Netflix has finally said ‘bonjour’ to France after the video-on-demand site marked its long-awaited arrival in the country, another part of its ambitious European expansion program.
Announced via a tweet, Netflix’s imminent arrival has had French broadcasters scrambling for a response. Top broadcaster Canal Play has been investing in online services, while others are offering stacks of free content online to combat the new arrival.
Things may not be plain sailing however. Set-top boxes are hugely popular media channels in France, where they are offered as part of internet-TV-phone deals, and, for now, Netflix is not offered by the all-powerful set-top box operators. For now Netflix will stick to its website and apps, but there are hints that set-top box companies could embrace it if it gains traction among the public.
➤ Netflix officially says ‘enchanté’ to France [Engadget]
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