide a complete list.

I watched HBO on TV which continuously shows (old) movies. I know Netflix is not like HBO. It is a VOD system, like a video version of Apple Music. Is it correct?

Re: Netflix Is Now Available Around the World

#479

Post by stupidcar »

thegenius2000 wrote: post #409
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…

I agree with what a lot of people have mentioned, though not focused on: Netflix needs to add sports if they want to really dominate at a global level. As an example, consider Africa (I'm Kenyan): the Barclays Premiere League is watched in virtually every country, but provided by one company, known as MultiChoice. Because almost everyone wants to watch football, and there is only one option, if they can afford it, th…

There's no doubt that sport (particularly football and cricket) are a sure way to quickly gain market share in certain countries. The problem is, this fact is very well understood in the industry, and therefore the content rights are priced accordingly. I'm in the UK, where it costs a lot of money to acquire Premier League rights, and I doubt it's exactly cheap anywhere in the world.

The question for Netflix — and any content distributor — is whether the benefits justify the price. This calculation will be different for every organisation, based on their financial resources, expansion plans, existing market share, customer base, target customer base, etc. I suspect that, at the moment, the potential benefits from expanding into sport aren't justified for Netflix. They have a strong brand based on access to high-quality, episodic "TV-style" content, that is driving good growth already. Moving into showing live sports would be an expensive risk.

I suspect we'll see Netflix expand into streaming live events eventually, but probably not mainstream sports and news to begin with. It makes more sense for them to identify emerging sectors, such as esports, which have the potential for strong growth, but for which the rights are still relatively cheap.

Re: Netflix Is Now Available Around the World

#480

Post by throwaway049 »

vinceyuan wrote: post #478

What can I watch on Netflix? I am in Asia and did not use Netflix before. I visited netflix.com but still don't have a clear view of it. The website says "Watch TV shows & movie anytime, anywhere. Plans from $X a month", but does not provide a complete list. I watched HBO on TV which continuously shows (old) movies. I know Netflix is not like HBO. It is a VOD system, like a video version of Apple Music. Is it correct…

Different films and shows are available in different countries and regions depending on Netflix's ability to licence, and what they anticipate customers will want. Which country are you in?
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