NETFLIX is available in almost every country in the world – after confirming it would add some 130 new territories live on-stage during its CES press conference. Unsurprisingly, the share price rocketed at the news.
 |
| Netflix has become the first on-demand video service to become available in almost every country |
Netflix has become the first on-demand video service to become available in almost every country in the world.
The US streaming service made the announcement at the CES consumer electronics show, in Las Vegas.
The technology firm is also attempting to expand into China, with other availability black-spots including Crimea, North Korea and Syria.
The news comes after an unofficial Netflix app appeared online which gives subscribers access to the complete catalogue of region-locked shows and films.
 |
| Jessica Jones star Krysten Ritter and Will Arnett laugh on-stage at CES |
 |
| Netflix CEO Reed Hastings announced the on-demand service would expand to 130 new territories |
Making the announcement during a speech at the CES in Las Vegas, Netflix chief executive Reed Hastings also confirmed the service will begin offering high dynamic range (HDR) content later in the year.
HDR is a technology that enables TVs to show millions of extra colours, as well as a greater contrast between black and white to improve detail.
Many televisions being released this year will use HDR alongside 4K – ultra high definition that adds more pixels to a screen.
Mr Hastings called the impact of HDR a "visceral sensation that's pretty amazing".
"Today you are witnessing the birth of a new global internet TV network," he added.
"With this launch, consumers around the world – from Singapore to St Petersburg, from San Francisco to Sao Paulo – will be able to enjoy TV shows and movies simultaneously – no more waiting.
"With the help of the internet, we are putting power in consumers' hands to watch whenever, wherever and on whatever device."
 |
| The share price rocketed at the news of the rapid global expansion |
On the process of launching in China, Mr Hastings said Netflix would be "very patient", while revealing that Chinese has been added to its list of supported languages.
The site now serves 125 million hours of television and movies a day, according to Mr Hastings, and more than 12 billion hours of video was streamed in the final three months of 2015, a rise of nearly 50 per cent on the same period the previous year.
Post a Comment Blogger Facebook Disqus