Netflix has developed as one of the most popular streaming services in the world. In fact, it’s so popular that its estimated value is over $117 billion. But the question is, How did this happen?
The streaming service has been successful because it’s always changing and innovating. It was one of the first streaming services to offer its content, and it was also one of the first to produce its series.
Today, Netflix continues to produce its content, and it’s also started to license content from other providers.
For example, the popular show “The Walking Dead” is unavailable on Netflix Australia because Foxtel owns it.
When the world’s leading streaming service finally arrived in Australia, the much-anticipated service caused a frenzy, with many people signing up in the first few days.
But how does Netflix Australia compare to the American version?
With that, it has completely disrupted the entertainment industry. It was the first streaming service to offer unlimited streaming of movies and TV shows for a monthly fee.
Evidently, it has been so successful because it understands its customers and gives them what they want.
The Pros and Cons of Netflix
With Netflix’s easy-to-use interface and wide selection of TV shows and movies, it’s no wonder people are flocking to it. Yet, Netflix also has its share of pros and cons.
Pros
- Wide selection of content
- Available to watch offline
- Cheaper than Cable TV
- Compatibility with devices
Cons
- Monthly price tag
- Lack of latest movies
- Expensive for HD quality streaming
Netflix Price
Netflix is facing a major test as it increases prices due to its popular 10% Netflix Tax and the subscription. The company announced that it would raise subscribers’ prices by between $1 and $2, depending on the plan.
- The Basic plan, which provides users with solo simultaneous streaming, will go up from $8.99 to $9.99 per month.
- The standard plan, which allows users to stream TV shows and movies on two devices at the same time, will go up from $11.99 to $13.99 per month.
- The premium plan, which offers four screens and high-definition video, will increase from $14.99 to $17.99.
Nevertheless, this move is a big shift for Netflix, which has long been known for its low monthly price. It’s also a sign of the company’s growing ambitions, as it invests more in original content and expands around the world.
But when Netflix expanded into Australia in March 2015, it competed with local streaming services like Stan and Presto, owned by Foxtel. And as of 2022, Netflix has 11.6 million subscribers in Australia.
This number’s expected to grow as Netflix’s price increase has not deterred subscribers as much as was expected. Moreover, we see an increased 18% tally from 4 years according to the new data by Roy Morgan.
Netflix Content
Netflix produces a great deal of its content, which helped it to become one of the most popular streaming services in the world. The company invested billions of dollars in creating its content, and this investment paid off.
US Vs. Australia Vs. Canada Vs. the UK
Netflix’s streaming tailors to different countries, and it invests heavily in original programming. The service is also available in several countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
For example, the US Netflix library contains more than double the number of titles as the Australian library. This is largely due to licensing agreements between Netflix movies and TV studios.
The most noticeable difference is that the Australian Netflix library has fewer – roughly 1500+ titles than in the other three countries.
The USA Netflix library has the most titles on a count of 4500+, followed by the UK Netflix and Canada.
However, the Australian Netflix library does have some titles that are not available in other countries, such as The Crown and Designated Survivor.
At the same time, the Netflix Australia library does not include popular shows such as House of Cards and Narcos.
The Australian version also has a smaller selection of children’s movies and documentaries. And yet, the USA version of Netflix has a larger selection of children’s movies and documentaries.
Critically Acclaimed Movies
Netflix has been on a spending spree for critically acclaimed movies. In recent years, Netflix acquired films such as Beasts of No Nation, The Ridiculous 6, and Crouching Tiger. While it mixed success with its originals, Netflix’s library of critically acclaimed movies will only grow.
Easy-to-digest Original Movies
Netflix has been on a roll with its original movies. It’s been pumping out high-quality, low-budget films that are entertaining and easy to digest.
This is a great strategy for the streaming service because it means that people can watch more than one film in a sitting without feeling overwhelmed.
Universally Beloved Original Series
Netflix has been killing it with its original programming. From Stranger Things to The Crown, their series has been critically acclaimed and loved by the masses.
Yet, some of their series have been more universally loved and binge-worthy than others which keep you coming back for more.
The Revival of the Rom-Com
Netflix has been on a tear lately with its revivals of old TV shows, but its latest move could be its most important yet. The streaming giant plans to revive the rom-com genre that was once the bread and butter of Hollywood.
That said, the company has seen success in this arena before, with films like The Kissing Booth and Set It Up.
Addictive True Crime Documentaries
After watching a few crime docu-series on Netflix, it’s easy to see why they’ve become so addictive.
From the unsolved murder of Jon Benet Ramsey to the Amanda Knox story, there’s no shortage of suspense and intrigue found in these tales of crime and mystery produced by Netflix.
Local Productions
Netflix is increasing its investment in local productions. This is a smart move, as it allows the company to understand better the cultural nuances of the countries in which it operates.
It has also been found that local productions are more prevalent in countries where English is not the first language. Some include 3%, Money Heist, and Sacred Games.
A New Kind of Reality
Netflix is a pioneer in the world of streaming, and it has consistently pushed the envelope to create new and innovative content. Its success can be attributed to its willingness to take risks and its dedication to quality.
Moreover, it was credited with changing the way people watch TV and shaking up the way people think about movies.
Choose Your Own Adventure
Netflix is also changing the way we watch TV since its debut in 1997. The company now added a new feature that allows viewers to choose their adventure. It means that viewers can now decide the fate of the characters in their favorite shows.
Thus, its new feature is an attempt to keep viewers engaged and glued to their screens. It first came with the show Black Mirror: Bandersnatch and proved to be a success. Now, the company is planning to add the feature to more of its shows.
Netflix: Features and Improvements
Netflix has come a long way since its establishment in 1997 as a DVD rental service. It has evolved to become an online streaming service with a wide variety of features and improvements.
Hence, the journey only began as Netflix consistently added new features and improved its existing features over the years.
In 2007, Netflix introduced a feature that allowed users to create their profiles and track their viewing history. Later in 2013, they introduced a feature that allowed users to resume watching a show or movie where they left off.
Similarly, they also introduced a feature that allowed users to download shows and movies for offline viewing. Thus, Netflix has greatly expanded its original programming with over 1000 hours of original content.
The company has also significantly expanded its reach, now available in over 190 countries.
That said, the streaming giant has done a great job of keeping up with advancements in technology. They were one of the first streaming services to offer 4K content, and they continue to expand their capabilities.
They have also successfully developed their software and hardware with a user-friendly interface for all of their users.
Yet, as Australians, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to streaming services, with Stan, Netflix, and Foxtel competing for our attention. But Netflix has been around for a lot longer than Stan and Foxtel, so it has had more time to improve its service.
Verdict: Is Netflix Worth It?
Since Netflix is one of the most popular streaming services in the world, it now has over 214 million subscribers and is available in over 190 countries. So, the answer to the question, “Is Netflix worth it?” is a resounding “yes.”
It offers a wide variety of content, including movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original programming, and it also has an excellent selection of children’s programs.
In addition, Netflix offers a great selection of movies and TV shows that can be downloaded for offline viewing.
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