Netflix: US vs International

[Darth Knox]

So during a recent conversation in another thread with another member, it came to light that Netflix UK may have more content available than Netflix US. Obviously I don't have access to Netflix US to investigate, but it did make me curious. Did some research and discovered some interesting titbits about how Netlfix licensing operates in US vs Internationally:

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I’m looking for a TV show or movie, and I can’t find it. Why doesn’t Netflix have what I'm looking for?
[/b]Netflix works with content providers, distributors, producers, and creators to acquire licensing for TV shows and movies to stream on our service. When content is not available to stream, it can be for a few different reasons, including:

A) The content rights are currently exclusive to another company.
B) The streaming rights are not available to purchase from the content provider.
C) Popularity, cost, seasonal or other localized factors, or availability.

Why is a TV show or movie available in one country but not another?
There are many reasons a TV show or movie may be available to audiences in one country or region but not another, including:

1) Regional tastes
We do our best to shape our service by region. For example, some TV shows and movies that are popular with our members in the United States may not be desirable to members in the United Kingdom, even though they're both English-speaking regions.

2) Multiple rights owners
More than one studio or distributor may own regional rights for a TV show or movie. For example, we may sign an agreement with a distributor to show a US-made movie in Latin America before we've signed an agreement with the studio that made that movie to show it in the US.

3) No rights available for a region
Sometimes a TV show or movie simply isn't available in a particular region. We can't buy a TV show or movie license for a specific region if no one is selling it.

Why are some Netflix original TV shows or movies available in one country, but not another?
With most Netflix originals, we own all the rights to the title and can stream it anywhere in the world. Originals we can stream anywhere include Narcos, BoJack Horseman, Master of None, Beasts of No Nation, and more.

Some Netflix originals are not available in all regions, for the following reasons:

A) When some Netflix originals were created, Netflix was only available in a small number of countries, so we did not secure the licensing rights for all global regions.

B) Despite a TV show or movie being a Netflix original, other companies may have the rights to stream it in a particular region due to content deals made before Netflix was available in that region.

C) Depending on the region, Netflix may not be able to obtain the licensing rights for an original series for many years.

Some Netflix originals that we do not yet have global licensing for include Orange is the New Black, Arrested Development, and Lilyhammer.

Why do TV shows and movies leave Netflix?
Netflix licenses TV shows and movies from studios and content providers around the world, and those licenses can expire if we don't renew them. Though we strive to keep the content you want to see, we acquire licensing rights for TV shows and movies for a certain period of time - not indefinitely - so some titles do leave Netflix. If a TV show or movie you love is leaving, it indicates that our licensing agreement with the content provider is about to end.

Whenever a TV show or movie is expiring, we evaluate whether or not to renew it using the same criteria we apply to potential new content. We consider factors like:

A) Are the rights to renew the licensing to stream still available?

B) What is the popularity and cost of a particular title?

C) Are there other seasonal or localized factors?

If a TV show or movie is renewed, it remains on our service for you to enjoy. If a TV show or movie is not renewed, we'll give you a heads up on our website that it's about to expire.

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So, there you go. I assume that the same is true for Amazon Prime as well. It is probably a lot more complicated when it comes to TV networks wanting their shows to be broadcast internationally. I know a bidding war can happen (Sky outbid the BBC for seasons 4 and 5 of Angel back in the day. They also outbid Channel 4 for Lost season 3 onwards).

[ThreadJack]

More and more it seems like Netflix is just taking steps towards becoming a vehicle for their original content and nothing else really. They push it hard, and it seems every month a higher and higher percentage of content is "Netflix Original." Both due to the number of titles growing, and other things leaving. Same with Prime, and I don't have Hulu so can't say for sure, but I'd imagine the trend holds.

I'm also noticing a lot of "original" content is not in fact original at all. It's repackaged international content that they bought the US rights to, or domestic content that they scooped up when the original owner passed. Two examples: Their just released series "Always A Witch" is actually a Colombian show that they bought and repackaged for distribution here, dubbed over in English, very badly I might add. Also another recently released series "You" is actually a former Lifetime series that was renewed for a second season, and then sold to Netflix as an exclusive. It's now being branded as "Netflix Original."

[Darth Knox]

More and more it seems like Netflix is just taking steps towards becoming a vehicle for their original content and nothing else really. They push it hard, and it seems every month a higher and higher percentage of content is "Netflix Original." Both due to the number of titles growing, and other things leaving. Same with Prime, and I don't have Hulu so can't say for sure, but I'd imagine the trend holds.

This is because companies like Disney, CBS and DC and more are all launching their own streaming services and therefore are pulling their content from elsewhere so they can show it themselves.

I count my self lucky that I live in the UK as by just having Prime and Netflix I am totally covered when it comes to all the tv shows I want to watch. I don't worry about the movies so much as all the ones I really want to see I'll watch at the cinema. But streaming is good to catch up on average movies that I purposely gave a pass on at the cinema.

I'm also noticing a lot of "original" content is not in fact original at all. It's repackaged international content that they bought the US rights to, or domestic content that they scooped up when the original owner passed. Two examples: Their just released series "Always A Witch" is actually a Colombian show that they bought and repackaged for distribution here, dubbed over in English, very badly I might add. Also another recently released series "You" is actually a former Lifetime series that was renewed for a second season, and then sold to Netflix as an exclusive. It's now being branded as "Netflix Original."

Yeah, the term "Netflix Original" doesn't necessarily mean they produced it themselves. The Good Place (in the UK) is classed as a Netflix Original. But it all helps in Netflix's drive to aid their branding as cover for the oncoming streaming wars.

[Darth Tepes]

I wonder if this is going to implode though because  I have 2 streaming services as of now, netflix and Crunchyroll.  I can not justify more than 2 really.  Currently there are things on Netflix that can not be seen elsewhere (The Dragon Prince, Stranger Things to name 2). 

[Darth Knox]

Of course it's going to implode. Too much content and individual streaming services is not a sustainable business model for the industry. People will only be able to afford 2 or 3. Or they will sign up up for a month, binge the shows they want then cancel.

And what the hell is "crunchyroll"? Sounds like kids breakfast cereal

[ThreadJack]

I have Netflix and Prime video, and that's all I plan on having for the foreseeable future. The good part about Prime is you can rent or buy things that aren't included, so at least I can watch things that I REALLY want to see, but aren't included or available on Netflix, so long as it isn't a Hulu original. I may dump Prime Video, I'm not planning on renewing my full membership, as I can't really justify $120 when Video is the only service I use enough to justify paying for.

One thing Prime loves to do, which makes me mad, is they offer part of a series included, then the last 1-2 seasons need to be paid separately for, or subscribe to a tack on service(HBO, Showtime, etc) to watch it. Just enough to get you invested.

Honestly, this upcoming streaming war is why I believe cable is not dead yet. It's going to get to a point where cable with a DVR will be cheaper again than paying for 20 different streaming services, and you'll get most of the same stuff anyway.

[scifidude79]

I have Prime but, to be honest, I use it more for the 2 day shipping and included music than for videos. I occasionally watch something on Prime Video, but not very often. This upcoming (or ongoing, depending on your point of view) streaming war is not one I want to be involved in. I tried both CBSAA and DC Universe and neither had enough content to keep me interested, nor was I keeping subscribed to either for one show (Star Trek: Discovery and Titans, respectively.) If this is how things will be going moving forward, count me out. What's going to happen with a number of those, and indeed is already happening, is that people are going to wait for that show they want to have a full season up, subscribe and binge that show, then unsubscribe. I know a guy who plans to do just that with CBSAA and Star Trek: Discovery. Others will find "other" means of seeing the shows they want to see.

I really wish I was in England sometimes. I know some other people from England and it sounds like the version of Netflix that you guys get over there is amazing. Netflix in the US used to be amazing, but it's gone to crap lately since stuff has been pulled by these studios with dreams of grandeur. And, for some reason, we're the test market for their individual streaming services. My guess would be the population added to the fact that a lot of content is created for this market anyway, plus smart TVs and streaming devices are super easy to come by over here. Also, the US's FCC may be easy to deal with than the equivalent agencies of other countries, I have no idea on that one. Over here, streaming seems to fall under the same laws as the Internet in general, which has little to no regulation. This is a sharp contrast to the regulation (censorship) on OTA and cable TV stations.

The really dumb part is that these streaming devices and whatnot are sold over here as a way to "cut the cord" of cable and, thus, cut out a higher priced cable bill. Well, if I have to subscribe to 10 streaming services at $6 to $10 a piece (guesstimated) is that any cheaper? No, it's not. These companies don't seem to understand that people want to save money, not stop paying one entity for their content only to start paying several for the content.

[ThreadJack]

Exactly, scifidude. A lot of people will end up subscribing for a month, watching the shows they want, cancel, sign up for a different service to watch the shows they want there, wash, rinse, and repeat. Then when the shows release new seasons, will sign up again, and do the same. Until the companies catch on and start locking you into a service contract, making you pay for X number of months upfront and not issuing refunds if you decide to cancel after a month, just let you finish out the contract period, effectively forcing you to decide which service you want to be locked into for six months to a year.

[scifidude79]

Another reason Netflix is smarter and has a better idea what they're doing is that they drop an entire season on a single day, rather than drip-feeding episodes to you over a matter of weeks to keep you subscribed. If people don't see the subscription as an obligation, then they're more likely to stay subscribed. These other companies are just too used to regular TV, where you have an episode every week. Not necessary with streaming, and it only serves to point out how little content they actually have. I was literally trying to find stuff of interest to watch on DC Universe and all I found was Batman: Year One, which is pretty much a 1:1 adaptation of the comic, and I kept having issues during the stream that made me not want to watch anything else. CBSAA was even worse as I had no interest in any of the other content.

[Darth Tepes]

Of course it's going to implode. Too much content and individual streaming services is not a sustainable business model for the industry. People will only be able to afford 2 or 3. Or they will sign up up for a month, binge the shows they want then cancel.

And what the hell is "crunchyroll"? Sounds like kids breakfast cereal

CrunchyRoll..as in the type of Sushi...is a streaming service that streams Anime directly from Japan.

[ThreadJack]

Another reason Netflix is smarter and has a better idea what they're doing is that they drop an entire season on a single day, rather than drip-feeding episodes to you over a matter of weeks to keep you subscribed. If people don't see the subscription as an obligation, then they're more likely to stay subscribed. These other companies are just too used to regular TV, where you have an episode every week. Not necessary with streaming, and it only serves to point out how little content they actually have. I was literally trying to find stuff of interest to watch on DC Universe and all I found was Batman: Year One, which is pretty much a 1:1 adaptation of the comic, and I kept having issues during the stream that made me not want to watch anything else. CBSAA was even worse as I had no interest in any of the other content.

There's only a few shows that upload piecemeal, like traditional TV, and that's simply because they have to, due to production format.... it's kinda hard to shoot something like The Joel McHale Show all at once, when you don't know what's going to go viral a week ahead of time.

[scifidude79]

There's only a few shows that upload piecemeal, like traditional TV, and that's simply because they have to, due to production format.... it's kinda hard to shoot something like The Joel McHale Show all at once, when you don't know what's going to go viral a week ahead of time.

Valid point, though I was of course referring to scripted fiction shows.

[Darth Knox]

I think tv networks in general are going to realise that more and more people will prefer to plan the shows around their life, rather than their life around the shows. The traditional broadcast model of showing a specific episode on a specific day is quickly becoming outdated, because life is busy with so many more distractions. I'd rather be able to sit down and three or four episodes in a row than one a week. Also, there's nothing to stop networks filming an entire series in one go and then releasing it. Netflix has had great success doing that with their Marvel shows and Stranger Things. Of course, there is no guarantee that the show will be a hit, but that's no different to how things are now.

As for devices, I use my PS3 and PS4. The PS3 is downstairs in living room hooked up to the tv there. My PS4 is hooked up to the tv in my bedroom. Through both I can watch Netflix, Prime, Youtube, BBC Iplayer and a whole host of UK based online channels on my tv rather than a small screened device/tablet. Plus i can watch my dvds/blurays on them too. All round win.

Also, I'd like to point out that I did write this first

People will only be able to afford 2 or 3. Or they will sign up up for a month, binge the shows they want then cancel.

So 

[ThreadJack]

I have a Roku, and it's the best thing ever! My PS4 has issues which make it unreliable. I can't tell you how many times it would just shut off and not come back on mid episode or movie... that's frustrating.

Also I've found quite a few BBC series are on Netflix here, which is cool.

[Darth Knox]

I have a Roku, and it's the best thing ever! My PS4 has issues which make it unreliable. I can't tell you how many times it would just shut off and not come back on mid episode or movie... that's frustrating.

What's a Roku? And have taken your PS4 in for a service to diagnose/fix the problem? I have heard that some PS3s would experience random glitches (powering off for no reason, not ejecting discs etc). Could just be a random design flaw.