Skip to main content

Netflix vies for world domination, launches in 130 more countries (but no China)

Netflix access has been switched on in 130 new countries this morning, adding virtually every major market in the world to the service’s global footprint, except China. The company also announced two new self-produced series that will be coming to the service later this year.

The news came as part of CEO Reed Hastings’ keynote speech at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The rollout announcement marks a major turning point in global availability for the streaming company, which currently has 70 million subscribers, and comes on the heels of news that Russia would soon see Netflix roll out. And though the company had previous announced intentions for global rollout by the end of 2016, most commentators expected that rollout in smaller waves, much like availability to the service grew in Europe.

Russia got the service this morning, and other major nations that were also announced to get the service immediately, among the scores of others, include Vietnam, India, Nigeria, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, and Indonesia.

“Today, you have witnessed an incredible event,” the CEO said after making his announcement.

But before making his landmark rollout speech, Hastings gave the floor to the company’s chief content officer Ted Sarandos, who highlighted and aired trailers for two new Netflix original series which will air later this year.

The first, called The Crown, will be set in 1950s England, and depict the beginning years of Queen Elizabeth’s reign. The Queen will be played by actress Claire Foy (Wolf Hall), with Prince Phillip being played by Dr. Who actor Matt Smith.

The second series, called The Get Down follows the emergence of hip-hop in 1970s New York. The new show is being produced and directed by Australian filmmaker Baz Luhrmann (The Great Gatsby, Moulin Rouge).

Between the two announcements by Hastings and Sarandos, fans of the streaming network and rapidly-expanding content creator have a lot to buzz about.

And as far as the last remaining market to capture, China, the CEO expressed his hopefulness that Netflix will be made available there too in the not-so-distant future.

Whether or not Netflix will be available there by year’s end remains to be seen, but with an addition of 130 new countries — over twice the size of the company’s global footprint of 60 nations that existed before Hastings’ talk began this morning — Netflix is now a distinctly more worldwide phenomena, whether China decides to join the party or not.

Updated on 1-6-15 by Parker Hall: Added link to full list of countries added.

Editors' Recommendations

Parker Hall
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Parker Hall is a writer and musician from Portland, OR. He is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlin…
The Idol season 1, episode 1 release date, time, channel, and plot
Lily-Rose Depp and Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye in The Idol.

With the conclusion of Succession, HBO now has a void in the coveted Sunday night slot. Enter The Idol, the next HBO drama series with aspirations of becoming a buzzworthy show. Lily-Rose Depp stars as Jocelyn, an aspiring pop star looking to become the world's top artist after a nervous breakdown ended her previous tour. While planning a comeback, Jocelyn meets Tedros, played by Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye, a self-help cult leader and nightclub owner who begins a tumultuous relationship with the singer.

Tesfaye co-created the series with Reza Fahim and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson. The Idol had a splashy debut at the 76th Cannes Film Festival, where it became a heated topic of discussion after critics panned the first two episodes. Yet, Levinson believes the attention will work in The Idol's favor, with the potential to become the "biggest show of the summer." With the premiere set for tonight, keep reading for information about the release date, time, channel, and plot for the first episode of The Idol season 1.
When does episode 1 of The Idol season 1 release?

Read more
6 LGBTQ+ movies to check out for Pride 2023
Two men dance in Summer of '85.

Every June, countries around the world mark Pride Month, a 30-day celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. In addition to parades and rainbow-colored merchandise seemingly everywhere, Pride can also be celebrated by simply turning on your television.

LGBTQ+ movies and documentaries are everywhere, and while some are better than others, the selection is deep and impressive. As a result, it can be a bit overwhelming to choose a worthy movie to watch. Never fear as Digital Trends has a handy guide to the best LGBTQ+ movies you should watch during Pride Month.
Spoiler Alert (2022)

Read more
Where to watch Stars on Mars live stream for free
Astronauts walk the surface in Stars on Mars.

To colonize Mars, the human race has elected to send celebrities, not astronauts, to be the ones to occupy the Red Planet. Well, it's a simulated version of Mars, but the goal remains the same. Celebrities will attempt to colonize, compete, and conquer the Martian planet in Fox's new reality series, Stars on Mars.

12 well-known personalities must live in the "most realistic celebrity Mars colony simulation ever created" for a new reality competition. The series was filmed in Coober Pedy, a remote mining town in Southern Australia. The stars will face a series of challenges during their stay, and they must vote off one of their colleagues each week and send them "back to Earth." Only one celebrity will win and be the sole survivor of this social experiment.

Read more