The World’s leading internet television company, Netflix has announced that it is expanding to about 130 companies around the world including Nigeria. According to the Press Release issued by the company, subscribers to Netflix service will be able to stream their series and catalogue of licensed TV shows and movies.
Netflix is also available on virtually any device that has an Internet connection, including personal computers, tablets, smartphones, Smart TVs and game consoles, and is known to provide one of the best possible streaming quality based on available bandwidth. The company followed the announcements with a series of tweets.
… Netflix is now global. #NetflixEverywhere
— Netflix US (@netflix) January 6, 2016
Implication for Nigeria
Winners
Before now watching Netflix from Nigeria was virtually impossible as you get blocked once your IP address is recognized as coming from Nigeria. By including Nigeria, interested subscribers can now access Neflix in exchange for a fee giving them access to their bouquet of movies, series and TV shows. Internet service providers in Nigeria will be happy to hear this announcements as it means Nigerians will have to rely on their service to stream programs. Internet consumption in Nigeria has been on an increase in recent years and now forms a huge chunk of the revenues accruing to GSM companies. Nigerians are now used to browsing the internet with their mobile phones, tablets and laptops relying on mifi’s, internet modems and VSAT. According to the National Communications Commission, NCC, Internet subscription numbers for GSM companies was about 97 million and almost thrice the number in 2012.
Losers
The news might not be so good for Nigerian companies into internet movie, series and TV show streaming. Netflix has a huge economies of scale that they can’t compete with and have also started adding Nigerian movies in their bouquet. They are also very good in the business of internet television and have what it takes to embark on a price war with their Nigerian competitors. Digital satellite TV stations are also threatened by this news as Netflix also boast of an impressive catalogue of series, TV shows and Box Office movies.
The Nigerian government could also lose tax revenues and face another round of forex pressures on its external reserves if the subscription is priced in US dollars. If the Nigerian Government is not up to speed with its plans to widen its tax base it could lose potential revenues to the US.
wow.. you took the netflix thing to a whole new different level…. but am happy its here though
Nice article. I hope Netflix presence in Nigeria will push DSTV subscription fee down.
This is so exciting for those of us tired of DSTv with all their rubbish. Nice to have Netflix Nigeria
But seriously, it should be charged in naira and not dollar
1. Netflix is a bit overatted – thier catalogue isn’t that great save for their new original shows and movies 2. Bandwidth is still the bottleneck in Nigeria 3. They wouldn’t actually expect you to pay in dollars.
An opportunity for the Nigerian government to put pressure on Netflix to charge in Naira.
Talking of Netflix ,I think it’s time fellow Naijas who love games consider Marketglory here..http://www.marketglory.com/strategygame/Opearl
The subscription won’t be charged in naira if the government doesn’t make Netflix charge in naira