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It is no secret that plenty of Netflix subscribers use a VPN to access content from other countries, mainly the US as it tends to have the most relevant library of content. It is also no shock that Hollywood companies aren't too happy about this practice, but instead of blocking out VPN users, Netflix wants to remove the need to use one.
Netflix just launched in Australia and while the subscription service is perfectly legal, using a VPN to access content outside of your region technically is not. For movie and TV studios, geographical licensing agreements are a major part of their business but the VPN problem can be easily fixed if companies would offer their content globally without restrictions, according to Netflix CEO, Reed Hastings.
According to Hastings, the use of VPNs is a pretty small-scale issue in the face of proper piracy and is actually very easy to make obsolete: “The VPN thing is a small little asterisk compared to piracy. Piracy is really the problem around the world.”
VPN users are clearly willing to pay, they just can't to the content they want on locally: “The basic solution is for Netflix to get global and have its content be the same all around the world so there’s no incentive to use a VPN. Then we can work on the more important part which is piracy”.
Lack of availability is often the root cause of VPN use and tradition piracy in some cases. However, it still remains to be seen if traditional media studios will make the switch and begin dealing out licenses globally, rather than keeping things locked down per region.
You can read Gizmodo's full interview (Via TorrentFreak) with Reed Hastings, HERE.
Discuss on our Facebook page, HERE.
KitGuru Says: Geographical restrictions are harder to impose than ever, which isn't surprising as everyone is connected these days through the internet, if a new TV series is airing in the US for instance, the rest of the world is going to know about it and also want to see it. VPN users are paying customers, if global licenses were the norm, then there would be no need for them other than for privacy and security purposes.
I like the idea of things going global. It stinks when I can’t share a show with a friend due to the content not being licensed in their region. I can only imagine how much worse it is to be on the blocked side of that. 🙁
In Denmark, things are released so much later than elsewhere. When the 5th season of a series land in the US, the 3rd season is released in Denmark. Oh, and most of the movies and series are never released and Netflix is more expensive in Denmark than the US because fuck logic.
I’ve had Netflix for some time, but after watching the majority of the interesting stuff, I dropped it and went to piracy. It’s so much better on every level and easier than having to deal with VPN and proxies.
I just wish they’d make it global. I’d happily sign up for that.
I assumed they’d just stay silent on this one because it’s a hopeless fight. Good for them for having the balls to stand up to the greedy studios.
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Been seeing this since I discovered Netflix 2 years ago and a VPN is too much of a bother for me to use constantly. Guess it’s a pirates life for me!
Hola VPN browser plugin. Problem solved
if you dont think theyll rack up the prices to cover their additional costs to studios you are deluded
never used it never will or bbc or itv or this or that only that and this ,i like trolling
My ISP gives me 10mbps down 1mbps up, good enough to stream, not good enough to stream while using a VPN. I’ll get 480P if i’m lucky with a VPN
I’ve tended to assume it’s just never going to happen. The studios don’t want it, so they’ll not do it. I don’t think prices really come into it.
My ISP gives me 4mbps down and 0.5 up. I use Hola VPN and stream at 720P, It does not influence quality.
well this is true, i dont think they will allow it, but if they did it would be for a price