The giant American online video streaming service Netflix will launch in the UK and Ireland this week. On Tuesday, January 10, Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings and chief product officer Neil Hunt will be in Dublin for various press briefings.
Netflix is also likely to launch its new advertising camapign for the UK and Ireland. Irish PlayStation 3 users will have already spotted the appearenace of the Netflix app icon on the console’s TV and video services. This indicates Netflix is gearing up for an imminent launch.
Netflix has signed deals with the BBC, Lionsgate, Mirimax and MGM and is close to signing up Channel 4, ITV, Sony, Disney and Paramount. It remains to be seen if Netflix signs up RTÉ, TV3 and TG4 – there’s no indication it won’t.
Netflix generated US$2.1bn revenue in the US and Canada in 2010. The company charges US users $7.99 a month to stream an unlimited number of films and TV shows. The price of the service for Irish users will be revealed on Tuesday and is likely to be approximately €7 a month.
The online video streaming sector is already competitive in the UK and Irish markets and is set to become even more competitive. Netflix is going head-to-head with the established LOVEFiLM in the UK as well as Tesco’s Blinkbox, BSkyB’s streaming service and YouTube’s new professional streaming ambitions.

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