Netflix has launched its video streaming service globally, simultaneously bringing its Internet TV network to more than 130 new countries around the world.
The company made the announcement and switched on the global service during a keynote by Co-founder and Chief Executive Reed Hastings at CES 2016.
“Today you are witnessing the birth of a new global Internet TV network,” said Hastings.
“With this launch, consumers around the world — from Singapore to St. Petersburg, from San Francisco to Sao Paulo — will be able to enjoy TV shows and movies simultaneously — no more waiting. With the help of the Internet, we are putting power in consumers’ hands to watch whenever, wherever and on whatever device.”
Ugandans took to social media to express their thoughts on the news of the availability of Netflix in Uganda, with several excited about the development but some expressing reservations.
The way @Airtel_Ug eats Data.p’ple excited about Netflix won’t evn read the Director’s Name be4 the Message: You have used 100% of your Data
— Samwise Gamgee (@Sambannz) January 7, 2016
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the NRM Government for bringing Netflix to Uganda and Africa at Large #SteadyProggress.
— Jeff 3.1.5™ (@andsjeff) January 7, 2016
Netflix coming to Uganda is what we have been waiting for. But the question is, Will it be #NeflixAndChill or #NetflixAndBuffering ???
— Waiswa Batambuze (@IBatambuze) January 7, 2016
One of the main concerns is the speed and cost of internet here, since the subscription price is only part of the cost of accessing the video content.
With video settings at “Medium” which shows standard video quality, you’re set back about 0.7 GB per hour, making it over 1 GB for an average 90 minute movie. At a rate of UGX 12,500 per GB when you buy a 10 GB bundle from MTN Uganda, Vodafone, or Airtel Uganda, in less than 3 hours of watching you will have spent more in internet costs than the monthly Netflix subscription that starts at $7.99 (approximately UGX 27,000).
The other bottleneck that we envisage with enjoying the full capacity of Netflix is hardware as many devices we have in our homes aren’t HD capable. Netflix allows you to watch on a wide range of devices, but most TVs on the market here aren’t capable of viewing HD let alone Ultra HD. Not many users have streaming devices, gaming consoles or other compatible devices so many users here will be limited to standard or basic video quality.
At first glance the availability of Netflix seems like a threat to DSTV who recently had the public up in arms when they hiked subscription rates, but when you look at the details, DSTV won’t be going down too easily.
Netflix has not yet been made available in China, Crimea, North Korea and Syria due to U.S. government restrictions on American companies.
Since Netflix launched its streaming service in 2007, the service has expanded globally, first to Canada, then to Latin America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan to include 60 countries.
Let us know in the comments what your thoughts are on the arrival of Netflix in Uganda.[related-posts]