Movie and TV streaming service Netflix is to launch in the UK and Ireland in early 2012, according to the company today. Pricing will be announced closer to launch but the company says it will launch on a range of consumer electronics devices capable of streaming from Netflix, as well as on PCs, Macs and mobile tablets and phones.
In the UK it will go head to head with Amazon-owned Lovefilm, the well established streaming service. Amazon acquired LoveFilm in January for £200m, having previously held a 42 per cent stake in LoveFilm from since 2008 when Lovefilm acquired its European DVD rental business.
In the US Netflix costs $7.99 a month. LoveFilm pioneered its business offering unlimited DVD rentals by mail for a monthly subscription fee of £9.99 in the UK.
At acquisition LoveFilm had been backed by Index Ventures, Balderton Capital, Arts Alliance Media and DFJ Esprit.