Choice the Australian consumer advocacy group who has turned to publicity stunts to drum up interest in their organisation, has taken a pot shot at Netflix over their geo blocking plans.
Choice basically wants Australians to breach copyright laws in an effort to overcome Netflix’s attempts to stop the illegal downloading of content that Netflix does not have the rights to in Australia.
It was only a few months ago that Netflix was crushing Samsung washing machines in an effort to generate publicity.
Right now Netflix does not have the rights in Australia to certain Hollywood content. These rights are held by organisations such as Foxtel, The Seven and Ten Networks and Nine Entertainment or Roadshow who have paid large sums of money for the rights to this content.
Netflix who are moving to become a global content Company have said that they will respect the rights of Copyright holds. Choice has said bugger this we will urge Australians to use questionable practises to obtain the content.
Last week Netflix announced that it will use technology to halt proxy tools that allow subscribers watch programs available in other countries but not in their own.
Choice has slammed the decision, pointing out that there are about 8,500 items in the U.S. Netflix library compared to 1,300 in Australia.
Choice has not commented on the concept of people using technology to unlock them
Now Choice whose subscriptions are falling, is urging Australian subscribers to help each other to continue using ‘unblockers’.
‘Many Australian Netflix subscribers will be shocked to find that they’ll be downgraded from accessing U.S. Netflix to the much smaller Australian library – losing out on thousands of titles,’ Choice director of Campaigns and Communications Matt Levey said.
‘Up until now, Australians could shop internationally for content using a simple unblocking service and their Australian account to access Netflix international catalogues.’
‘The popularity of Netflix in Australia has a lot to do with its progressive approach to content that allowed consumers to access more of the latest release programs from around the world in a timely manner.’
Choice argued that the 340,000 Australian subscribers were ‘baited and switched’ by the U.S. streaming company.
‘Rather than putting barriers up, it’s time to recognise Internet as global”.
Netflix’s Vice President of Content Delivery Architecture David Fullagar told ChannelNews at CES that Netflix is working to allow all 190 countries where it is available to view the same library “but it won’t happen just yet” he said.
‘We are making progress in licensing content across the world and, as of last week, now offer the Netflix service in 190 countries, but we have a way to go before we can offer people the same films and TV series everywhere,’ he wrote.
