Don’t chuck your VPN away just yet: Netflix’s Australian library has some serious content problems when it comes to geeky TV shows.
This morning I decided to do a little test to see what Netflix had in Australia compared to what the service offers to stream for its US customers. What I found was pretty gobsmacking.
At random, I chose 20 TV shows that resonate with Gizmodo Australia readers. Everything from The X-Files to Archer right through to Hawaii Five-0 and Xena: Warrior Princess were thrown on the list.
I collated how many seasons were available in the US, thinking that while Netflix’s Australian library might have a few of the shows in question, the number of episodes on offer could differ.
Nope.
As it turns out, of the 20 shows I chose at random, not one of them is on the Netflix Australian library. Here’s the list:
Show | US Netflix availability | AU Netflix availability |
---|---|---|
Parks And Recreation | 6 seasons | Not available |
The Office US | 9 seasons | Not available |
Bob’s Burgers | 3 seasons | Not available |
Archer | 5 seasons | Not available |
Family Guy | 12 seasons | Not available |
30 Rock | 7 seasons | Not available |
Dexter | 8 seasons | Not available |
Weeds | 8 seasons | Not available |
Portlandia | 4 seasons | Not available |
The Following | 2 seasons | Not available |
The X-Files | 9 seasons | Not available |
Cosmos | 1 season | Not available |
Hawaii Five-0 | 4 seasons | Not available |
Revolution | 2 seasons | Not available |
Dollhouse | 2 seasons | Not available |
The 4400 | 4 seasons | Not available |
Alphas | 2 seasons | Not available |
Sliders | 5 seasons | Not available |
Xena: Warrior Princess | 6 seasons | Not available |
Caprica | 1 season | Not available |
Thankfully, these titles are just a switch away with a browser-based VPN like Hola.
This isn’t to say Netflix’s Australian offering is bad. It’s just missing a few geeky shows you might like. It’s still great for movies and even has some stuff the US library doesn’t have like Stargate: Atlantis, for example. Netflix offers a 30-day free trial for you to check out the library without paying a cent, so you’ve got nothing to lose by checking it out.
Our friends over at Lifehacker have taken a look at the movies on offer for Netflix’s Aussie users, and the situation is about as bleak.