Aussie streaming audiences lining up for next week’s launch of the local version of Netflix are being urged to instead access the US versions.
A Web-site dubbed UnblockUs has written to its Australian customers, encouraging them to continue to use the US version of Netflix in the face of the upcoming Australian launch.
The move comes despite an Australian Government move to legislate to enable content owners to file court orders seeking to force Internet service providers to block overseas file-sharing Web sites.
In an e-mail to its subscribers titled “Netflix, Down Under!”, UnblockUs says Australian Netflix, which is due to launch next Tuesday, will offer viewers far less content. “Australian Netflix subscribers (will have) access to an initial estimated 1600 titles,” UnblockUs writes.
“Why limit your entertainment because of geolocation when you can use the UnblockUs . service to gain access to the entire global Netflix library of over 15,000 streaming titles!”
It is not known how many Australians are currently accessing US Netflix. However estimates vary from 200,000 to as much as 320,000 subscribers.
Australians looking to bypass the geo-block pay a Netflix subscription of US$8.95 (A$11.70) a month and a further US$4.95 a month to UnblockUs.
