Netflix

Netflix's release in Australia seems to have caused quite a stir.

Two of my co-workers have signed up for it already. You can trial it for one month for free, take a look on their website https://www.netflix.com/au/ (note: the Australia Netflix does not have as wide a selection as the US one). There are three different tiers of pricing at the moment: $8.99 for standard definition and one device at a time, $10.99 for high-def and up to two devices at a time, and $14.99 for ultra-high-def (4K) and up to four devices at a time. Considering the price of a movie ticket these days is close to $20 (for an adult without any kind of discount), I think the pricing is really good. Plus, if you don't care about experiencing things when they're super dooper new, then what difference does it make waiting for stuff to come out on Netflix? Well, you probably don't want to know that SKD, but oh well.

One of my co-workers doesn't pay for TV shows, and only pays to see movies at the cinema, but that's because he's happy to wait for it to air on free-to-air TV (or watch it iView). He's not particular for-or-against piracy (though he absolutely loves Talk Like a Pirate Day), he just prefers to do other things, like play computer games, or work out at the gym. Plus, he is single, with no children, has a very high income, and has quite a long commute, so his rent is very low. However, he prefers to spend his money on things like travelling overseas. He was completely happy to sign up for Netflix simply because he'll be able to watch TV shows a season at a time, with no ads.

My other co-worker probably has a tricorne hat at home, and likely has a case of scurvy. He believes that Australians are getting completely ripped off. He also hates that we get everything so far behind everyone else. However, he was completely happy to pay for Netflix, and I think he even went for the most expensive tier. I was surprised by this, to be honest. I thought that he would think that Netflix is overpriced compared to free. I guess there really are some people out there who pirate things not because they can get it for free, but for the principle of it.

MrMan5.5 and I are going to sign up, though probably after the wedding, as we don't have that much time to be sitting around watching things at the moment.

It's interesting, because Australia already has some video streaming services: Stan, Presto, AnimeLab (currently free while in beta, but it has been in beta for a long time now!), yet they don't seem to have created the same buzz as Netflix. I can't really speak of how wide their libraries are, but from what I've read so far, Netflix has by far the widest selection. It's a pity that it won't include Game of Thrones though. MrMan5.5 says that we should support Netflix coming out in Australia because we want to incentivize them to put more effort into bringing shows out here (I know that the reason why some of the shows can't be aired here is due to clashes with local licensing). I do like the fact that the rest of the world is starting to realise that yes, there are people on this crazy island inhabited by lots of poisonous animals. Looking forward to beginning our trial!

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Today I learned that OzBargain keeps a list of free stuff you can get on your birthday!