Netflix Australia gets March 24 launch date
American streaming service Netflix will launch in Australia and New Zealand on March 24, ending the isolation that millions of Aussies have felt from geo-blocking on popular shows.
The network will offer a variety of local series and films, as well as Netflix breakout shows like House of Cards, Bloodline and The Killing.
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Critically-acclaimed series Orange is the New Black will not be available due to existing licensing deals.
Netflix is already available in 50 countries to 57 million members who pay a monthly fee to access the provider’s content on anything from their television to mobile.
Prices will not be announced until the March 24 launch, but Netflix has signalled different plans and packages, including a “family” deal which will allow a four-stream plan.
Customers of internet provider iiNet have been offered a special deal as part of the launch, with Netflix Australia usage not counting towards data caps for iiNet customers.
Australia has one of the highest rates of illegal downloading in the world, but whether the launch of Netflix Australia and New Zealand curbs the pirating of shows like House of Cards is anyone’s guess.