Local suitors have reportedly been told that Netflix wants to launch in Oz in the next 12 to 18 months. I wouldn’t be surprised. They’re expanding into Latin America this year, and here we are rolling out an NBN. But what would it mean for the likes of Bigpond Movies or Fetch TV?
Well, more competition for one. And as customers, that’s always a good thing. Fetch TV has teamed up with a range of ISPs (including iiNet, Internode and Optus); and the reason for that is unmetered downloads. The NBN may speed things up, but unlimited download plans are still (mostly) priced at a premium. Because of this, it’s likely that Netflix would follow a similar model to Fetch TV. Enter the hunt for a local ISP to hook up with.
I doubt it’d be Telstra: our biggest Telco seems too focused on T-Hub downloads and BigPond Movies (especially after selling its DVD mail rental biz to Quickflix). Digging deeper into streaming services, there’s also Sony Video On Demand by Qriocity and Foxtel on Xbox. Channel 9 is still trying to convince 7 and 10 to join an Australian Hulu, and even YouTube is renting movies.
So if Netflix arrived in Australia, it’d definitely shake things up. And we’d get to use streamers like the Boxee, Tivo and Xbox 360 the way they were intended! I’m all for that.
In the meantime: Five Best VPN Service Providers. [The Australian via Lifehacker]
Note: This one’s for you @aafuss ;)
Daryl
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 1:39 PMwould still be waiting for current seasons of shows no doubt
wsDK_II
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 1:45 PMAre you serious…you ‘doubt it’d be Telstra: our biggest Telco is too focused on T-Hub downloads and BigPond Movies ‘
for a jorno in the industry you show an amazing lack of insight. I can tell you now that Telstra will fight tooth and claw to get them as their exclusive partner.
anyone could tell you this.
Danny Allen
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 2:14 PMThat’s your opinion. Glad you shared it.
Gazman
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 2:39 PMDude, he’s right… Telstra are too busy trying to be a content provider to want to partner with someone who competes for the same customers…
Mr Explody
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 1:52 PMCome on Internode, do it!
The Cracks
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 2:02 PMiiNet has Xbox downloads as quota free, but I’m pretty sure that only counts towards game content and demos, and online multiplayer traffic. If they could stick Netflix in the Freezone, and allow me to watch it on my Xbox 360, I’d be all for it.
Virus__
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 2:05 PMThere’s an Aussie ISP called “Internet”? I thought you might mean Internode?
Danny Allen
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 2:13 PMNo man, Internet is awesome for connecting to the Internodes
Virus__
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 2:14 PMTouche, you have me there D:
Rahux
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 7:22 PMWell played, sir
RufusLives
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 2:09 PMOther big question on this is will we get the full service at a decent price? The likely answer… no.
At Last..
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 2:10 PMThis is great news, i’m not sure exactly why they need unmetered though (not that it wouldn’t be helpful). I currently stream most of the tv shows and movies that i watch through various websites. I’m on a 150GB plan and we usually only use about 80% of that and i’m not even the only user in the house.
It annoys me that there is no reasonable paid service in Aus (no iTunes/Bigpond, $3-7 for a single rental download is not reasonable). I would happily subscribe to netflix though.. provided their Australian pricing was comparable to the US pricing.
Mitchell
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 2:24 PMHmm I may have to switch to a different ISP if this comes to fruition, anyone with iiNet? Are their services consistent/stable?
Mixa
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 3:12 PMMeh…an oz version would be restricted. Do you really think the free to air providers would let them stream anything even vaguely new. I’ll stick with megavideo and vodeobb for latest release stuff and continue to enjoy my US Netflix accout on both my Xbox and computer (Netflix + unblock-us.com = joy for less than $12au/month)
Quin
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 4:50 PMWhile they’ll be looking for an ISP, they may invest in, or takeover Quickflix, to provide themselves with a local presence here in Australia.
The company is already looking into live streaming options for Q3-Q4 2011.
Franz
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 5:10 PMAs blockbuster went down the drain in the US, It’s australian limb did nothing in response, so here come netflix to finish the job.
On another note, If Netflix FAIL to offer what they are offering in the US etc, then I am not interested in their service at all.
Angus
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 7:18 PMQuickflix has been working pretty well for me, but once we have NBN would definately be interested in this. Providing they don’t stuff up the content.
Steve
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 8:12 PMPlease let this happen.
Though I’m sure Telstra and Foxtel would try to shut this down.
Hell, just today I saw a bus advertisement for Game of Thrones on Foxtel starting THIS WEEK! Aka: A full month after it finished all 10 episodes on HBO. It’s in their interest to continue fucking us over.
Though if we get Netflix streaming with good release dates for television and so-on, fuck yes.
A.A.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 4:19 AMI know that Netflix did apply for trademarks with IP Australia at or near the same time as Hulu did in March.
I wonder which ISP they might go for.
David
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 6:33 PMNetflix have enough clout to get a good deal with US distributors. Dealing with Aussie Distributors will be a different story. Getting anything but a raw deal here is next to impossible. Still, if Netflix can swing any kind of unlimited steaming service here It would be worth paying 20-30 Bucks a month to get it.
David
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 6:40 PMThe film industry here needs to understand that if we do not get a good enough deal, we are going to continue to turn to P2P to get what we want.
For these kinds of services to work, Aussies need to understand that we cant get our entertainment for free, but more importantly, the industry needs to understand that we will not pay unreasonable prices for content nor will we wait to get content so that Distributors can squeeze every penny out of a production