Netflix undercuts the competition in Australia

Netflix launches in Australia tomorrow and in a fiercely competitive market has come in at a price-point below that of its rivals.

The US-listed SVOD service is priced at A$8.99 a month (US$6.99) for the single user standard definition plan. A dual user sub is A$11.99 and the four-user 4K package is A$14.99.

The base price is marginally below that of the competition with Nine and Fairfax-operated Stan at A$10, and Foxtel and Seven’s Presto at A$9.99. Early entrant Quickflix is also A$9.99.

Netflix is reportedly working on a content and marketing partnership with Australia’s Network Ten and it has also secured a distribution deal with broadband operator Optus.

The Australian programming line-up is largely the same as that of many of Netflix’s international services with all of its originals, including new noir drama Bloodline as well as its existing in-house shows House of Cards, Marco Polo (pictured) and Orange is the New Black.

Netflix is aggressively rolling out internationally having committed earlier this year to being in 200 territories within two years. It has launched in Cuba this year and is tipped to hit Italy and Spain later in 2015.

Separately, US trade Deadline has reported that Netflix has picked up US rights to Chinese epic period drama Empresses in the Palace.