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Netflix launches Rs 199 ($2.80) mobile-only monthly plan in India

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21–30 of 112 posts

Re: Netflix launches Rs 199 ($2.80) mobile-only monthly plan in India

#21
post #16

480p streaming which this plan offers will look absolutely pathetic in most Android phones (by this time has 98-99% share in India) which boast ever increasing screen resolutions. So I bet this plan has no takers for people who love beautiful resolutions on their phones which cost sub $300.

480p isn't that bad, but then it depends upon what your used too. But way better than 640x480 resolution that many grew up with. India consumers are really price savvy and look for value for money more than most people I know and with that, not as easily hooked into the fashion whims of society. Though that may well change as the average income rises. I had a look at the best selling phones in India and https://www.g…

To add a counterpoint - think about a much bigger whale - Youtube - automatically upscales to 1080p when network and devices supports it. And Youtube in India is much much bigger over Hotstar and all other streaming providers. 80% of internet users of India use YouTube https://gadgets.ndtv.com/internet/news/youtube-india-penetra.... You can see that people know their 1080p when they see it.

Re: Netflix launches Rs 199 ($2.80) mobile-only monthly plan in India

#22

480p streaming which this plan offers will look absolutely pathetic in most Android phones (by this time has 98-99% share in India) which boast ever increasing screen resolutions. So I bet this plan has no takers for people who love beautiful resolutions on their phones which cost sub $300.

I look at 480p movies all the time: good internet connection is not easy to find on the move. Honestly I don't care that much for HD as long as the experience is fluid and instant.

Re: Netflix launches Rs 199 ($2.80) mobile-only monthly plan in India

#23
post #16

480p streaming which this plan offers will look absolutely pathetic in most Android phones (by this time has 98-99% share in India) which boast ever increasing screen resolutions. So I bet this plan has no takers for people who love beautiful resolutions on their phones which cost sub $300.

480p isn't that bad, but then it depends upon what your used too. But way better than 640x480 resolution that many grew up with. India consumers are really price savvy and look for value for money more than most people I know and with that, not as easily hooked into the fashion whims of society. Though that may well change as the average income rises. I had a look at the best selling phones in India and https://www.g…

Also notable is that several of those phones don't have Widevine Level 1, and don't get full HD content on Netflix on any plan.

Re: Netflix launches Rs 199 ($2.80) mobile-only monthly plan in India

#24
post #18

Netflix should work out partnerships with Internet and Telecom Providers to get this working at a massive volume. If Netflix can club their billing, may not be necessary monthly, along with the likes of Jio/Airtel Recharge billings, it will be an easy access to the target subscribers they are looking for. For the majority of Indian masses that this is intended for, it is not just the pricing but the payment method is…

> Lot of people still "recharge" their prepaid phone bills with cash. Didn't India outlaw cash?

As far as I know they didn't, about 2 years ago they just replaced several high value bills over night to battle corruption (you essentially had to go to a bank to get your old bills replaced, which in turn layed open your income/wealth).

Re: Netflix launches Rs 199 ($2.80) mobile-only monthly plan in India

#25
post #19

"Indian consumer market remains value-conscious" - this is the most important point here. But 200rs per month too seems very expensive. I'm not sure how this will play out. Let's see. Hotstar has been killing it. They have the massive advantage of streaming live sports, especially IPL and other cricket matches. I think Netflix will become the next Apple in India. They gotta think like an Indian company and not as an…

I agree, I think the government guaranteed wage is only 100rs per day if doing roadwork or similar. (Not sure the correct term). I believe in the Kolkata superb area, many people with a bachelors or equivalent only make $60-80 usd a month. (4000-5500rs) Of course, there are many many many people who make much more. If I think of what it costs to eat out in the US, and what it costs to eat out in India... 200rs is pro…

Where are you quoting these figures from? The minimum wage is considerably higher than Rs. 100 per day in most parts of India.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimum_Wages_Act_1948

Rs. 200 is not a big amount. Of course, the real comparison will be with respect to the cable TV rate, and the Netflix rate might not be low enough to be a better option.

Re: Netflix launches Rs 199 ($2.80) mobile-only monthly plan in India

#26
post #18

Netflix should work out partnerships with Internet and Telecom Providers to get this working at a massive volume. If Netflix can club their billing, may not be necessary monthly, along with the likes of Jio/Airtel Recharge billings, it will be an easy access to the target subscribers they are looking for. For the majority of Indian masses that this is intended for, it is not just the pricing but the payment method is…

> Lot of people still "recharge" their prepaid phone bills with cash. Didn't India outlaw cash?

No. They withdrew the 500 and 1000 Rupee bills in circulation in 2016, which was around 86 percent of all the cash in the country, which is the 6th largest economy in the world at present. But cash circulation is almost back to normal by now.

Re: Netflix launches Rs 199 ($2.80) mobile-only monthly plan in India

#27
post #19

"Indian consumer market remains value-conscious" - this is the most important point here. But 200rs per month too seems very expensive. I'm not sure how this will play out. Let's see. Hotstar has been killing it. They have the massive advantage of streaming live sports, especially IPL and other cricket matches. I think Netflix will become the next Apple in India. They gotta think like an Indian company and not as an…

I agree, I think the government guaranteed wage is only 100rs per day if doing roadwork or similar. (Not sure the correct term). I believe in the Kolkata superb area, many people with a bachelors or equivalent only make $60-80 usd a month. (4000-5500rs) Of course, there are many many many people who make much more. If I think of what it costs to eat out in the US, and what it costs to eat out in India... 200rs is pro…

These are some wild numbers. Please recheck. I don't know anyone that can survive in Calcutta on $70 a month. Out of college, people earn about $350-$650 dollars on the monthly.

Re: Netflix launches Rs 199 ($2.80) mobile-only monthly plan in India

#29

It seems that Techcrunch's CMS cannot (perhaps) handle Unicode headlines: Rs = ₹ * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_rupee_sign

It may just be for their American audience. I know Rs but have never seen the symbol until right now.

Re: Netflix launches Rs 199 ($2.80) mobile-only monthly plan in India

#30
post #25
post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree, I think the government guaranteed wage is only 100rs per day if doing roadwork or similar. (Not sure the correct term). I believe in the Kolkata superb area, many people with a bachelors or equivalent only make $60-80 usd a month. (4000-5500rs) Of course, there are many many many people who make much more. If I think of what it costs to eat out in the US, and what it costs to eat out in India... 200rs is pro…

Where are you quoting these figures from? The minimum wage is considerably higher than Rs. 100 per day in most parts of India. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimum_Wages_Act_1948 Rs. 200 is not a big amount. Of course, the real comparison will be with respect to the cable TV rate, and the Netflix rate might not be low enough to be a better option.

From what you posted:

“Lack of awareness: Many citizens are not aware of the existence of a statutory provision that ensures a minimum wage rate. "80% of workers earn less than INR 20/day or less than half of government stipulated minimum wage rate (rural INR 49 and urban INR 67)”.[2] On certain instances of doubt among workers on existence of a minimum wage rate, officials have denied claims of any statutory act or legislation.[11]”

“42% of all wage earners in India receive wages below the national minimum wage floor rate.[62]”

“In Mumbai, as of 2017, the minimum wage was Rs. 348/day for a safai karmachari (sewage cleaner and sweeper), but this was rarely paid.[5]”

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