TV-streaming movie website goes live

IRISH television audiences can now use their internet connection to access one of the world’s biggest movie and TV-streaming websites.

US-based Netflix which has more than 20 million users in 47 countries worldwide, went live in Britain and Ireland yesterday giving customers the chance to watch unlimited movies and TV shows online for a monthly subscription of €6.99.

Initially, Netflix is offering a free, one-month trial of its entire service at netflix.com and perhaps that is why the viewing options available do not seem that appealing.

The launch schedule includes films and television programmes from All3Media, the BBC, CBS, Channel 4’s 4oD, Disney UK & Ireland, ITV, Lionsgate UK, MGM, Miramax, Momentum Pictures, NBCUniversal, Paramount, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox and Viacom International Media Networks.

It says it will add further options in the coming months and many of the programmes will be available in hi-def and with Dolby sound.

However when, for example, one views the “thriller” section of the “browse selection” part of the website, all the offerings seem either old — Reservoir Dogs, Fatal Attraction — or to be of a type that would not have set the box office alight.

The programmes can be accessed through a range of internet-connected devices including Smart TVs, game consoles, Blu-ray players, tablets and mobile phones.

In the US, Netflix has started to compete with major TV networks by acquiring the rights to popular TV dramas.

It is estimated in America movie-watching accounts for almost 30% of the country’s entire internet traffic.

Meanwhile, Sky has announced it has joined up with “zeebox” to offer a “companion app” experience for Sky customers.

It says this app will give the viewer “augmented” TV viewing features, such as connecting with friends around TV shows, finding more information about what’s on TV, and buying products relating to their favourite programmes.

The zeebox service — currently available on iPhone, iPad and the web — serves up social media feeds and conversations via Twitter and Facebook.

Consumers use “zeetags” to search the web for more information, read up on characters or actors, purchase music, buy products featured on-screen — whether during programmes or ad breaks — or to share their views with friends and followers on social media.

The new service will be rolled out by Sky later this year.