Apparently this device has heaps of users here in Australia.
Is the US Netflix library that good?
It won’t work for me anyway because apparently it re-routes back to the US and slows down the streaming speed… you really need a good NBN connection for it to work.
The US Netflix library is much better than Australia’s, I suspect mostly in the TV Show category.
You can now download and store Movies and TV Shows on your SD Card with the Android App
WHAT’S NEW
Netflix subscribers still watch (some) commercial TV
One in four Australian homes now have a Netflix subscription, Roy Morgan’s latest data to the end of 2016 shows. An estimated 5,862,000 Australians aged 14+ (29.5%) now have access to the subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service (via 2,268,000 household subscriptions).
Netflix subscribers watch less commercial TV than others – but this is not simply because they now have SVOD in the home. Many subscribers were already watching less commercial TV, which was a driving reason to subscribe in the first place.
Among today’s Netflix subscribers, 18% still watch a heavy amount of commercial television (classified as more than three hours on a normal weekday), and another 20% watch a medium amount of two to three hours. 42% watch less than two hours’ worth, and the remaining 20% say they don’t watch any at all on a regular Monday to Friday.
Michele Levine, CEO – Roy Morgan Research, said:
“Netflix finished 2016 in almost 2.3 million Australian homes. Commercial TV networks (and their advertisers) are right to be concerned about the popularity of SVOD, and how much attention it will ‘steal’ from free-to-air television.
“Many Netflix subscribers, especially in the early days, weren’t big viewers of commercial TV – so the industry wasn’t necessarily losing audiences it had to begin with. Heavy commercial TV viewers remain the least likely to have Netflix – however subscriptions among this group have grown over 50% in 2016, faster than any other viewing segment.
“Free-to-air networks, industry bodies and advertisers must now pay closer attention to SVOD subscription rates and usage habits among their heaviest viewers."
Netflix subscribers still watch (some) commercial TV
With Netflix series The Crown crowned Best Drama at the Golden Globe Awards, Roy Morgan Research reveals how many Australians have a subscription at home, how much commercial television they still watch, and why audience engagement will become the metric that matters for the broadcast networks.
One in four Australian homes now have a Netflix subscription, Roy Morgan’s latest data to the end of 2016 shows. An estimated 5,862,000 Australians aged 14+ (29.5%) now have access to the Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD) service (via 2,268,000 household subscriptions).
Netflix subscribers watch less commercial TV than others—but this is not simply because they have now have SVOD in the home. Many subscribers were already watching less commercial TV, which was a driving reason to subscribe in the first place.
Among today’s Netflix subscribers, 18 percent still watch a Heavy amount of commercial television (classified as more than three hours on a normal weekday), and another 20 percent watch a Medium amount of two to three hours. 42 percent watch less than two hours’ worth, and the remaining 20 percent say they don’t watch any at all on a regular Monday to Friday.
Of course, the majority of seven in 10 Australians don’t have Netflix in the home. Among them, 27 percent are Heavy Commercial TV viewers, 21 percent are Medium, 37 percent are Light and only 16 percent watch none on a typical weekday.
Percent of Australians spending time watching Commercial TV
Source: Roy Morgan Single Source, January to December 2016, sample = 50,144 Australians aged 14+ including 10,754 Netflix subscribers.
Michele Levine, CEO – Roy Morgan Research, says:
“Netflix finished 2016 in almost 2.3 million Australian homes. Commercial TV networks (and their advertisers) are right to be concerned about the popularity of SVOD, and how much attention it will ‘steal’ from free-to-air television.
“Many Netflix subscribers, especially in the early days, weren’t big viewers of commercial TV—so the industry wasn’t necessarily losing audiences it had to begin with. Heavy commercial TV viewers remain the least likely to have Netflix—however subscriptions among this group have grown over 50 percent in 2016, faster than any other viewing segment.
“Free-to-air networks, industry bodies and advertisers must now pay closer attention to SVOD subscription rates and usage habits among their heaviest viewers.
“One core issue will be how heavy commercial TV viewers use Netflix, and other SVOD services such as Stan, if and when they do subscribe. Will it be only for a weekly movie, a series binge-viewed over a weekend, or become the first port of call every time the TV is turned on?
“In large part, this will all come down to viewers’ engagement with particular TV shows. Roy Morgan measures how much of each show’s audience loves it, especially chooses to watch, has a household member in control of the remote, or is tuned in only because there’s nothing else on. As SVOD grows (and offers award-winning ‘must-see’ new shows such as The Crown), networks and advertisers won’t be able to rely on reaching unengaged viewers.
”The time is now to start focusing on audience engagement. Multiple broadcast channels, live streaming and catch-up platforms should give the commercial TV networks the ability to offer highly engaging programming to all different segments, keeping them tuned in and upholding free-to-air as the go-to at-home entertainment option.”
Qantas Wi-Fi to get a workout with Foxtel, Netflix and Spotify on board
Qantas customers on Wi-Fi enabled domestic flights will be able to watch their favourite shows, avoid missing out on live sport and listen to almost any song they like, with Foxtel, Netflix and Spotify coming on board to provide content in 2017.
With speeds up to 10 times faster than conventional inflight Wi-Fi, Qantas will offer customers video and audio streaming when the service is switched on its first domestic aircraft in late February this year. The rest of the airline’s fleet of domestic Boeing 737 and Airbus A330 aircraft will follow from mid-2017 onwards.*
The faster connection speeds – which enable streaming – are made possible through the nbn Sky Muster™ satellite service and represents a significant upgrade over older satellite technology accessed by most airlines around the world. The service uses idle data capacity, with the signal reaching the aircraft as it flies through the satellite’s 101 spot beams across Australia.
Qantas Group Executive of Brand, Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Olivia Wirth, said that fast, free internet will open up a huge range of options for customers inflight.
“We know that email, online shopping and general web browsing will be popular uses when we switch on Wi-Fi, but what a lot of people relish about flying is being able to catch up on their favourite TV shows or watch movies they didn’t get to see at the cinema,” said Mrs Wirth.
“Foxtel and Netflix both have huge catalogues that are expanding all the time, so there will be no shortage of entertainment on board.
“The usage data from the collection of albums we already have on our aircraft shows that music is a great way for passengers to relax as they watch the world fly by. Spotify will open this up so you can listen to virtually any song you like,” she added.
While Foxtel, Netflix and Spotify are all paid subscription services, they will offer free access to Qantas customers on and off the aircraft for between three days and one month after their Qantas flight. Specifically:
Foxtel will offer three days free access to its Foxtel app every time a customer flies, allowing customers to stream live sports, news and TV shows as well as its full range of on-demand content. No sign-up to a subscription is required.
Netflix will offer new customers access to the entire Netflix service as part of a 30-day free trial. Existing Netflix members only need to log in to continue watching at no extra charge.
Spotify will offer a 30 day free trial of its Premium music service, which has no ads, shuffle play and unlimited skips.
(Note – both Netflix and Spotify require customers to sign-up to a subscription to access the free trial.)
Customers will log on to the Qantas inflight Wi-Fi via their own devices, and will be greeted by a landing page with a range of options (see attached images). As well as links to access Netflix, Spotify and Foxtel, this page will feature real-time flight data; hotel, restaurant and transport options at your destination; the latest weather; and personalised information linked to your itinerary and Frequent Flyer account. Streaming of Sky News Australia will also be available.
Qantas is in discussion with a range of content partners on ways to improve the on board experience using
Wi-Fi.
In November 2016, Qantas installed ViaSat satellite-receiving equipment on its first 737 to be Wi-Fi enabled. Hardware and software testing is underway on this aircraft, ahead of the service being switched on for customers soon.
*Qantas is also currently in talks with suppliers to extend Wi-Fi services onto its international and regional (QantasLink) fleets to develop a product that can overcome a number of technical, performance and coverage challenges, including options for Wi-Fi over large stretches over water, which will deliver a quality service that meets the expectations of Qantas’ customers.
COMMENTS FROM CONTENT PARTNERS
FOXTEL
Brian Walsh, Executive Director of Television at Foxtel said, “We are delighted to be able to extend our partnership with Qantas to support this great new service for passengers. With access to Foxtel both while flying and on the ground afterwards, Qantas passengers will enjoy some of the best live and on-demand content that Foxtel has to offer.
“Qantas passengers will also have access to Foxtel’s deep and extensive library of new and returning signature drama and entertainment programming. In February and March alone these include HBO’s highly anticipated new drama Big Little Lies, staring Nicole Kidman and Reece Witherspoon, The Walking Dead, Call the Midwife, The Real Housewives of Sydney, Selling Houses Australia, The Flash, Arrow, Divorce, The Mick, Gogglebox and much more, plus all past episodes of blockbusters such as Game of Thrones”.
NETFLIX
“Qantas is at the forefront of providing free and fast inflight wi-fi to their Australian customers,” said Bill Holmes, Netflix’s global head of business development. “Now passengers can settle in and enjoy The Crown, Black Mirror and more shows and movies on their own devices, whenever they want.”
SPOTIFY spotify.com/qantas
“Travel is an experience made better with music and at 40,000 feet music fans will now be able to access all their favourite Spotify playlists or discover a world of music from our catalogue of over 30 million tracks,” said Kate Vale, Managing Director at Spotify Australia & New Zealand.
“We are excited to be working with Qantas on innovating and enhancing the customer experience in-flight by offering access to Spotify’s award-winning service on Wi-Fi enabled Qantas flights,” she added.
In an attempt to lessen the burden, Netflix is set to introduce new technology that will improve the picture and streaming quality when watching content on your mobile or tablet device, while simultaneously reducing the amount of data it takes to watch your favourite shows.
Netflix Inc.’s US and international subscriber growth slowed in the first quarter, coming in below expectations, though profit grew as content costs were lower than anticipated, reports The Wall Street Journal.
The Los Gatos, California, company reported 98.75 million total subscribers, up from 81.5m a year ago.
Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected 98.9m subscribers overall. The company said in a shareholder letter that it is on track to surpass 100m subscribers this week.
The company added 3.53m international subscribers in the quarter, missing its guidance of 3.7m.
In the year-ago quarter, it added 4.51m international customers. Its US subscriber growth slowed, as it added 1.42m customers, falling short of its target of 1.5m. It added 2.23m US customers in the prior-year period.
Netflix ended the first quarter with 50.85m US customers and 47.9m international customers.
Netflix Study Reveals If You Want to Feel Closer to Your Teen, Watch Their Shows
Netflix Survey Reveals That 80% of Parents Have Watched a Show Their Teen Watches Just to Feel Closer to Them and Surprise, Teens Welcome It
Each day, many parents around the world are eager to connect with their teens, and contrary to popular belief teens really do want to open up. With 70% of parents and 66% of teens wishing they had more to talk about with one another, we are left wondering where’s the common ground? Turns out, entertainment is the answer.
Are parents seriously watching their teens favorite shows?
Parents admit (80%) they are already watching shows like Arrow, Pretty Little Liars and Stranger Things to feel closer to their teenager. And three quarters (74%) of teens are on board, saying they’d be interested in talking to parents about the shows they watch, with both sides (89% of parents; 70% of teens) seeing it as a strong way to bond.
Bridging the conversation gap.
While 56% of parents think it’s tough to talk to teens, nearly all parents (93%) around the world feel that watching their TV shows will give them more to talk about and 78% of teens agree. Not only that, but watching your teen’s shows every now and then inspires more than just small talk.
Tackling tough topics.
When it comes to tough conversations (think sex, bullying and stress), parents (79%) and teens (65%) agree that watching the same shows could help start a dialogue. And most teens (71%) even admit that having their parents watch their favorite shows could help them better understand what’s going on in their lives.
So what should parents be watching?
According to teens, content found in shows like Arrow, Breaking Bad, Daredevil, Friends, Grey’s Anatomy and Orange is the New Black might give parents and teens more to talk about and even help parents better relate to them.
Want to see what happens when parents watch their teen’s shows?
https://youtu.be/9IR8h8t4irI
Netflix announces 400 new jobs in Europe and two new European original series
Expanding workforce complements $1.75bn investment in European content, with at least six new Netflix European original projects to be announced in 2017
Netflix, the world’s leading global internet TV service, has announced the creation of 400 jobs at its new European customer service hub which opened this week in Amsterdam. Supporting customers across 11 European countries (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden and the UK), the multilingual hub will employ initially a workforce of 170, growing to 345 by the end of 2017 and surpassing 400 by the end of 2018.*
Amsterdam is the location also of Netflix’s recently expanded European, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) headquarters, which has doubled its workforce since the beginning of 2016.** More than 120 employees from 18 countries work at the EMEA HQ in business development, marketing, PR, public policy and corporate functions such as finance, legal and recruiting.
The ongoing expansion of Netflix’s workforce in Europe complements the company’s ever-growing investment in European productions (licensed, original and co-productions). Marking the global launch last month of Las Chicas del Cable, Netflix’s first original series from Spain, the company confirmed plans to announce at least six new European original projects before the end of 2017. The first of these, Dogs of Berlin, was announced on 28 April and will be written, produced and shot in Germany before launching in 2018. The second, a new French original called Osmosis, was announced today and is expected to begin production in France in 2018. Netflix has committed more than $1.75 billion to European productions since entering Europe in 2012, including to date more than 90 original productions in various stages of development.
“We are delighted to announce the creation of jobs in Europe and the opening of our new customer service hub in Amsterdam, as well as two new European original series. Europe is a creative centre for great storytelling that resonates around the world and we continue to invest in European content,” said Reed Hastings, Netflix co-founder and CEO.
“The decision by Netflix to add a customer support centre along with its EMEA headquarters in Amsterdam illustrates that our business climate is exactly what leading companies are seeking when investing in their future,” said Jeroen Nijland, Commissioner for Foreign Investment, Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA). “The Netherlands’ fast internet speeds, e-commerce strengths and multilingual talent pool make our country a great match for the Netflix expansion to support its rapidly growing European market.”
Netflix has made the move to block the install of their Android app on any device that has been rooted or unlocked.
There isn’t much call for rooting Android these days is there?
Mine isn’t and hasn’t been for years. I guess this is more about those running a custom ROM such as LineageOS.
