Tag: Netflix

Netflix Starts Testing Rs. 250 Monthly Subscription Plan In India

Netflix, ever since its venture into the video streaming business in 2007 has changed the way movies and TV shows are consumed. The company started its operations in the Indian market in the year 2016. To ascertain growth, it also started handing out free trials and even tried its hand in media production. Unfortunately, the monthly plans were still considered too expensive in the country which made the service inaccessible for most Indians. In the latest bid to change the aforementioned problem, Netflix has started testing out a monthly subscription plan worth Rs. 250 per month for mobile users.

Netflix To Get More Affordable

The new Rs. 250 monthly subscription plan for Netflix will only be applicable for mobile consumers in the official app. Like the most affordable plan currently, it only can be used to stream on one mobile device at once. The plan allows streaming in Standard Definition (SD) quality, which generally refers to as streaming in 480p resolution. This more affordable subscription plan is aimed at making the streaming platform accessible to more users in India.

The current plans for Netflix in India start from Rs 500 per month for the base plan. This offers SD quality video on one device at a time; this device can be either a computer, TV or mobile device. The next plan is available for Rs. 650 which allows HD streaming and two devices support at the same time. The most premium subscription is the Rs 800 per month plan, which bumps up the resolution to Ultra HD and streaming on four devices simultaneously. With the new subscription, Netflix is targeting the ever increasing mobile customers in India.

Also read: Inbox App By Gmail Officially Making Its Exit On April 2

Even with the new Rs 250 a month subscription plan, Netflix is still considerably more expensive than its competitors in India. For example, Amazon Prime Video is available at Rs. 129 per month or alternatively Rs. 999 per year. Hotstar, another video streaming platform is available starting Rs 199 per month. Both these services, despite having a significantly smaller media library is more affordable than Netflix. It is expected that the company will see a notable increase in subscriber count with the new plan.

March 22, 2019
How Do Netflix And Other Streaming Services Earn Money

Netflix and Amazon’s Prime Video are always at loggerheads as the streaming giants fight it out to get the most number of subscribers, the best shows and the most eyeballs. Some of the biggest shows from all across the world are either on Netflix or Prime Video. These services disrupted many industries – CD/DVD renting, music and even the film industry itself – giving viewers the opportunity to watch the best movies and tv shows from the comfort of your home.

So, how did they do it? How did they take over the experience of going to Movie theatres and watching movies on a big screen with a bucket of popcorn shared between the group of people.

What Is A Streaming Service?

A streaming service is a website that allows you to view content online for a fixed charge. This can be on a monthly, yearly or even a per show price. These streaming companies sign contracts with different production houses to get exclusive access to content. This allows for a viewer to get a unified content experience vs browsing the internet for different types of content. It also aims at stopping piracy which was prevalent before companies like Netflix showed up. In other words, “What Apple did with Apple Music, Netflix has done with movies and TV shows” which refers to the stopping of piracy in the entertainment business.

The World Before Streaming Services

Viewers like you and I have grown up watching movies at the cinema. Once the movie had run its natural course in these cinema theatres, the work on DVDs would begin. This was approximately five months post the movie release. If someone missed the movie during initial release , they would wait about six months for the movie to hit DVD production. Some preferred to wait for months more to watch the movie when it was eventually broadcast on television. Some even rented movies from places like Blockbuster(R.I.P.) or, in India, local renting stores.

Change In Business

Content production companies, traditionally, have had a business model that likes to control distribution. They wait for as long as they can before releasing a new format. For example, when they release a movie they wait till the vast majority of people who were willing to watch a movie at the cinema has watched it. Then they release other formats one by one. In the earlier days, they used to have different formats released one by one, which included DVD, CD, VCR, PPV and BlueRay. TV broadcasts were usually saved for last as it was reserved for people who wanted to see the movie, but were not willing to pay for it. So the production companies earned from TV sales and ad revenues.

But things have changed now and many production and distribution companies understand the importance of giving viewers options . The number of movie releases have also increased tenfold and a viewer does not wait for six months to watch a movie. Piracy has also been a concern with camera quality improving drastically, pirated versions of a movie have become very good in quality. The production companies were losing money in trying to control distribution. That is where streaming services came in.

Streaming Services Revenue

Many viewers think that Netflix is being paid by the production companies to list their movies. But in actuality it is the other way around. Netflix pays producers of movies to have content on their website for a set period of time. Once the time has expired, they choose to take it down or if the viewer count is more then they can extend the period by paying more.

In fact, Netflix’s entire cash flow comes from subscriptions. They have different plans for different countries which has options based on the number of screens. If you are subscribing for more than one screen so that two people from your friends or family can watch simultaneously. Amazon Prime which also earns from subscriptions as well but they have a one person one account policy and everyone has to subscribe to Prime separately.

Originals

Even though Netflix earns a lot from the subscription, they spend a lot more in advertising, marketing and overhead as well as operating cost. They also invest a lot on what they call Netflix Originals which are movies and TV shows produced by Netflix themselves. Prime Video have also heavily invested in originals but Netflix has had more hit titles like Stranger Things, Brahman Naman, Narcos, Little Things and so on. The new Black Mirror Bandersnatch and a movie called Bird Box saw rave reviews.

Also read: Top Crime Dramas To Watch On Netflix This Weekend

In a developing country like India with immense growth potential , streaming services like Netflix and Prime Video are producing Indian content and focussing on the Indian market by reducing subscription prices. The competition has just begun in India and it will be interesting to see if other players like Hulu see India as a possible expansion strategy in future. Till then, get your blankets and popcorn out, sit back, relax and stream.

January 3, 2019
Top Crime Dramas To Watch On Netflix This Weekend

Netflix has always been on point when it comes to crime drama. The shows featured on Netflix are more often than not, highly rated on IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes and always manage to keep you on your toes. This weekend, we give you a list of such shows to watch on Netflix that will keep you on the edge of your seats. So make some pop-corn, sit back and binge watch.

Making A Murderer

This gripping crime series focusses on a true event that happened in the United States in the 80s and continued till the 2000s. The story revolves around Steven Avery, a man from Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, who served 18 years in prison for the wrongful conviction of sexual assault and attempted murder. There are two seasons with a total of 20 episodes each running around 47 to 77 minutes.

Mindhunter

This crime series is based on a book called Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit. The authors of the book are John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker, and they focus around the time when the FBI did not have a criminal profiling division. The story revolves around the central characters FBI agents Holden Ford and Bill Tench. They go around the country to interview serial killers (They coin the term as well, on their journey to understand ‘serial killers’). There is just onwseason with 10 episodes with a watching time of 34 to 60 minutes each episode.

Manhunt: Unabomber

This crime drama is gripping and is an extraordinary story told through fiction about the infamous Unabomber. Ted Kaczynski, also known as the Unabomber was a real life terrorist. He, between 1978 and 1995, killed three people and injured 23 others. The story of the series follows the main character Jim Fitzgerald who the FBI tasks to profile the Unabomber. He faces constant opposition from within the FBI who question his weird methods. The series has 1 season with 8 episodes each 42 to 43 minutes long. It is a great watch for the thrill-seekers on a Sunday afternoon.

Narcos

Narcos is a highly successful crime drama series running for three seasons now and has a huge viewer base at the moment. And what more, it is set to release a new season on November 16th! If you still haven’t watched the series, then this weekend would be a good time to catch up on it. Seasons 1 and 2 are based on the story of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, who was an infamous drug lord in Columbia. He was known as the “The King of Cocaine” and was the wealthiest criminal in history. Escobar was known to have burnt money to keep himself warm at times.The three seasons comprise of 30 episodes ranging from 30 to 45 minutes each.

Fargo

The show chronicles a story of deception, intrigue and murder in and around frozen Minnesota but somehow all clues lead to Fargo, North Dakota. Fargo has three seasons so far and each have an amazing starcast with very edge of the seat stories. It features great actors such as Billy Bob Thornton, Allison Tolman, Colin Hanks, Martin Freeman, Kirsten Dunst, Patrick Wilson, Jesse Plemons. Others well known figures include Jean Smart, Ted Danson, Ewan McGregor, Carrie Coon, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Goran Bogdan and David Thewlis. If you are going to watch this, you will need more than two days of constant binge-watching for sure!

Dark

This is the first German-language Netflix original series and is a great watch if you are fine with watching a show with subtitles or are fluent in the German language! The show revolves around a fictional town in Germany where children start to disappear mysteriously. This bring out the dark past, the double lives and the broken relationships of four families in the town. This show is often compared to Netflix’s Stranger Things. It has one season with 10 episodes with a run time of 45 to 57 minutes each.

The People Vs O.J Simpson: American Crime Story

This series is based on Jeffrey Toobin’s book, The Run of His Life: The People v. O. J. Simpson (1997) and revolves around the Nicole Simpson murder case. In 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman were found stabbed to death outside Nicole’s condominium in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles and O.J. Simpson was the prime suspect for the murders. O.J Simpson is a former American running back. He was a well known figure at the time. The story follows how the trials for the same went and how, finally (Spoiler alert) he was acquitted. This mini-series is a part of American Crime Story. The series has 10 episodes ranging from 41 minutes to 1 hour 6 minutes each.

November 10, 2018
5 Shows To Binge Watch On Netflix This Weekend

The weekend is here and it is time to catch up on some TV series that are definitely a must watch. Here is a list of 5 Netflix series to binge watch and relax during the weekend.(Note: Click on Titles to visit Netflix.)

The Haunting of Hill House

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9OzG53VwIk

The Netflix show is based up on the gothic horror novel that was written by Shirley Jackson in 1959. Hill House is an eighty year old villa in an unspecified location in the middle of hills built by the deceased Hugh Crain. The plot concerns 4 main characters:Dr John Montague, a super natural investigator; Theodora and Eleanor Vance who are invited to the villa by Dr John as they have previously experienced some paranormal events and, Luke Sanderson the young heir to the hill house. The plot revolves around their stay in the Haunted Hill House.

Better Cal Saul

Another Netflix original series that follows the life of the character Saul Goodman about six years prior to the events of infamous Breaking Bad. In 2002, Saul Goodman who is a former con artist tries to follow a legitimate career as an aspiring lawyer in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He seeks to become a partner in the law firm in which his older brother Charles “Chuck” McGill is a senior partner. At the same time, another character Jimmy frequently takes care of Chuck, who claims to have electromagnetic hypersensitivity. Scattered among Jimmy’s activities are the prior histories of other Breaking Bad characters, including Gus Fring, Hector Salamanca and Mike Ehrmantraut.

Dynasty:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-XSKMcobpU

The series begins with heiress Fallon Carrington who is unhappy to find her billionaire father Blake engaged to Cristal, a rival employee at the family company. When Fallon’s plot to separate the couple backfires and cost her a promotion, she allies with Blake’s rival and former employee, Jeff Colby, and strikes on her own. Meanwhile, the arrival of Cristal’s opportunistic nephew Sam-who becomes romantically involved with Fallon’s brother Steven who threatens to expose her shady past.

Little Things:

This is the second instalment to the Indian TV series Little things from 2016. The show revolves around the sweet little moments experienced by a young couple in their everyday life. The main characters of the show are Kavya and Dhruv, played by Mithila Palkar and Dhruv Sehgal.

Fightworld:

This Netflix Original TV series documents the pains and hardships real fighters go through in their daily lives. In every episode of Fight World, Frank Grillo – the lead character goes to a different country. He looks for a new gym with the most dangerous men and trains with those deadly fighters.

October 13, 2018
Iron Fist Season 2 Trailer Packs A Solid Punch

The second season of Marvel’s Iron Fist is right around the corner and we can’t be more excited. The trailer to season 2 of the Netflix original provides insights into the great improvements made this time. Improved action choreography, addition of characters and costumes and a new action coordinator has fans and critics excited the same. Iron Fist is the story of a young boy who was the lone survivor of a place crash which killed his parents. Found by a group of warrior monks, they trained him in the city of K’un-Lun to be a fierce warrior. He then returns to New York to claim his right to his fathers company and destroy the evil plaguing the city.

Supposed to be one of the greatest martial artists in the Marvel Universe, the first season of Iron Fist was kind of a let down in that sense. Instead of using his great powers to sail through any fight, each encounter was a bit of a struggle. This made the sequences pretty plain, boring and repetitive. With the great power of the Iron Fist, he should have been portrayed as more of a superhero rather than a street fighter, critics argue.

Netflix has finally found a way to address that issue. The addition of action choreographer Clayton Barber is a welcome change. He brings along experience from Creed and Marvel’s critically acclaimed Black Panther. Along with this, the actors have reportedly been training for extended periods of time. The lead, Finn Jones had been specially training months prior to the principal photography on the second season began. This will allow the actors to have a ‘flow’ in their movements, which will seem more natural.

Releasing on September 7th on Netflix, the second season also brings along new elements. What looks like a costume and the ‘Iron Fist Mask’ is something that will add to the identity of the protagonist. This season will also mark the entry of the villain Typhoid Mary played by Alice Eve. Watch the trailer for the second season below.

August 30, 2018
Top 5 Netflix Shows To Binge Watch This Week

Netflix brought its streaming service platform to India in January 2016. Ever since its release, many people have switched over to online TV streaming services instead of the conventional satellite television. Following Netflix, Amazon also released their streaming service called the Prime Video which comes bundled with the Amazon Prime membership. A Netflix membership starts from Rs. 500 for a single screen and goes all the way to Rs. 800 for a total of four screens sharing a single account simultaneously. In this rainy season, it is rather difficult to make weekend plans with friends to go outside. For this very reason, we have compiled a list of Top 5 Netflix shows anyone can binge watch this week.

Also Read: Apple May Have Plans to Acquire Netflix

1. Rick And Morty

This American Sci-Fi animated show which was created by Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon. The show aired in The US on Cartoon Network for their late night program block called the Adult Swim. This dark humoured show is also available on Netflix in India. We decided to put in the list of Top 5 Netflix shows because it has all the elements expected from a good show. To start with, the art direction for the show contains blood and gore which is depicted in a way which is quite unique to the show. The show also does not shy away from playing with colours and character variations. While we the two protagonists of the show get the most screen time, the show also gives other characters a proper background. Justin Roiland, who is also one of the creators of the show, is the voice behind both Rick and Morty. What is worth noting here is that while Rick is a drunk super genius scientist, Morty is a timid schoolboy and Rick’s grandson. Justin manages to pull off both of these voices exceptionally well.

2. Final Space

This is again an animated, dark humoured, Sci-Fi show which launched recently. Final Space is about a character named Gary imprisoned on a spaceship. Gary also has a side-kick named Mooncake, these characters take us through a journey filled with intergalactic adventures. The show has a unique way of storytelling which caught our attention. Going back and forth in time, we see all the events which transpired to lead to the current situation which the protagonist finds himself in. Again, the art direction here also has a colourful vibe and a lot of gruesome shots. While an animated show, we definitely do not recommend this for kids.

3. Stranger Things

While Stranger Things tells a story about many characters, the main focus is on a female protagonist, Eleven (Millie Bobbie Brown). This show has a very rusty vibe which is very well depicted through its cinematography. The way that the plot thickens with each episode is one of the reasons why this is on our list of Top 5 Netflix shows. This Sci-Fi show has it all, alternate dimension, giant scary aliens, telepathy. While the show has a lot of funny moments, the overall tone is quite serious. Anything more about the show and it will be a borderline spoiler. If you for some reason already haven’t watched this show, you should start ASAP.

4. The Ranch

In our list of Top 5 Netflix shows, the Ranch has some of the most critically acclaimed actors. Known for movies like The Big Lebowski, and his moustache, Sam Elliot plays the role of a rancher, Beau Bennett. Beau is a father of two sons, Colt (played by Ashton Kutcher) and Rooster Bennett (Danny Masterson). The show also casts Elisha Cuthbert known for her role in The Girl Next Door. This is a family-friendly show about how these characters try to run a ranch while facing all the hardships life throws their way.

5. Sacred Games

This Netflix original show has the potential to change the way we think about the Indian television. The show breaks free from the “Saas-bahu” genre and offers a very interesting story about a police inspector, Sartaj Singh. Sacred Games tells the story of how Sartaj Singh (played by Saif Ali Khan) who is working on a case of a popular Mumbai gangster, Ganesh Gaitonde (Nawazuddin Siddiqui). The show also has a soundtrack by the artist DIVINE known for his unique rapping style and lyrics.

While Netflix has a lot of shows worth binge-watching, the above mentioned are some of the shows we feel are worth starting your weekend with. The shows are not listed in any particular order since each targets a very different story arch and audience. We will be bringing more of these Top lists so stay tuned.

Have something to add? Leave a Comment Below!

August 8, 2018
Five Netflix Originals To Binge Watch

Weekend plans, for a lot of people, revolve around what’s new on Netflix. Right from Sci-Fi to Standup Comedy, the video streaming service has some of the best content available. So, we have listed the top 5 Netflix Originals you need to binge-watch this week.

Ricky Gervais: Humanity

Cast: Ricky Gervais

Duration: 1 hour 18 minutes

If you love standup comedy and don’t get offended very easily, then the new Ricky Gervais Netflix special is a treat to watch. The 1 hour 18 minutes long standup special takes a dig at everyone from the society to some famed celebrities. While some people had doubts because of the effect of a seven-year hiatus, Gervais, in his typical snarky style, addresses that, too.

The last few minutes see Gervais narrate a personal story with a brilliant ending. A fan of Brit humour or not, this special from Ricky Gervais is something special!

Jessica Jones

Cast: Krysten Ritter, Rachael Taylor, Janet McTeer, Eka Darville

No. Of Episodes: 13

Marvel has been killing it in the cinema business. Marvel and Netflix have struck up a great partnership as well in the TV sphere. What started with Daredevil and crumbled a bit with The Defenders, Jessica Jones season 2 revives it. The second season follows the dark and sarcastic Jessica Jones in the aftermath of Killgrave’s death. All this while, she also deals with now being a superhero, constantly defying the fact that she isn’t one.

The rise in popularity of ‘special people’ plays an important part in the narrative as well. Patsy Walker, this season, has a great character arc which takes an unexpected turn during the fag end of the season. With 13 episodes, this season is the perfect binge-watching material this weekend!

Altered Carbon

Cast: Joel Kinnaman, Martha Higareda, Dichen Lachman, James Purefoy

No. Of Episodes: 10

A TV series that so far, has divided many opinions. Altered Carbon is a cyberpunk TV series that isn’t for everyone. While the show looks extremely beautiful and the dystopian world is almost believable, the show has a few shortcomings. The series, at its core, is a murder investigation with AI, replaceable human sleeves and some over-the-top characters.

However, beyond the spectacular, the human emotions and especially the connection between key characters are lost. That being said, Altered Carbon is worth a shot thanks to its visuals and the representation of a mindboggling dystopian world.

The Confession Tapes

No. Of Episodes: 7

Although an old show, The Confession Tapes is a chilling docuseries about people coerced into confessing a crime. The series breaks down six cases in the US where specially trained police officers allegedly influenced innocent people into confessing crimes they did not commit.

From a mother believing she killed her daughter to a man committing to having drowned his own kids, the series sheds light on the gruesome process of interrogation in the US. While there are a couple of episodes that show the stone cold coercion in confession, a few episodes really leave you questioning the suspect and whether they actually committed the crime or were fed some lies.

The Punisher

Cast: Jon Bernthal, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ben Barnes, Amber Rose Revah

No. Of Episodes: 13

The second season of Daredevil showed us to what extent Wilson Fisk will go to attain his goal. But, it also showed us a glimpse of a very unusual bromance between Daredevil and the Punisher. The character of Frank Castle/Punisher was well-received in Daredevil Season 2 which pushed Netflix into giving the character its own standalone series.

Jon Bernthal plays The Punisher and completely owns it. A few minutes into the series and you can’t imagine someone else playing this manic character. The series falters in the middle and unlike Jessica Jones, the flashback episode barely solves its purpose. However, the last three episodes are worth the drop in the middle.

March 26, 2018
Top 5 Shows On Netflix You Should Watch This Weekend

Netflix India still doesn’t stream Friends yet which might be called an abomination by a few. But, Netflix has recently added some amazing shows to its repertoire while one of the most famous TV series ever released its new season. So, if your plan for the weekend is to Netflix and chill, then these five shows need to be on your list:

Dark

If watching Narcos was tough with all the Spanish being thrown around, then Dark can cause another level of confusion for us non-German speaking peoplem, if we don’t pay attention that is. The first-ever German language Netflix original has elements of Stranger Things and Twin Peaks but, has its own twists to make it a brilliant little series. The show has everything from time travel to corporate conspiracy set in a small town of Winden, Germany. The first season has 10 episodes and Netflix has already announced that the show will return for a second season. Without giving much away about the show, it follows the lives of people of a small town in Germany and the secrets surrounding a nuclear plant. Secrets start unravelling when kids from around the town start disappearing. The series has a supernatural angle but, tries to justify the events through science.

Black Mirror

This British black comedy gained mainstream attention when Netflix bought the rights after its second season. The dystopian thriller is an analogy and the fourth season consists of six episodes. The show examines modern society, particularly with regard to the unanticipated consequences of new technologies. Even though it is considered to be a comedy and satire, there are a few episodes of Black Mirror where it is tough to laugh at something which might be true in the coming years. The fourth season of the show along with the previous seasons is streaming on Netflix right now.

Mindhunter

Sometimes, it is hard to fathom that what you’re watching is based on real events that happened to real people. Mindhunter takes you through a similar journey. The series follows two FBI detectives who travel from city to city interviewing convicted serial killers to build a profile of a serial killers. It is a fascinating yet sometimes gut-wrenching story of how the term “serial killer” was coined. Excellent performances and great cinematography combined with a satisfying story arch make the Mindhunter an absolutely brilliant series. It will be surprising if Mindhunter doesn’t bag a few awards this year.

Manhunt: Unabomber

Another series based on real events, Manhunt: Unabomber has received a lot of media attention for apparently fictionalising the events that lead to the capture of the infamous Unabomber. Agent Jim Fitzgerald is a new profiler on the FBI block and immediately becomes an integral part of the country’s longest and costliest manhunt till now. It is a fascinating deep dive into the trials and tribulations of a law enforcement officer looking for the most famous terrorist the country had ever known until that point. With great actors like Paul Bettany and Chris Noh, the series is a visual and mental treat for the lovers of a good police drama.

The Sinner

There have been numerous TV series and movies that chronicle a murder investigation. But, what leads to a murder? What is going on inside the head of a person while committing the crime? The Sinner, a gripping mini-series tries to unravel just that. The series follows the aftermath of a murder on the beach in a small town as the detective in charge tries to find the reason behind the main character’s abrupt actions. The main character, Cora Tannetti is played Jessica Beil who is also the executive producer of the show delivers an outstanding performance. The series consists of eight episodes, just enough to help you through a lazy Sunday!

January 5, 2018
Apple May Have Plans to Acquire Netflix

Apple has long been rumoured to be be working on a TV subscription streaming service to be integrated into their “TV” app on iOS devices and on the Apple TV. With Netflix already at the top of the list of subscription-based streaming services. Apple may likely be setting its eyes on the acquisition of Netflix. An analyst claims that there is a 40% likelihood that Apple will acquire Netflix now that US President Trump’s corporate tax cut has been passed.

The cut in corporate taxes, along with a one-time allowance for companies to repatriate cash stored overseas without a major tax hit, will give Apple a much larger cash surplus to buy new companies. Apple has over $ 250 Billion in available cash, which is stored in tax havens outside of the US, which the company will now be able to bring back to the US thanks to the new tax cuts.

Apple’s list of potential acquisitions contains a few companies, but Netflix tops this list according to the Analysts. This list includes companies like Activision, Electronic-Arts, Take-two, Hulu, Disney and even Tesla. However this was written before Disney’s acquisition of Fox’s studio and TV assets.

Apple will need to pay only 10% to bring this cash back to America, and Netflix acquisition could cost the company as much at US $ 75 Billion . Still leaving the company strong with 2/3rds of their existing cash and with this number increasing at the rat of US $ 50 Billion each year, Apple could be eyeing other potential investments.

This move will also allow Apple to establish a stronghold in the streaming space the company has been eyeing for several years. With Apple Music service already a huge success, a movie/tv series streaming service will only add to Apple’s revenue.

January 2, 2018
Netflix Wants to be a Premium Service Provider in India

Netflix has made comments which are bound to ruffle some feathers across the country. The company declares that it aims to be a premium service provider, not meant for the average consumer in India.

“We are after a small base of English-speaking people, who travel abroad, are wealthy and want to watch the latest shows that are being launched in the US,” said a senior Netflix executive.

The company has made sure that payment of its services can only be made through a credit card, already putting a filter for the choice of its users. Netflix launched in India last month with the Basic plan that costs Rs. 500 per month, and the Premium one which is priced at Rs. 800 per month. Users can try the service for free for the first one month by signing up at www.netflix.com/in.

Modeling itself as a premium brand is undoubtedly a tried and tested marketing strategy. At the expense of being dubbed as elitist, brands all over have tried similar tactics, and it has worked wonders for them -Apple being an example. Let’s see how the Indian consumer reacts to this. Let us know what you think of this move by Netflix in the comments below.

February 2, 2016
Should You Subscribe to Netflix in India?

Netflix announced that its taking measures to stop subscribers that use proxies in order to stream shows and movies that are only available outside their own country. “In coming weeks, those using proxies and unblockers will only be able to access the service in the country where they currently are,” David Fullagar, Netflix’s VP of content delivery architecture, wrote in a blog post. “We are confident this change won’t impact members not using proxies.”

The internet streaming giant recently went global at CES 2016, launching its services in a number of new countries including India. However, the launch of Netflix also comes with a few potholes. Let’s have a look at some of the pros and cons of having Netflix in India, and whether those who have been eagerly awaiting the service should go for it or not.

Pros

Netflix is Completely Legal

Online streaming, be it music or videos, is the next big thing. Gone are the days of actually owning physical CDs and a DVD player (Well, almost). And rightly so, when one can now find all the content available online. The only contention is does one take the privacy route or does one go completely legit. The problem was for a long time that privacy allowed people to get the latest of content in entertainment quickly through torrents and other ways that aren’t legal.

Netflix, however, is one of those companies out there that’s trying to fight online piracy. It’s channel and the contents are completely legal and are available though subscription. Yes, you have to pay, but it is worth given the content Netflix is offering.

Censor Board’s Got Nothing on Netflix

Netflix is completely and 100% uncensored. In a country where the censor board is looming around every corner, waiting to censor explicit (even mildly explicit) content. Netflix, however, does not fall under the jurisdiction of the censor board, as of now. And there are some shows and movies out there that just need to be seen the way they were meant to be seen. So for those who just abhor the beeps and cuts when enjoying their favorite movies and shows on television, can watch them uncensored on Netflix.

Netflix Guarantees Top Notch Quality, No Pop Ups

Being a paid service mean subscribers expect some benefits. When it comes to watching videos (and streaming them more importantly), one expects quality and clarity. This is what Netflix promises with its service. The Subscription plans are divided into three – the basic plan which costs Rs. 500 doesn’t provide HD quality, while the Rs. 650 and Rs. 800 plans do. The best choice for customers would be the middle one where HD quality and unlimited streaming are both offered. So, the one thing you can expect, if not anything else, is good streaming quality.

Another piggy back pro that can be included here is the lack of any pop ups or ads. While there are many free streaming sites available online that can give you shows and movies for free, these sites come cluttered with pop ups and possible viruses as well. So Netflix is the way to go for a clear screen with high quality streaming.

Anytime, Anywhere

This is the main selling point of any online streaming site. The whole idea is that you can watch your favorite content anytime across multiple devices. That’s the one downside to television, isn’t it? Fixed airing times mean that one is bound to miss out on some shows a or movie.

Netflix lets you watch any content (that’s available in its catalogue) anytime, and through laptop, mobile, tablet or even PlayStation and Xbox consoles. You can resume where you left off or binge through an entire season, the choice is yours.

Cons

Bandwidth Still a Problem in India

India is still catching up in terms of bandwidth. Speeds are good these days but still has a ways to go before we’re quite there in terms of seamless connectivity. Netflix is a guzzler of bandwidth and you will you require a decent broadband speed (2 mbps and above is good), and a ton of gigabytes in your plan. In effect, your total cost (subscription and broadband) will be above Rs 1000 at least.

Movies will drain a lot of data, be it on broadband or cellular, which means you will have to shell out a lot more for that. 3G connectivity will be needed while streaming and you may experience regular buffering.

Few Takers in the Indian Market

At least initially, Netflix in India is going to find a very niche audience. Many are yet unaccustomed to the online streaming site or the content it has to offer. Moreover, indian streaming sites like Hotstar already enjoys a huge population and these sites also deliver a great variety of Indian content, more so than Netflix. So, audience may prefer sticking to local streaming sites rather than dabble outside.

Lack of a Full Catalogue

Netflix subscribers do not have access to a lot of content due to a number of restrictions that are country specific. Netflix has arrived in India with a number of shows and movies that are still wanting. In order for subscribers in India, for example, to stream a show like House of Cards (which is unavailable on Netflix India), they would have had to bypass their own country and jump on to say the US region using proxy applications to watch the show. This is due to television channels owning exclusive rights to broadcast these shows in India.

The practice of using VPN, proxies and unblocking tools to bypass viewing restrictions has become pretty common these days. Indeed, since the launch of Netflix India, a number of stories have emerged online suggesting applications and tools with which one can do this. Netflix says it is working on bringing a full catalogue of content everywhere, and is working hard to stop proxy access.

While the pros and cons seem evenly matched, there is no denying that Netflix is here to stay. Despite not having a full catalogue, Netflix has some pretty great shows on offer which are definitely binge worthy. The first month is free so there’s no harm in trying it out before you make up your mind, is there? We suggest you start binging on Black Mirror, Narcos, Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Orange is the New Black, for starters. Lastly, their original content is brilliant so go ahead, Netflix and chill!

January 15, 2016
After Apple Music Apple Working on Video Streaming Service Like Netflix

Apple had busy year with Apple music, launching it on iOS and then on Android. The Apple music service made available globally received raving reviews especially in countries like India where cost of subscription was very little.

“Apple Video” is the company’s next big project with many partners involved, such as ABC, CBS, and Fox. Apple already has a large library of movies and video on its iTunes Store, which can currently be only bought or rented.

Apple has already worked out details with Sony Pictures, Universal and disney and may be negotiation with some other studios. NBCUniversal is reportedly not on board due to a feud between Apple and NBC parent company Comcast.

Apple has been working on a video streaming service, according to the rumour mill, for the past six years. It seems 2016 will be the year of release. With the recent news of Netflix going global and launching in 190 countries worldwide, Apple may have to move fast if it wants to get on with the competition.

With most new Apple devices supporting 4k content, Apple may launch the service with UHD streaming keeping in mind the new line of Apple TV units which have hardware capable of streaming 4k video. It may be a simple matter or turning on the feature via a software update.

Jimmy Lovine, who joined Apple with as part of the Beats acquisition, said:

We all know one thing, we all have different television delivery systems, don’t we all wish that the delivery systems were better, as far as curation and service? They’re all technically good. And Netflix is starting to cross the code because they’re starting to make some original content. It is really good, but still I mean none of us make movies here right, so we’re all punters, or what do you call them in the music business, fans right? We want to watch movies. Sit down with your girlfriend or a bunch of friends and try to find a movie online. That box helps you none — it doesn’t help. You’re on your own. And eventually that will catch them unless somebody digs in and really helps the customer. And entertainment needs that, it needs to live and breathe.

Apple will start the pricing for the video streaming service for US $20 as the base package and It’s claimed that the service will offer around 25 different channels, with the likes of ABC, CBS and Fox being lined up as partners.

Only time will tell if Apple does launch this service which they have, reportedly, been working on since 2009. And if they do will it impact the already wrong hold that Netflix is set to gather in the next few years.

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January 8, 2016
Netflix Available Globally

Netflix arrives in India -guess who can finally use the phrase “Netflix and chill”? The announcement was made during a keynote by Co-founder and Chief Executive Reed Hastings at CES 2016, while the service went live simultaneously.

Netflix is now available in 190 countries and needless to say, India is one of them. Viewers can now stream their favourite movies and TV shows on almost any Internet-connected device like smartphones, computers or tablets.

The Basic plan costs Rs. 500 per month while the Premium one is priced at Rs. 800 per month. Users can try the service for free for the first one month by signing up at www.netflix.com/in . Which Netflix show will you be streaming first? Let us know in the comments below.

January 7, 2016
Netflix May Finally Launch in India

Popular video-streaming service Netflix is finally going to come to India, according to reports by Hindu Business Line. The announcement of Netflix in India will likely be made at the upcoming Consumer Electronic Show 2016 that will take place in the coming weeks. Netflix has been eying India for a while now, but did not make any headway due to piracy and slow internet speeds in the country.

Now, it looks like the company is ready to launch its service in the country and will tie up with an Indian telecom company for its 4G network. Presumably, this company will be Airtel as currently it is the only operator in the country that has made its mark in the 4G domain, though Reliance is joining in too, having launched its 4G service for its employees just last week.

Netflix is a subscription-based service where one can stream television programmes and movies legally. The service is well established in over 50 countries with around 62 million subscribers. The company has also expressed interest in entering Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea markets by early 2016. We’ll have to wait and see if fans in India will finally be able to enjoy binging on their favourites shows on Netflix soon.

January 1, 2016
Netflix is Heading to the Middle East

Netflix, the internet media streaming service, is planning to widen its reach by entering into the Middle East. The service is looking to target a population of 370 million, which includes a young, media hungry demographic.

John Evers, vice president and head of communications for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Netflix, confirmed plans of expansion by the end of next year. “We plan to complete our global expansion by the end of 2016. Of course the Middle East is part of that, hence our hiring,” he told the IGN Middle East gaming news website.

Starz, IcFlix, Telly and OSN Play are some OTT subscription services that already exist in the Middle East and have received a fair bit of subscribers already, which suggest that the market is ready for the big one.

Icflix was launched in 2013 and reportedly has 250,000 subscribers across the Middle East and North Africa, which include Egypt, Morocco, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia. The streaming service offers Hollywood, Bollywood, and Arab content which include Egyptian productions as well.

Meanwhile, Netflix currently caters to over 69 million subscribers in more than 50 countries. Netflix is on a global expansion mode and is expected to cross 100 million subscribers in 2018. India is yet to receive the service, and we may just hear something on that front soon enough given that India has a a huge number of OTT subscribers as well.

October 29, 2015