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Tag: Netflix

  • South Africa tops Netflix’s most-watched movies in Africa

    South Africa tops Netflix’s most-watched movies in Africa

    The biannual report of Netflix reports that South African movies were the most watched African movies for the year 2023.

    The second-biggest streaming service in Africa, Netflix, has published the first of what will hopefully be a biannual report that lists all of the content that users worldwide have watched over the course of six months, from January to June 2023. More than 18,000 titles with over 100 billion hours of streaming time were included in the list. 

    The first season of the South African television series Unseen, which ranked 229th worldwide, is at the top of the charts for Africa. More than 60 million hours, or 6,800 years, were spent watching the series on Netflix; this is longer than human civilisation.

    With eight representations, South Africa led the list of the ten most streamed films in Africa. Nigeria had two, with Shanty Town and Far From Home ranking 750 and 2088, respectively, on Netflix’s global scale.

    Read also: Showmax surpasses Netflix in African market share

    The reason for this

    The statistics are not shocking since 73% of Netflix viewers in Africa are from South Africa. Just 10.5% of Netflix’s continental viewership comes from Nigeria. In addition to having a robust economy, the Rainbow Nation leads the world in online video sales and has a burgeoning streaming content market.

    Although the report demonstrates the success of films worldwide, a new report indicates that Showmax has surpassed Netflix as the market leader in Africa. When Netflix first opened for business on the continent in 2016, it faced stiff competition from both established companies, such as MultiChoice, the market leader, and up-and-coming companies, like Amazon Prime Video. 

    Netflix’s approach on the continent blends creating original content like The Origin: Madam Koi-Koi with licencing local studios’ works, like Nigeria’s Black Book. In six years, this two-pronged strategy has cost Netflix $175 million, according to a report released in April. 

    Despite having the most licenced content in Africa, Nigeria only received $23 million, while South Africa received $125 million, the lion’s share. With earnings of more than $230 million over the past two years, Netflix has more than recovered its investment. 

    Netflix lost to Showmax

    Netflix, which formerly held over 40% of the African streaming market, has lost its position as the market leader to Showmax as competition heats up. 

    The biggest paid video streaming service in the world, Netflix, is losing market share in Africa due to heightened competition from Showmax and Amazon Prime. According to industry data, Netflix’s dominance in the African streaming market is waning despite holding approximately 40% of the market in 2021. 

    According to tech research company Omdia Research, the California-based company now holds 35% of the streaming market on the continent, and Showmax has 40% of the market. This means that the company is no longer leading the market. 

    Netflix’s market share is being squeezed by rivals who are entering the market and stepping up their strategies. With 1.8 million subscribers, Showmax has surpassed the streamer in the market. 

    The CEO of Showmax, Marc Jury, previously stated that during the last four years, the streaming service’s paid subscriber base increased by 26% annually as a result of its increased focus on producing local content. In the fiscal year that ends in 2023, the company also committed $1 billion to content creation and acquisition on the continent. 

    By the end of 2022, Africa had 41 million pay-TV subscribers, with less than 10% of that number coming from video streaming, according to data from industry analytics firm Digital TV Research. 

    Over the past three years, streaming giants like Netflix and MultiChoice’s Showmax have used a variety of growth strategies, such as investing heavily in original content and lowering subscription costs, in an effort to attract new users. However, the market has kept moving slowly.

  • Showmax surpasses Netflix in African market share

    Showmax surpasses Netflix in African market share

    The world’s largest subscription video streaming service, Netflix, is losing market share in Africa to Amazon Prime and Showmax. 

    Netflix held 40% of African streaming in 2021. However, fresh industry data suggests market share loss. Omdia’s survey reported that Showmax currently holds 40% of Africa’s streaming business, making the California-based corporation less relevant than it was (35%). 

    As additional competitors improve and join the region, Netflix loses market share—no longer the market leader in streaming services.

     Showmax is the market leader, with 1.8 million users. Due to its concentration on local programming, Showmax CEO Marc Jury says the streaming service has attracted 26% more paid customers every year for the past four years. The corporation put aside $1 billion to manufacture and buy material on the continent in 2023.

    An industry analytics firm, Digital TV Research, estimated 41 million pay-TV subscribers in Africa in 2022, with less than 10% streaming. In the last three years, Netflix and MultiChoice’s Showmax have acquired new consumers by investing in new programming and lowering membership fees. The market maintained its modest pace.

    In December 2022, IrokoTV, Africa’s oldest streaming service, had 46,000 active customers, a 76% drop from January. The firm had invested $30 million in Nigeria but had not profited, according to IrokoTV CEO Jason Njoku. 

    Read also: Showmax announces February relaunch

    Netflix’s African expansion

    Netflix entered Africa in 2016, quickly gaining a few hundred thousand users, forcing market leader MultiChoice to prepare for greater competition. The market has expanded slowly despite Amazon Prime Video and NBC Universal’s Peacock’s entrance to the continent due to broadband fees, steady internet, and low income.

    The streaming video-on-demand sector in Africa is predicted to increase by 10.4% annually, but Netflix is expected to grow by half as other platforms take over its decreasing user base.

    Netflix licenses Nigeria’s Black Book from local studios and produces original content like The Origin: Madam Koi-Koi in Africa. According to an April Netflix report, this two-pronged technique cost $175 million in six years. Nigeria won $23 million for the most licensed content in Africa, while South Africa got $125 million. The last two years have seen Netflix make over $230 million, recouping its investment. 

    Netflix has gained 1.2 million customers in four years after reaching 400,000 in two years on the continent. With 73.3% of Netflix subscribers, South Africa is its largest market. According to Omdia Research, Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has a modest market for the streaming service at 10.5% despite marketing and content acquisition efforts.

    Showmax Pro Subscribers Switch to DStv

    Netflix fears subscriber stagnation in established markets like the US and Europe. It has expanded internationally to offset domestic market declines. Due to price cuts in several African regions in the first quarter, the platform is increasing in Africa despite slowing subscriber growth in mature markets like the US. The streaming platform’s revenue rose 13.7% to $135 million in 2022 due to 6.8% user growth.

    Omdia stated that limited credit and debit card penetration in several locations has hindered Netflix’s subscriber growth, affecting how Africans pay for the streaming platform.

  • Netflix’s global subscribers exceed expectations

    Netflix’s global subscribers exceed expectations

    Netflix, the global streaming giant, has experienced significant growth in its subscriber base, with nearly 9 million new subscribers joining during the third quarter of this year.

    This impressive performance has sent the company’s shares surging by 13%, defying expectations and pointing towards the continued dominance of the streaming platform.

    Read also: Netflix to discontinue its free service in Kenya amid intense competition

    Global Growth and Local Stories

    Netflix makes the bulk of its content overseas, which significantly contributed to its new subscriber numbers. The global success of its live-action adaptation of the Japanese manga series “One Piece” highlights the company’s strategy of investing in stories with local resonance that can appeal to international audiences. The streaming service has also successfully attracted viewers to long-running television shows, like the legal drama “Suits,” and HBO’s World War Two series “Band of Brothers.”

    Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s co-CEO, emphasised the importance of the company’s rich and diverse content catalogue in managing unpredictable production interruptions, a scenario experienced during the COVID pandemic and the current Hollywood labour tensions.

    Positive Response and Higher Prices

    Netflix announced a price increase in the United States, United Kingdom, and France. Despite this price hike, the company experienced a surge in its shares, reaching $390.80 in extended trading from a close of $346.19. Paolo Pescatore, an analyst at PP Foresight, attributed this growth to Netflix’s efforts to crack down on password sharing and its expansion into advertising.

    Netflix now boasts a global subscriber base of 247 million users, with substantial growth in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, where nearly 4 million new subscribers were added in the third quarter. More than 70% of Netflix’s members reside outside the United States, highlighting its international appeal.

    Competitive Evolution and Licensing Opportunities

    The streaming service has noted its ability to licence hit titles, with “Suits” becoming the most-watched title across film, original TV, and acquired TV on streaming in the U.S. for 12 consecutive weeks. The ability to secure such titles indicates potential opportunities for Netflix as the competitive streaming landscape evolves.

    The company reported revenues of $8.54 billion in the third quarter, aligning with analyst predictions, and earnings of $3.73 per share, exceeding Wall Street’s expectations of $3.49. However, the company’s fourth-quarter revenue forecast of $8.69 billion was slightly below analysts’ estimates of $8.77 billion.

    Strikes by writers and actors prompted Netflix to revise its content spending projections, reducing it to $13 billion for 2023, assuming labour disputes are resolved “in the near future.” This reduction from the initial estimate of $17 billion highlights the impact of ongoing labour issues in the entertainment industry.

    Netflix continues to dominate viewership, with its programming accounting for 8% of television screen time, second only to YouTube, according to Nielsen data. This enduring popularity solidifies Netflix’s position in the streaming market.

    Netflix’s robust Q3 performance, despite labour tensions in the entertainment industry, demonstrates its ability to engage audiences with its vast content library, emphasising its ongoing appeal to subscribers worldwide.

    Netflix records subscriber increase after crackdown on password-sharing

    Evolution of Netflix: From DVDs to Streaming Dominance

    Netflix, founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph, initially focused on DVD rentals by mail. Its innovative subscription model disrupted traditional video rental stores. As the internet matured, Netflix transitioned to online streaming in 2007, enabling instant content access. By producing original series like “House of Cards” in 2013, Netflix aimed to create exclusive, compelling content. International expansion in 2010 transformed it into a global streaming giant, serving 247 million subscribers in 2023. It diversified beyond the U.S. market and adapted to consumer preferences, securing its position as a major player in the entertainment industry.

  • Netflix to discontinue its free service in Kenya amid intense competition

    Netflix to discontinue its free service in Kenya amid intense competition

    As part of its efforts to increase revenue in the face of fiercer market competition, Netflix plans to end its free service in Kenya next month.

    In an effort to capitalise on Kenya’s expanding streaming industry, the streaming platform announced a gratis content access option for subscribers in that country in 2021. The free plan won’t be accessible any more as of November 1.

    “On November 1, 2023, the Free Plan will no longer be available, and your membership will end. If you want to cancel, no action is required. Your membership will be automatically cancelled when the free plan ends,” reads the email sent to subscribers. 

    “If you want to keep watching, upgrade to one of our paid plans. Starting from as low as Sh200 per month, you can unlock all shows and movies, more features and the option to watch on your phone, TV or laptop.”

    The international streaming service encouraged consumers to investigate the various premium subscription alternatives by informing them that their subscriptions would automatically be cancelled when the free plan expired. 

    Following a previous effort to lower membership costs by 37% for Kenyan consumers, Netflix has now made this choice in response to growing competition from rivals like Showmax and DStv.

    Read also: Netflix to increase subscription prices again

    Why Netflix operates in Kenya

    The head of the Content Team for Netflix Kenya, Ben Amadasun, shared the reason Netflix has decided to operate in Kenya and how the timing fits.

    “The short story is, we’re here to listen and learn from the various valued local stakeholders in the Kenyan film industry. As part of our strategy in every market we’ve focused on the world over, we first start by learning more about the industry and how it operates and identify opportunities for collaboration with local storytellers and stakeholders within the creative industry ecosystem.” 

    “We’ve done the same in South Africa and Nigeria and, as we have always stated, we’ve had our eye on Kenya, and now we want to get to know a bit more about the industry – starting with the critical stakeholders like the Kenya Film Commission and others. There will be many other engagements with more stakeholders to come – this is just one of the many firsts. We’re also exploring the many ways we can collaborate with various industry stakeholders in terms of skills enhancement and capacity building to ensure there’s a pipeline of amazing talent in the industry.” 

    “Overall, we’re at the beginning of our journey in Africa as a whole – we’re the tip of the iceberg, there are amazing storytellers and content creators in Kenya and the rest of the continent. Ultimately, we want Netflix to be at the top of the mind for Kenyan creators when it comes to stories they haven’t seen,” he added.

    Netflix bans password sharing in South Africa

    Netflix’s strategy for growth in Africa

    The streaming giant is aware of the opportunities for expansion that exist in Africa’s streaming landscape, opportunities that are being driven by factors such as the expansion of the continent’s middle class and improved internet access.

    Netflix first provided free access to its service in a number of African nations, Kenya being one of them. This was done as a strategic move to break into the market and attract a larger user base. Since then, they have increased the amount of African content in their repertoire, which now includes locally produced series and films that have received widespread critical acclaim, such as “Queen Sono” and “Blood & Water.”

    The streaming platform’s recent decision to stop offering its free service in Kenya is interpreted as a move toward an approach that is more focused on generating income. This interpretation has prompted discussion about the streaming platform’s future plans in Africa. These may include expanding into additional African countries, strengthening relationships with African creators, investing in African internet infrastructure, and altering pricing methods to adapt to the needs of the local market.

    Due to the intense competition in the African streaming market from companies such as Showmax and DStv, Netflix is investigating the possibility of entering into strategic collaborations. These agreements could involve the provision of bundled services or exclusive content deals.

    Netflix’s capacity for adaptation and innovation will play a big part in the company’s success in grabbing a sizeable portion of Africa’s rapidly expanding streaming market as that industry continues to develop. Keep an eye out for new developments and partnerships that might have an impact on the direction that streaming will take in the future on the African continent.

  • Netflix to increase subscription prices again

    Netflix to increase subscription prices again

    Netflix, an American-owned streaming platform, is considering implementing yet another price hike for its streaming service in the near future. It has been rumoured that the streaming service will implement the price increase a “few months” after the strike by Hollywood actors has ended, which may take place within the next few weeks.

    The Wall Street Journal has stated that Netflix will increase its fees in “several markets globally,” beginning with the United States of America and Canada. The amount by which Netflix will increase its fees is still unclear, and the streaming service has declined to comment on the matter. 

    Last year, Netflix increased costs for all of its plans, including the ad-free Standard tier, which is now priced at $15.49 per month, and the Premium plan, which is now priced at $19.99 per month. Additionally, the company introduced a plan that included advertisements and cost $6.99 per month. Subsequently, it discontinued its mid-tier ad-free basic plan that cost $9.99 per month.

    This year, Netflix began cracking down on the practice of sharing passwords and began adding an additional monthly fee of $7.99 for those who shared their accounts with others who did not live in their households. The decision to increase rates once more comes at a time when Hollywood is getting closer and closer to getting back to work.

    Read also: Netflix records subscriber increase after crackdown on password-sharing

    Netflix’s contract with WGA

    A little over a week ago, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) put an end to its strike and began voting on a contract with major Hollywood companies, including Netflix, that has the potential to make a significant impact on the streaming market.

    Under the terms of the new agreement, streaming providers such as Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, and others will be required to provide streaming data to the WGA. This will enable writers to evaluate the success of the work they have created. A minimum pay increase of 18% for high-budget films is made available to authors of streaming features under the terms of the contract, in addition to a 26% rise in residuals. 

    The Writers Guild of America (WGA) has estimated that the fees associated with their new deal will equal to less than 0.2% of Netflix’s total annual earnings.

    When Netflix intends to increase prices

    While all is going on, the actors in Hollywood are continuing their strike, which means that many productions are still on hold. It is likely that Netflix will wait until the strike is over before increasing pricing, as doing so when there is no new material being produced does not seem like the most prudent course of action. After the writers’ strike and the actors’ strike have ended, there will probably be a large number of new television shows and films released, which Netflix can use to justify the price rise.

    The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) says that in addition to the news regarding Netflix, Disney Plus may create a new live sports tier in countries other than the United States. Even Disney Plus has been subjected to price increases in the past, and the most recent one is scheduled to take effect later this month.

    Netflix bans password sharing in South Africa

    Impact on users

    Consumers are left to cope with the financial ramifications of their entertainment choices as streaming giants such as Netflix, Disney+, and Warner Bros. Discovery continue to modify the cost of their subscription packages.

    The equilibrium between practicality and affordability is put to the test with each new price hike. When additional forms of entertainment costs, such as going to the movies, paying for a membership to a video gaming service, or attending live events, are taken into consideration, the overall cost of entertainment for an individual or a family can quickly skyrocket.

    Challenges are faced by more parties than just customers alone. The producers of content and production businesses are likewise caught in a precarious balancing act as they attempt to negotiate adequate recompense for their work while preventing the cost of their content from being unaffordable to viewers. Streaming services must continue to give value despite increases in subscription prices by producing their own original programming and amassing extensive libraries of previously published content.

    As a result of this predicament, customers are becoming more price-conscious and pickier in their purchasing decisions. In the ever-evolving world of digital entertainment, it is the customers who will ultimately decide which streaming platforms are worth the investment and which ones are left behind. 

  • South Africa licenses Netflix and other streaming companies

    South Africa licenses Netflix and other streaming companies

    The South African government could give Netflix and Disney Plus licenses to limit the number of content providers. 

    This step is one of several in a preliminary white paper on Audio and Audiovisual Media Services and Online Content Safety.

    Technology has changed how audiovisual information is made and shared, giving people more ways to get what they want. The government wants to keep up with the times by keeping an eye on all material providers, even new ones. If these rules are passed, streaming sites may have to follow more rules.

    In the Executive Summary of the white paper, it says that technology has moved faster than South Africa’s legal system. The white paper says, “These changes require policy interventions to make sure that disruptions and changes don’t make access to ICT technologies and services in South Africa even more unequal, thus widening the digital divide.” It was agreed that maybe all content providers should get licenses.

    To give clients audio and video material that is fair and easy to understand. The government thinks this will help the economy grow and attract more investors.

    It also talks about new terms in the content business. Some of these are “on-demand content service,” “audio-visual content service,” “user-generated video,” and “video-sharing platform service.”

    Read also: Netflix bans password sharing in South Africa

    How South Africa’s regulation of Netflix and others will work

    The white paper says that licenses will need to be given for three types of services. Electronic Communications Network Services, Broadcasting Services, and Electronic Communications Services are the three types of services.

    According to the policy, licenses are separated into Individual and class categories. Class licenses are intended for content providers that do not make use of the aforementioned frequency bands but who nonetheless provide content. Businesses that deal in radio and broadcasting are required to have a spectrum license. Class licenses are required for Internet content providers.

    The classification of DSTV and other satellite pay-TV systems necessitates the acquisition of certain licenses. The authorization is broken down in the policy paper. If DSTV’s annual revenue was less than R100 million but greater than R50 million, the company is required to get a Class a permit. 

    If the number of people who watched DSTV each year went up or if the company sold more than R100 million, it would have to get individual rights. Individuals who want to get a pass are now expected to follow stricter rules.

    Netflix and Disney Plus must meet license conditions. Licensees must create and promote local content. The documents allow the government to adjust criteria every three years if inflation or the economy change.

    Netflix records subscriber increase after crackdown on password-sharing

    Potential effects in South Africa

    It’s impressive that South Africa is trying to grow despite the huge changes in the audio and video content business. The times have changed, and it makes sense to make sure that every company that wants to participate gets a license.

    This would make it easier for the right body to keep an eye on the content provider, which would be good for the average citizen. Overall, it looks good for South Africa and is something that other countries can learn from.

  • MTN, Netflix, Leadway top Q2 ’23 media investigation across Telecoms, streaming, insurance sectors

    MTN, Netflix, Leadway top Q2 ’23 media investigation across Telecoms, streaming, insurance sectors

    As it continues to develop, the media industry in Nigeria is witnessing fast expansion while simultaneously encountering intense levels of competition. A renowned media intelligence firm known as P+ Measurement Services conducted an investigation into the best media performers in the Nigerian subscription-based streaming services, telecoms, and insurance industries during the second quarter of the year 2023.

    Read also: Nigerian telecoms company Airtel launches 5G mobile network

    How the analysis gives a thorough perspective of each industry

    This analysis attempts to present a thorough perspective of each industry’s media share by taking into consideration the developments in subscription-based streaming services, the expansion of the telecommunications sector, and the continuous performance of the insurance sector. 

    Over 1.3 million online publications in the local and global media space are monitored as part of the media analysis.

    These publications include blogs, news sites, forums, and digital media. Additionally, approximately 1,380 print publications (including daily, weekly, and monthly publications) are tracked and monitored as part of the media analysis. Various meta-data are extracted from these publications.

    Netflix Nigeria emerged as the top performer out of the five brands that were monitored in the Nigerian subscription-based streaming business. They captured a significant media share of 47%, followed by Amazon Prime Video and Showmax Nigeria with 29% and 24% respectively.

    In the field of telecommunications in Nigeria, there was a highly competitive landscape with a number of important competitors.

    The two brands that performed the best in the media out of the five that were monitored were MTN Nigeria and Airtel. Both of these brands captured thirty percent of the total media share, which earned them the top spot. Globacom was able to secure 25%, while 9Mobile only managed 15%.

    Five insurance companies stood out as top media performers among the 10 biggest insurance brands that were watched. Leadway Assurance maintained its position as the top performer in Q2, capturing 39% of the media share.

    AIICO Insurance finished in second place with 19% of the vote, AXA Mansard Insurance came in third place with 18% of the vote, NEM Insurance came in fourth place with 15% of the vote, and Mutual Benefits Assurance received 9% of the vote.

    Female developers rising as push for STEM courses get attention

    Analysis of the most important reputational drivers in the second quarter of 2023

    Notable media drivers in the subscription-based streaming services sector in Nigeria during the second quarter included Netflix Nigeria’s novel technique of recreating folktales alongside African filmmakers in order to transform them into dark fantasy dramas. With Jade Osiberu’s ‘Gangs of Lagos’ hitting a new record, Amazon Prime Video was able to accomplish a major company goal and reach a significant new milestone.

    In addition, Showmax Nigeria teamed with Upbeat to throw a unique screening party for children on Children’s Day. At the event, the kids got to hang out with Jay Jay Okocha, who was one of the stars of the movie.

    During the time period in question, the Nigerian telecommunications industry was witness to a number of key PR drivers. MTN Nigeria’s success in obtaining approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission to lease NTEL’s spectrum was an important development that had a significant impact on the industry. This was a noteworthy event. The hiring of Carl Cruz as MD/CEO of Airtel Nigeria brought about a rise in the company’s brand recognition as well as an improvement in its reputation. In a similar vein, Globacom’s Chief Executive Officer Mike Adenuga celebrated his 70th birthday, which brought the company’s attention and coverage from the media.

    In addition, 9Mobile made news after announcing a significant N70 billion investment in network upgrades, which drove the company’s presence and impact in the market.

    A substantial amount of attention was gathered by the accomplishment of a ground-breaking milestone by Leadway Assurance. Leadway Assurance was the first insurer in the insurance business to achieve N100 billion in premium income. The remarkable demonstration of Corporate Social Responsibility that was put on show by AIICO Insurance was the company’s decision to invest in the healthcare business.

    The first three months of the year saw impressive growth in revenue of 13% for AXA Mansard Insurance, which contributed to an elevated degree of media engagement for the brand. During the fiscal year ending in 2022, NEM Insurance paid out a sizeable amount totalling N12.3 billion in claims. This action was taken to emphasise the company’s dedication to its policyholders.

    In addition to this, Mutual Benefits Assurance was present for the launch of Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi’s book, where he shared with the younger generation the necessity of leaving a good first impression and provided helpful insights.

  • Netflix bans password sharing in South Africa

    Netflix bans password sharing in South Africa

    Users of Netflix in South Africa are no longer permitted to “Netflix and chill” with others who are not members of their households.

    South Africa is not yet included in Netflix’s paid-for-sharing option, despite the fact that the streaming platform has taken measures to make it more difficult to share passwords there.

    Read also: Netflix records subscriber increase after crackdown on password-sharing

    What exactly is meant by “paid-for sharing”? 

    By paying an additional membership fee that is less than the cost of a full subscription, the paid-for-sharing option makes it possible for you to share your Netflix account with someone who does not live in your home.

    ICYMI

    In February of this year, Netflix implemented a policy that prevented users in Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain from sharing their login credentials with others. In May of 2023, Netflix debuted its paid-for sharing choices in the nations that accounted for 80% of its income base. This was in conjunction with the company’s further expansion of its limits to include the United States of America and more than one hundred other countries.

    The most recent update on South Africa’s limits on password-sharing occurred after Netflix revealed on Wednesday that the restrictions are having a beneficial effect on revenues and subscription levels in areas where it is enforced. This news prompted the current update on South Africa’s policies.

    Remove the zoom

     Because Netflix states that as of February of this year, over 100 million households share accounts, which hurts their ability to invest in new TV and Films, the ban on sharing passwords was probably driven by the loss of subscribers that occurred the previous year. The streaming service highlighted in its most recent report that it gained over 5 million customers between April and June 2023, after it prevented users in some locations from sharing their passwords with one another. This is a positive development.

    Netflix adds TV Gaming services

    About Netflix

    Netflix is a streaming service that requires members to pay for a subscription in order to watch films and television series on any device that has access to the internet. You may also be able to download films and television series to watch offline on your iOS, Android, or Windows 10 device, although this feature varies depending on the subscription that you have purchased.

    The majority of the service’s focus is on the distribution of films and television programmes from a wide variety of categories that were created by the media business with the same name. Additionally, it is accessible worldwide in a number of other languages.

    There are four different options available to choose from on Netflix: the Basic plan with advertisements costs $7 per month, the Basic plan costs $10, the Standard plan costs $15.50, and the Premium plan costs $20. Even if twenty dollars is a lot of money in comparison to the cost of other on-demand services, there is no better service than this one to watch hours and hours of wonderful entertainment.

    The mission of Netflix is to bring joy to people all over the world. They provide you with access to the best-in-class television shows, documentaries, feature films, and mobile games, regardless of your preferences and regardless of where you live.

  • Netflix records subscriber increase after crackdown on password-sharing

    Netflix records subscriber increase after crackdown on password-sharing

    Netflix’s recent implementation of a password-sharing block which aims to limit account sharing among viewers outside of their households, seems to have achieved its desired outcome as it records a significant increase in the number of new subscribers.

    Netflix has gained more new subscribers in the few days immediately following the initiation of its crackdown on password-sharing in the US than in any comparable period since 2019. 

    Data from streaming analytics company Antenna reveals an average of approximately 73,000 new daily subscriptions in the US in three days,  surpassing any previous spike since the company began recording data in 2019.

    While there was also a noticeable increase in cancellations following the crackdown, the surge in new signups outweighed it significantly.

    These numbers are likely to affirm to the company that it made the correct decision and could potentially convince other streaming services to adopt similar measures.

    Read also: Netflix to expand operations in Africa

    Adding new users now incurs a monthly fee

    To enforce this policy, Netflix monitors the behaviour of each subscriber’s primary household account, device IDs, and IP addresses. Adding a new user who doesn’t share the account holder’s IP address now incurs a monthly fee of $7.99 in the US and £4.99 in the UK. Subscribers of the premium 4K tier can add two additional users.

    Additionally, Netflix now requires subscribers to log in from their homes at least once a month. For streaming while travelling, the company advises account holders to log in from home just before departing. There doesn’t appear to be a method to continue accessing Netflix after being away for more than 31 days.

    Netflix’s stock price rose by 10 percent

    As a result of these developments, Netflix’s stock price experienced a rise of approximately 10 percent during that period and has continued to climb substantially. 

    The prominent global streaming service that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and original content, was founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph and initially started as a DVD-by-mail rental service. In 2007, Netflix introduced its streaming platform, which allowed subscribers to stream content directly to their devices over the Internet.

    Today, Netflix has become one of the leading providers of on-demand streaming entertainment, with a vast library of diverse content from various genres and languages. Subscribers can access Netflix through its website or by downloading the Netflix app on supported devices such as smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and gaming consoles.

    One of the notable aspects of Netflix is its commitment to producing original content. The company has invested heavily in creating exclusive TV shows, movies, and documentaries, which are collectively known as Netflix Originals. These Originals have gained significant acclaim and popularity, earning numerous awards and nominations. Some well-known Netflix Originals include “Stranger Things,” “House of Cards,” “Narcos,” “The Crown,” “Black Mirror,” and “Money Heist.”

    Netflix to crack down on password-sharing from Q2 2023

    Netflix offers different subscription plans to cater to various needs. Subscribers can choose from options that allow streaming on one, two, or four devices simultaneously, with varying video quality, including high-definition (HD) and Ultra HD (4K). The service also provides personalized recommendations based on viewers’ viewing history and preferences.

    Over the years, Netflix has expanded its presence globally and is now available in over 190 countries. It has revolutionized the way people consume entertainment by providing convenient and on-demand access to a vast catalog of movies and TV shows. With its continuous focus on content creation and innovation, Netflix remains a dominant force in the streaming industry.

  • Netflix to expand operations in Africa

    Netflix to expand operations in Africa

    Netflix recently announced motives to expand its operations in Africa on Wednesday, building on the success of films and series such as ‘Blood and Water’ in South Africa and ‘Far From Home’ in Nigeria.

    According to the report, the online video-streaming behemoth has committed the equivalent of €160 million in developing film content in Africa since it started operations on the continent in 2016.

    More than 12,000 employment have been generated as ascribed to its operations in South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria, the company claims. “This is just the beginning; we intend to expand across the continent,” Shola Sanni, Netflix’s head of Sub-Saharan Africa strategy, said during a press conference in Johannesburg.

    More than 170 films, TV shows, and documentaries have been produced in South Africa, making it the leading African content provider on Netflix at the present time. Blood and Water, a series about a Cape Town adolescent who investigates her sister’s kidnapping during delivery, even won first prize in the United States in 2020.

    Read also: Netflix adds two new premium-only features

    Netflix intends to leverage the milestone to expand more 

    The expansion is anticipated to contribute to helping Netflix become the most popular streaming service in Africa, where local content is getting more popular and competition from other streaming providers is increasing.

    The move is also a significant investment in the continent’s creative economy, allowing African tales to be viewed by people all over the globe.

    “We will use these milestones to grow our business by continuing to invest in supporting local creative industries and giving more and more African storytellers a strong voice on the global stage,” added Netflix.

    In recent years, Netflix has sought to broaden its production outside of the United States, with shows such as the Spanish “La Casa de Papel” and the South Korean dystopian drama “Squid Game,” which was a global hit and was nominated for a Golden Globe.

    In 2021, the corporation will collaborate with Unesco to sponsor six short films directed by young Africans. “It’s time for mainstream platforms to realise the richness and value of our stories,” one of the winners, South African filmmaker Gcobisa Yako, told AFP on the sidelines of the press conference on Wednesday.

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    Netflix prevalence in the African region

    Netflix is expected to have 2.6 million users on the African continent by the end of 2021, out of a population of around 1.2 billion people, accounting for about half of all streaming on demand customers in Africa. The number of customers is expected to quadruple by 2026, reaching 5.8 million.

    According to Flix Patrol (2019), the only nations that have more than 100,000 memberships are Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt.

    On the other hand, Netflix has been investing in African originals since 2019. Among these are the star-studded reality programme Young, Famous, and African, which features superstars from throughout the continent, as well as the juvenile crime thriller Blood and Water and Queen Sono, another crime drama. This is in addition to a large number of licenced older titles.

    It recently secured multiple multi-project collaboration agreements with top African filmmakers and production organisations. The King’s Horseman, a film version of Nobel Prize winner Wole Soyinka’s play Death and the King’s Horseman, is on its 2022/23 schedule. Others include Ludik, Netflix’s first Afrikaans-language drama, The Brave Ones, which centres on African folklore, and Kings of Queenstown, a South African soccer drama.