Netflix confirms Oz launch date

Netflix has confirmed its Australian and New Zealand services will launch on March 24, available on all major broadband operators, some smart TVs, Apple TV, Google Chromecast and mobile devices.

The US streaming giant did not reveal the subscription price but it will almost certainly match rivals Stan’s A$10 (US$7.82) per month and Foxtel’s Presto Movies and Presto TV, which cost A$9.99 each or A$14.99 for both.

The line-up will include Netflix original series Marco Polo and House of Cards, its thrillers Bloodline and Sense8, sitcom Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Marvel’s Daredevil, DreamWorks Animation’s The Adventures of Puss in Boots and All Hail King Julien, plus the documentary Virunga.

Netflix had previously confirmed deals with The Walt Disney Company for first-run movies shared with Foxtel’s pay window and with Roadshow Entertainment for its library, as well as acquiring British dramas Broadchurch and The Tunnel.

It has also picked up Beyond Distribution’s children’s titles, plus content from ABC Commercial and indie distributors Madman, Transmission, Pinnacle and Rialto.

In Australia the platform is expected to be available free for six months via one telco, probably Optus, and one TV set manufacturer, as happened when it launched in markets such as the UK and Germany.

In a defensive move, Presto announced on Monday that both Presto Movies and Presto TV (the latter a JV with Seven West Media) will be free for 30 days for new subscribers.

Separately, Australia’s largest telco, Telstra, which is partnered with News Corp in pay TV platform Foxtel, announced it would sell the Presto services to its mobile customers from today, and soon to the 600,000-plus homes that have its digital set-top box T-Box.

At launch, Netflix will be available on all major broadband operators including Optus and iiNet (the latter marking the first un-metering agreement with a major ISP in Australia); smart TVs manufactured by Samsung, LG, Sony, Panasonic, Philips and HiSense; Fetch TV’s second-generation set-top box; Sony’s PlayStation 3 and 4; Microsoft’s Xbox 360 and Xbox One; and Nintendo’s Wii U.

Netflix won’t reveal pricing until the launch, when consumers will be able to purchase Netflix gift cards at participating Australian retailers including Woolworths, Coles, Big W, 7-Eleven, Australia Post and Officeworks.

The company will offer a single-stream standard-definition plan, two-stream high-definition plan and four-stream 4K ultra-high-definition “family” package.

Mobile users who sign up for specific plans offered by Vodafone in New Zealand will receive several months of prepaid Netflix service, while consumers purchasing Microsoft’s Xbox One at select stores will receive three months’ prepaid access for a limited time.