WATCH VIDEO. Liberty Global has signed an agreement with Netflix that integrates the app into devices in more than 30 countries.
The new multi-year partnership follows the UK launch of Netflix on Virgin Media in 2013. Netflix will first roll out on the Horizon set-top-box on the Ziggo network in the Netherlands.
The app will only be available on Horizon devices, and will be rolled out during the next few months across Liberty Global’s footprint in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Netflix will only be available on boxes that are IP enabled and can handle the required DRM. The roll-out will advance to other countries as technological upgrades across all of Liberty Global’s operations through 2017.
“We are committed to bringing the best content to our customers, and are thrilled to expand our partnership with Netflix,” said Mike Fries, CEO of Liberty Global.
“This deal will provide even more freedom to our subscribers, and are thrilled to expand our partnership with Netflix. This deal will provide even more freedom to our subscribers, allowing them to access a goldmine of amazing TV and films at the click of a button, fully integrated into their usual TV Viewing set-up.”
“This partnership builds on our strong relationship with Virgin Media in the UK, allowing millions of our mutual customers around the world to easily access the broadest range of TV shows and movies without having to search fort hat other remote control. Combining the Netflix app, and all the great content it provides, into the familiar, easy-to-use cable box makes both more appealing.”
The offer will also include 4K content from Netflix, Bob Greene, managing director business development of Liberty Global, told Broadband TV News at the company’s Technology Summit 2016 in Amsterdam. He stressed that the Netflix deal marks the first global scale agreement of this kind for Liberty Global.
Netflix content will be integrated into Horizon’s search engine. “All worlds in one place,” as Greene summed it up.
Current subscribers can log in with their account details and gain access. New customers can sign up, but billing will be handled directly by Netflix, at least for the time being. However, Liberty Global will share revenues, but no details on the deal were released.
