Netflix sets Australasian launch date

Netflix is due to launch its subscription video-on-demand service in Australia and New Zealand on March 24, it has announced.

Netflix will be available on all major Australian broadband operators, while iiNet has agreed the first “un-metered” agreement with the video service in Australia, giving customers unlimited access to Netflix with the usage not counting towards home data caps.

“Many Aussies and Kiwis have heard a lot about Netflix over the years, and we’re excited they’ll get to experience our unique blend of Netflix original content, local series and films, and popular movies and TV shows from around the world, all for a low monthly price,” said Netflix CEO and co-founder Reed Hastings.

Meanwhile, Netflix’s chief content officer, Ted Sarandos, has told reporters the streaming service will likely attempt to enter the Chinese market without a local partner.

“It’s unlikely that we would definitely pursue [a local partner model] as a strategy,” he said in Shanghai. “These ventures become very complex and very difficult to manage, and ultimately difficult to be successful.”

Netflix would need to gain various licences to follow this route, which could hold up its entrance to market.

China has some of the toughest regulatory rules in the world, meaning many international companies have shied away from the territory. However, with Chinese media booming and international deals being struck, some firms are gaining new confidence.