US-based video streaming provider Netflix, which describes itself as the world’s leading internet television network with over 65 million members in over 50 countries across the globe, yesterday announced its intention to continue its Asian expansion with planned launches in South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan in early 2016 as it moves to complete its global rollout by the end of next year.
The move, which follows last month’s entry into the Japanese market, will allow users in the targeted countries to access a selection of ‘curated’ TV shows and movies in high-definition (HD) or even Ultra HD 4K on nearly any internet-connected screen, it said. ‘The combination of increasing internet speeds and ubiquity of connected devices provides consumers with the anytime, anywhere ability to enjoy their favourite TV shows and movies on the Netflix service,’ said Reed Hastings, chief executive officer of Netflix. ‘These four markets well represent those trends.’ As previously reported by CommsUpdate, last month the over-the-top (OTT) provider announced the signing of a deal with Japanese telecoms operator Softbank Group to launch its video streaming service in Japan on 2 September – marking an Asian first for Netflix. Under the tie-up, Softbank customers can sign up for Netflix’s video streaming service at retail outlets, online or via call centres, as well as at major electronics retailers. The sign-up process does not require filling out any payment information as the Netflix fee will be added straight to the user’s bill. At launch, Netflix is offering a choice of three tiers of service, with the entry-level, single-stream standard definition (SD) plan costing JPY650 (USD5.4), rising to JPY950 for the HD dual stream plan and JPY1,450 for the premier quad-stream 4K ultra-HD family plan.
