Netflix is launching its video streaming service in the Netherlands charging EUR7.99 per month.
The Netherlands marks Netflix’s 41st country of operations. The move was first announced by the company in June.
The online movie and TV show company now has more than 37 million streaming customers around the world, with about 30 million in the U.S.
CEO Reed Hastings said in a statement that the Dutch have “incredible” broadband, but “haven’t been able to take full advantage of their fast connections until Netflix’s arrival.”
Programming on offer includes Netflix originals and exclusives House of Cards, Hemlock Grove, Arrested Development, Orange is the New Black and Derek, TV series including Dexter, Homeland, Lost, Modern Family, Pretty Little Liars, Spartacus and The Vampire Diaries, Scandinavian miniseries The Killing and The Bridge as well as Dutch productions.
Movies include The Kite Runner, The King’s Speech, Kill Bill – Vol.2 and The Expendables.
Netflix is available on PCs, Macs, a variety of smart phones and internet players as well as on smart TVs from LG, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony and Toshiba.
Broadcaster RTL is preparing to compete with Netflix as it will launch its own SVOD service later this fall using the Videoland brand.
For the past few months the company has been negotiating VOD rights with major studios – in competition with premium broadcasters HBO and Chellomedia’s Film1, who both offer linear channels (three HBO and five Film1) as well as SVOD and TV Everywhere services.
Editor’s note. It will be interesting to see if Netflix will strike a similar deal in the Netherlands as it did with Virgin in the UK, marking the first agreement between an OTT provider and an establsihed cable platform.
