Netflix Launches First Online-Only Streaming Service Outside of U.S.

Netflix's first streaming-only service is now online and rolling out films to movie buffs all across Canada. The company confirmed a few months back that they were shooting to launch this fall, and now it looks like all of the approvals have been acquired. Starting now, Canadians can finally take part in the Netflix festivities that Americans have been enjoying for years, but only the streaming aspect.

Honestly though, that's probably the best aspect. With the invention of Redbox, it's easier than ever to find new release DVDs nearby, and it's far quicker than waiting for an envelope in the mail as with Netflix's by-mail DVD rental service. And since it's obvious that digital downloading is the way of the future, it's likely that Netflix will continue to bolster their Internet offerings while throttling back the DVD-by-mail offerings in time.


The Canadian introduction marks the first availability of the Netflix service outside the United States, and potentially more importantly, the first time Netflix has launched a streaming-only service. This could mean that Netflix is well on their way to landing similar deals in other nations that lack Netflix. One can hope, right? Canadians that are interested in giving Netflix a spin can head to netflix.ca for a free one-month trial. Not bad!

NETFLIX LAUNCHES CANADIAN SERVICE FOR STREAMING MOVIES AND TV EPISODES OVER THE INTERNET
For $7.99 a Month, Canadians Can Instantly Watch Unlimited Movies and TV Shows Streamed from Netflix to TVs and Computers — First International Market for Web’s Leading Movie Subscription Service

TORONTO, September 22, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Netflix, Inc. [Nasdaq: NFLX], the leading Internet movie subscription service, today launched in Canada with an offering that allows Canadians to instantly watch unlimited movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix to TVs and computers for only $7.99 a month. The Canadian introduction marks the first availability of the Netflix service outside the United States.

Canadians can immediately begin a free, one-month trial — or learn more about Netflix — by going to www.netflix.ca.

“With our launch today in Canada, Netflix is focused on adding meaningfully to the entertainment choices available to Canadian consumers,” said the company’s co-founder and CEO, Reed Hastings, who was in Toronto for the inauguration of the service. “Convenience, selection and value are at the heart of the Netflix service, and it is our hope that this resonates with Canadians.”

Canadian Netflix members can choose from thousands of movies and TV episodes, including feature films, popular TV series, independent cinema, documentaries, foreign language movies, and kids’ programming. Choices are instantly streamed to TVs and computers via a broadband Internet connection — and members can watch as much as they want, whenever they want.
A range of leading devices that stream from Netflix

A number of consumer electronics devices available in Canada are capable of streaming instantly from Netflix right to TVs. Nintendo’s Wii home console and Sony’s PlayStation®3 (PS3™) system can stream from Netflix now, and later this fall Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is set to join the Netflix streaming ranks here. The installed base of the three leading consoles in Canada is approximately six million units.

In addition, iPhone, iPad and iPod touch can now stream from Netflix in Canada, as can Blu-ray disc players from Samsung and Toshiba. Movies and TV shows streamed from Netflix can also be watched instantly on PCs and Macs. Over time, more devices capable of streaming from Netflix are expected to be added in Canada, including Blu-ray disc players from VIZIO and Insignia (the latter available exclusively at Best Buy and Futureshop), Internet TVs from Samsung and the recently retuned Apple TV when it is introduced here.
Thousands of movies and TV shows to choose from

As part of today’s launch, Netflix announced Canadian license agreements with major motion picture studios such as Lionsgate, MGM Studios, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox and Universal Pictures, as well as leading Canadian distributors Alliance Films, Maple Pictures, eOne and Mongrel.

Content available to Canadian Netflix members includes:

    * Popular feature films like “Superbad,” “The Pursuit of Happyness,” “A Beautiful Mind,” “The Notebook,” “Elizabeth” and “Slumdog Millionaire.”
    * First-run feature films from Twentieth Century Fox, including “(500) Days of Summer,” “My Life in Ruins,” “All About Steve” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox” concurrent with their release on linear pay TV in Canada.
    * In-cycle programming including the new romantic comedy “Running Wilde,” starring Will Arnett and Keri Russell. In Canada, “Running Wilde” will stream from Netflix on the same day as the show airs on network television in the U.S.
    * The first five seasons of the Canadian Showcase Network’s hit “mockumentary” series “Trailer Park Boys,” director Mike Clattenburg’s creation about the misadventures of a group of trailer park residents in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
    * Prior season episodes of the Emmy® and Golden Globe® winning TV series “Mad Men” (the stylish drama about ad agency life on New York’s Madison Ave in the 1960s) and the hit dramas “Leverage” (starring Academy Award® winner Timothy Hutton), “Rescue Me” (Denis Leary’s series about New York City firefighters) and “Monk” (starring Emmy® Award and Golden Globe® Award winner Tony Shalhoub in the title role).
    * Popular shows from the Discovery Channel (“MythBusters”), Nickelodeon (“SpongeBob SquarePants” and “Dora the Explorer”), Canada’s Nelvana Studio (animated episodes of “Babar” and “Franklin”) and the BBC (“Robin Hood” and “Fawlty Towers”).

As previously announced, the Netflix Canadian service will initially be available in English only, but the company said it expects to add French language capability over time.