Netflix Australia rumours resurface

Netflix is considering launching in Australia in 2015, according to national newspaper The Australian.

There were numerous local reports late last year that the US-listed streaming service would continue its international roll out by launching in Australia. However, soon after these emerged, there were further reports that Netflix was struggling to tie the US Studios into content deals in the country.

The majors are understood to be wary of threatening their lucrative large-scale and long-term programming deals with the main Australian commercial free-to-air broadcasters who argue any agreements with Netflix would devalue the deals they have in place.

At MIPTV in April several Australian attendees suggested Netflix was, however, keen on launching in the country, possibly this year although it is understood that a mooted launch by mid-2014 was not part of Netflix’s plans.

In its report, the Australian said TV executives in the country are concerned that Netflix has amassed up to up to 200,000 customers in Australia who are finding ways to bypass its geo-blocked content.

It added that Seven is the latest free-to-air channel in the country looking at how it might compete with a local Netflix by launching its own streaming service and is mulling cooperating with various local partners. Nine is already hatching streaming plans and pay TV firm Foxtel already has a service called Presto.