Netflix is finally available in South Africa (along with most of the rest of the world), which is pretty good news. Admittedly, the selection of content isn’t quite as good as the library available to many of the other regions.
For those of us who’ve been using Netflix for years thanks to DNS services and proxies like Unotelly though, the limited content isn’t a problem, as we’re able to switch regions on the fly, and watch content from very nearly any of the regions in which Netflix is available.
That sort of unfettered access may soon come to an end though, says Netflix itself.
“Some members use proxies or “unblockers” to access titles available outside their territory,” says Netflix Vice President of Content Delivery Architecture David Fullagar. “To address this, we employ the same or similar measures other firms do. This technology continues to evolve and we are evolving with it. That means in coming weeks, those using proxies and unblockers will only be able to access the service in the country where they currently are. We are confident this change won’t impact members not using proxies.”
Now before you go shaking your fists at Netflix itself, this is likely because their hand is forced by the distributors and licensors of such content.
“If all of our content were globally available, there wouldn’t be a reason for members to use proxies or “unblockers” to fool our systems into thinking they’re in a different country than they’re actually in,” Fullagar says. “We are making progress in licensing content across the world and, as of last week, now offer the Netflix service in 190 countries, but we have a ways to go before we can offer people the same films and TV series everywhere.”
This is a change that will impact me personally, as I switch between regions all the time using services like Filmefy to see what’s available where.
The unfortunate reality of it all, is that strong-armed geo-fencing like this on the part of content distributors is only likely to increase piracy, which is counterproductive.
In case you missed it, we have a few shows we’ve recommended on Netflix, all of which are available on the South African service.
Last Updated: January 15, 2016
Original Heretic
January 15, 2016 at 08:33
I really don’t agree with them doing this at all. If someone wants to watch something and if they’re actually paying for the service, why stop them? Proxy users are not pirates, we’re not pirates that are sponging off the system, we’re just using existing technology to it’s full potential.
Gardos
January 15, 2016 at 09:33
I think (and please feel free to correct me) it’s because distributors get paid a fee for every service wishing to broadcast a particular show/film in a country. So Netflix has paid that fee to broadcast within the US and if you or I try to access that from outside, the distributor is losing out on receiving that fee from a South African broadcaster (DStv etc.)… So in the end, they actually are losing money although we can debate how ridiculous that system is in the first place.
Original Heretic
January 15, 2016 at 09:39
You might be right with that, but I still find it thoroughly daft. To me it’s the same principle as ordering something online from a foreign country because buying it locally is more expensive and sub-par.
Gardos
January 15, 2016 at 09:43
Thoroughly daft is right! One day the content creators will catch up with the rest of the world and realise each country isn’t sealed off from every other. It’s a global society. Looks like those pirate ships are readying their sails again…
Francois Knoetze
January 15, 2016 at 08:37
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!I have been using this for years and have a huge list of titles I am catching up on!! I do not want to go back to the dark side of eztv 🙁
Captain JJ 4x
January 15, 2016 at 10:08
Hulu
Check it out
Francois Knoetze
January 15, 2016 at 10:56
the amount of ads on hulu made me want to slit my wrists, burn my house down, run through the streets in a loin cloth with a plunger as a spear…
Captain JJ 4x
January 15, 2016 at 11:43
You can get the one without it.
At least.
But I’m a bad reference, I barely ever watch anything.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
January 15, 2016 at 11:24
eztv is no more – the original owner got his site stolen, and the new eztv is a dodgy place. Kickass torrents is the only safe place for young aspiring Somali Pirates. 🙁
Francois Knoetze
January 15, 2016 at 12:54
well this just pisses on my parade today and I was in such a Jolly mood 🙁
Umar
January 15, 2016 at 08:39
I’ve not dabbled in this at all, but the initial Netflix for SA isn’t that bad, but I’m sure if you’re used to other region’s content, it would seem lacking. I actually found that the combo of Netflix and Showmax is pretty good. Considering keeping both as they’re both cheap.
Gardos
January 15, 2016 at 09:36
That’s what I reckon too. Luckily I’m also piggybacking off my parent’s DStv subscription (I do what needs to be done) so I can stream Supersport. All sorted really!
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 15, 2016 at 08:43
Yip, distributors have been bitching about this for years. Mostly because they don’t get to price gouge with regional pricing. Netflix didn’t worry because they still got paid.
Purple_Dragon
January 15, 2016 at 08:47
While that is not great news it’s not the end of the world. Yes, the SA Netflix is lacking but I actually quite happy with the content so far. The biggest thing for me is that Netflix has subtitles for deaf and hard of hearing on all their content. Local distributors like Ster Kinekor and Showmax don’t have subtitles on their content.
So far I have plenty to watch, probably enough to keep me watching for at least a year.
I also think Netflix SA content will get better over time.
Allykhat
January 15, 2016 at 08:53
Fair enough, but get better over time? Not if multichoice have anything to say about it.
Purple_Dragon
January 15, 2016 at 08:54
More likely to be more of Netflix’s own content.
Allykhat
January 15, 2016 at 08:55
And when show rights gets sold to MC?
House of cards and Orange is the new black?
Purple_Dragon
January 15, 2016 at 08:56
Yeah, I think they won’t be able to do anything about House of Cards etc. But I think they won’t sell any new shows coming up to MC.
Allykhat
January 15, 2016 at 08:56
The kicker comes in with shows that are co-owned by a third party like Sony. Sony will sell the rights then BAM… Netflix can’t show it locally.
Purple_Dragon
January 15, 2016 at 09:00
Yep, that is the kicker.
Loftus
January 15, 2016 at 09:13
It would be interesting to see how many people cancels their dstv accounts, opting for Netflix. Third parties will sell their product to how ever has the most money/ most customers.
Allykhat
January 15, 2016 at 09:15
DSTV wont lose their market share until they lose SuperSport. As long as there are sports addicts, people will keep DSTV.
Loftus
January 15, 2016 at 09:23
Most sports can be streamed. I come form a family of Rugby fanatics and they have cancel Dstv and stream live games rather then watching it.
schitsophrenic-toothbrush
January 15, 2016 at 09:40
Where do you stream from? VIPbox?
Marc O Polo
January 15, 2016 at 10:18
Sure when Netflix renews rights to shows they’ll negotiate to get all the regions rights, I imagine there ultimate plan will be to have Netflix the same world wide
Milesh Bhana
January 15, 2016 at 10:19
yeah subs are a big deal for me too. I tend to multitask or just watch at low volume sometimes,
I’d still consider ShowMax if they got apps on more platforms.
Michelle
January 15, 2016 at 08:48
I use a blocker in my browser and I changed the region on myy console and DNS settings and have access to so much more.
The SA netflix sucks,lack of content and non of the stuff are up to date.
Gardos
January 15, 2016 at 09:39
I recently changed the DNS on my computer and accessed Netflix US without a hitch but the same DNS service doesn’t seem to work on my Xbox One for some reason. Deal breaker. Apparently Netflix has actively cracked down on that sort of stuff on devices like consoles and Apple TV. Something to do with static IP’s? I don’t really know.
miaau
January 15, 2016 at 09:56
I have been having issues with connecting from the Xbox for a few days now, but it seems to be related to my suddenly ridiculously slow internet.
Gardos
January 15, 2016 at 12:09
As per some of the setup instructions pages for SmartDNSProxy, they’re saying Netflix now requires Static IP routing to be setup on your router to work on certain devices (like Apple TV, Chromecast & XB1). When I couldn’t get it to work I figured that was the problem. Also, I don’t have access to my router so my dreams are shot! Might be something you should investigate?
Michelle
January 15, 2016 at 11:35
Rather use the DNS on the console and use hola.org for the pC
Gardos
January 15, 2016 at 12:12
The DNS on my console isn’t working. Is it still working for you?
Michelle
January 15, 2016 at 12:25
Yes it is,just look for another DNS online.
Gardos
January 15, 2016 at 12:29
Might do. This is why people give up though. Workaround after workaround… The average joe who isn’t “technically inclined” wouldn’t waste their time. And the pirates set sail…
Michelle
January 15, 2016 at 13:02
If my DNS stops working I’ll look for another one,US netflix is too amazing to just give up on.
Gardos
January 15, 2016 at 13:02
Dedication! XD
Ottokie
January 15, 2016 at 08:53
I have been wondering to either get a netflix or a crunchyroll premium account, but the decision seems easier now that proxies are blocked by netflix 😛
Allykhat
January 15, 2016 at 08:54
I’ll come right out and say it, if they block proxies and DNS servers im going back to piracy. I will not pay the same price for SA Netflix as it costs for my US netflix when more than 3/4s of my series are not listed there.
justlikemo
January 15, 2016 at 09:02
dunn Dunn DUnn DUNN.
its cool, I’ve tested connection to the local servers and they are definitely better than the overseas connection. This is due to the fact that Netflix is using kick ass lines from Telkom. You notice it when you watch locally as apposed to the overseas content, no more buffering!!!
I know people will complain about content sucks, so stop watching TV for a few months, finish your steam back log, the content will grow locally.
AfricanTime
January 15, 2016 at 09:07
I really hope not. I will cancel Netflix , until we receive more content, though i am on the SA version at the moment, watching all the Indiana Jones films.
oVg
January 15, 2016 at 09:18
Ive been watching Broadchurch, Narcos, Marco Polo, Dexter, Mission Impossible, documentaries, Not much gaming getting done at all lol
Purple_Dragon
January 15, 2016 at 09:19
Their documentaries list is very good.
oVg
January 15, 2016 at 09:20
DSTV can kiss my ass. I never understood why people would PAY for adverts.
Purple_Dragon
January 15, 2016 at 09:24
Yeah, DSTV has been pissing on their customers for too long now. They’ve been getting worse and worse.
Loftus
January 15, 2016 at 09:21
well it could turn in to gaming if you have a bottle of {insert liquor of choice} and you take a shot everytime Dexter says Dark passenger or his sister swears….
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 15, 2016 at 09:35
There’s not enough booze in the world for the latter.
Gardos
January 15, 2016 at 09:40
NARCOS! That show is awesome.
oVg
January 15, 2016 at 09:45
Netflix original. HBO need to watch out.
Gardos
January 15, 2016 at 09:49
Preach.
Geoffrey Tim
January 15, 2016 at 10:18
I FUCKING LOVE THAT SHOW. PLATA O PLOMO?
Loftus
January 15, 2016 at 09:19
I get that people are PAYING for USA Netflix and using the proxy / whatever stuff. For the SA Netflix the 1st month is FREE, doesn’t it make sense not to have all their content for free in the first month and when everyone is paying filling up the Library ?
Jan Prins
January 15, 2016 at 09:37
But can t hey confirm that is what happens?
miaau
January 15, 2016 at 09:53
Well, that sucks.
Captain JJ 4x
January 15, 2016 at 10:08
I use Hulu. Seems to work quite well for my needs 🙂
But I agree. Just like Uplay and (Rockstar’s) Social Club, all this is doing is promoting piracy.
GooseZA
January 15, 2016 at 10:09
Those ads though… uuuggghh.
Captain JJ 4x
January 15, 2016 at 10:10
Oh yea.
To be honest, I watch too little “tv” to really be able to contribute much to this conversation.
I’d say 90% of my free time spent behind a screen is on gaming.
GooseZA
January 15, 2016 at 10:12
I’m the same. I watch sport on the weekends. That’s it. Wife watches Neflix etc.
Geoffrey Tim
January 15, 2016 at 10:17
I pay for the ad free Hulu option. It’s bliss.
Captain JJ 4x
January 15, 2016 at 10:13
Netflix in SA is damn limited, for sure, but for those few Randelas you can’t expect THAT much more anyway.
Look at what happened to Steam with Rand pricing. New games are 50%-100% more expensive on Steam than retail.
SA has a very delicate and sensitive pricing system that first world countries just don’t understand. I understand it will be difficult for them to set up a decent package for us at a fair price.
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 15, 2016 at 10:23
The latest Tomb Raider is R499 on Steam at full price – Raru is selling it for R518, and that’s with a preorder discount – they’ve listed the regular price as R599. Just Cause 3 was also cheaper. So it all depends on the game.
Captain JJ 4x
January 15, 2016 at 10:26
So then it’s just Bethesda and Rockstar (surprise surprise)
Marc O Polo
January 15, 2016 at 10:16
If they implement this then amazon prime here I come….
netflixdns
January 15, 2016 at 10:21
I saw a notice on the unotelly site that you can overcome this by adding a static route to stop services such as netflix to do a reverse lookup via the google dns servers…anyone tried this?
Geoffrey Tim
January 15, 2016 at 10:37
Yeah, this used to be necessary for getting the netflix app to work on Android devices; it works for some things – but we’l see what netflix does in the future.
netflixdns
January 15, 2016 at 10:49
Do you perhaps know if there is a downside doing this? I.e. Slower…certain things not working, etc
Geoffrey Tim
January 15, 2016 at 11:48
Nah, it just stops Googles own DNS servers from functioning, so they get pushed through to the Uno ones.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
January 15, 2016 at 11:22
🙁 But the Canadian version of Netflix has awesome documentaries. Damnit Netflix, don’t be a dick!
Norman
January 19, 2016 at 07:07
They would never be able to stop the use of DNS or VPN’s ,if you set a static DNS in your router or have a private VPN as i do they will have the ability to track you but it is as simple as just rebooting to get a new dynamic Public IP. They would have to block both which means they would then have to block every IP range per geolocation, if they block my VPN they would block a Service provider in that country. In my opinion they are not going to win unless they target another aspect not related to the interwebs.