Netflix To Be On Liberty Global Set-Top Boxes -- 2nd Update
September 14 2016 - 10:59AM
Dow Jones News
By Austen Hufford
Netflix Inc. agreed to make its streaming-video service
available to Liberty Global PLC video subscribers in more than 30
countries, the two companies announced Wednesday.
The deal follows the launch of Netflix on Liberty Global's
Virgin Media in the U.K., a deal reached before Liberty's takeover
of Virgin.
Consumers who are already Netflix subscribers will be able to
view Netflix's library of movies and television shows alongside
traditional TV and other video-on-demand products currently
accessible on the set-top boxes. They also will be able to sign up
for the service on their TV.
"We are committed to bringing the best content to our customers,
and are thrilled to expand our partnership with Netflix," Liberty
Global Chief Executive Mike Fries said.
Netflix Chief Executive Reed Hastings said the move makes it
easier for consumers to access Netflix content because they are
able to use their same remote and same cable box to watch it. Under
the deal, Netflix will maintain the billing relationship with its
customers.
Unlike the sometimes prickly relationship that Netflix has had
with big U.S.-based cable providers, Netflix has received a much
warmer welcome from countries abroad. Many providers bundle their
subscriptions together with Netflix and offer it as an app through
their set-top boxes. Liberty Global, however, had long held out
from striking such a deal.
Of late, Netflix also has reached set-top box deals with several
American operators, including Comcast Corp.
That reception contrasts sharply with Netflix's experience at
home, where broadband providers have sparred with it over new
internet regulations and the network traffic arrangements that the
video service says it needs to efficiently deliver its data to
subscribers.
International TV and broadband company Liberty Global has 29
million customers across Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Netherlands will be the first to launch Netflix, and it will
expand to other countries through 2017.
--Shalini Ramachandran contributed to this article.
Write to Austen Hufford at austen.hufford@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
September 14, 2016 10:44 ET (14:44 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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