NETFLIX, A NEW ERA FOR KENYA'S TV VIEWERSHIP.
Netflix is an Internet television network. To watch anything on Netflix, consumers have to subscribe and make smart viewing choices by providing details on the titles on Netflix, including ratings and episode synopses as well as providing parental controls.
Its inclusion into the Kenyan market now adds up to six, the number of pay TV options to chose from, with DSTv, Zuku, GoTv, Star Times, and Safaricom’s theBIGbox included in the list.
Netflix offers unlimited access to movies, documentaries and series at significantly lower monthly rates than the rate cards of Kenyan pay-TV firms Wananchi Group and MultiChoice, which operate Zuku and DStv respectively.
The company announced the inclusion of 31 new and returning original series in a programs lineup that includes 24 original feature films and documentaries, a wide range of stand-up comedy specials and 30 original kids' series. It is also expected that Netflix will partner with local providers, especially the free-to-air channels in order to avail this content on the digital broadcasting platform where its signals can easily be accessed.
New subscribers to NetFlix will enjoy the first month of service free with an option of three packages in subsequent months.
The first package will cost Sh816 which grants subscribers unlimited access to movies with an option to cancel membership at any time.
The second package will attract a Sh1018 monthly fee; subscribers of this package will enjoy among other benefits streaming in high definition and watching on two screens simultaneously. Additionally, subscribers will be able to access the service across different devices (smartphone, tablet, desktop and laptop computers, and smart TVs).
Subscribers on the third pay package - to cost Sh1223 - will have the added benefit of streaming on four different screens simultaneously in ultra high definition.
This is quite a cheaper option compared to what is in the Kenyan market today. DSTv which has enjoyed dominance was in September last year faulted for charging high prices for its range of packages with the premium package charging a high of Sh9,400 per month.
The Netflix technology enables consumers around the world to simultaneously enjoy TV shows and movies without having to wait thus putting power in consumers’ hands to watch whenever, wherever and on whatever device. With it, subscribers get their desired content through Internet Protocol, more or less like You Tube. All platforms have no commercial breaks during programming, and can be paused and resumed at a later time.
One can enjoy Netflix content via a computer, smartphone/tablet and some third party decoders. On the desktop/personal computer, one can login on the main site and stream or if they have Windows 10, download the Netflix application. The Netflix app is also available on Android, iOS , Windows Phone , on Chrome and on gaming consoles like the PS4, PS3, Xbox One and Xbox 360. You can also access Netflix content on media players like Apple TV.
Just like any other online company, you need to login on netflix.com and create your own account, a process that will include you adding your credit card information so as to pay for the service.
Netflix guarantees a large collection of TV shows and movies that are available in the Netflix repository though one cannot expect to find every show or movie that they would want to watch thanks to licensing issues in different countries.
If one wants to access content that is not available in their country, they can use normal VPNs like Anonymox and TunnelBear. However, since these VPNs affect the whole browser, when they want to use Netflix on their computer, they should use one that is specific to Netflix and an example is Smartflix.
Netflix has a very high uptake in the US, hitting audience ratings and slashed advertising revenues for cable and satellite channels. It boasts about 74 million subscribers mainly in the US and Europe.
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