Home Gaming Your Netflix is safe…for now

Your Netflix is safe…for now

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In netflix

As much as we laugh at Xbox for their TV-centric launch and continuing recognition in the field, the reality is that many of us use our consoles for more than gaming. Over the holidays, I often giggled at my feed of what friends were up to – plenty of people were watching Netflix and Hulu. And that activity is safe to continue.

There was quite a brouhaha about Netflix at the beginning of the year. CNET published an article saying that VPN access to Netflix was going down and a sign of the streaming apocalypse for countries like China and South Africa. Netflix completely denied any change of policy. The latest news out of CES from Netflix’s chief product officer Neil Hunt is that the status quo has been maintained but there are some changes to time out times for Google’s DNS that might be causing some issues. Of course, Netflix can’t openly court international viewers, but they have strong reasons not to curtail viewership. According to GlobalWebIndex research, Netflix is getting a lot of viewers outside of designated areas.

More than 30 million Netflix users live in countries where the service is unavailable without the use of location-masking software, giving the company a hefty financial incentive not to crack down on members who use the technological loophole to watch content not authorised for their country.

Thanks to the Sony email hack, we also know that the company isn’t too pleased with Netflix’s policy towards those who access the service international. He specifically cited Australia and South Africa as countries with high penetration without legal Netflix services. According to the research, 5% of internet users in SA and Oz used Netflix in the last month.

The reality is that people want access to better entertainment content. Many gamers are already used to working around local restrictions; I know plenty of you have US Xbox or PlayStation accounts, as well as iTunes accounts. Most of us have Netflix installed on our consoles – I still believe the PS3 is the best media center that you can get. As Gavin often says, even though it’s not a service that’s offered locally, at least he’s paying for the entertainment he consumes instead of just being a pirate; legally unsound as that sentiment may be.

Considering these stats, our console TV viewing should be safe for a long while. As long as you’re not using Netflix on Android devices, that is. The financial reason for Netflix to turn a blind eye to our access is just too high for local and foreign distributors to counteract. Of course, I do have to wonder if games have become that boring that we’re using our consoles for TV rather than for games as intended.

Last Updated: January 13, 2015

58 Comments

  1. Mandom (Umar)

    January 13, 2015 at 13:35

    Anita is coming for your Netflix…HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

    Reply

  2. Brady miaau

    January 13, 2015 at 13:42

    “Of course, I do have to wonder if games have become that boring that we’re using our consoles for TV rather than for games as intended.”

    I bought my Xbox One for BOTH reasons. I think we are using the console as MS intended. If our TV is on, the Xbox One is on. It feels so natural to use. Pity we cannot buy a media remote, as out Xbox and DSTV is locked in a cupboard under the TV, because of little one. But the controller works well enough.

    Reply

  3. Hammersteyn

    January 13, 2015 at 13:44

    If only everyone paid their TV license we would have better local entertainment.

    Reply

    • ToshZA

      January 13, 2015 at 13:48

      One just has to read what our government is up to for their local entertainment. TV licenses don’t stand a chance.

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        January 13, 2015 at 13:48

        I saw a rerun of Shaka Zulu the other day.

        Reply

        • Blood Emperor Trevor

          January 13, 2015 at 13:49

          *hum theme tune*

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            January 13, 2015 at 13:53

            Yeah they hum something about bombs! America should investigate. We maybe harboring terrorists.

          • Blood Emperor Trevor

            January 13, 2015 at 13:54

            lol. I actually wouldn’t mind watching that series again. Henry Cele was the bomb.

        • ToshZA

          January 13, 2015 at 13:49

          I saw Dumb & Dumber for the umpteenth time…

          Reply

    • Blood Emperor Trevor

      January 13, 2015 at 13:48

      No we wouldn’t. The SABC execs would have more board meetings and fact finding missions.

      Reply

    • Rock789

      January 13, 2015 at 13:58

      Me thinks all we’d get is boggerall… The SABC execs would just get fatter paychecks…

      I pay my TV license because I have a tv and I am legally forced to pay it… Not because I, in any way shape or form, watch local broadcasters… Can’t tell you the last time I watched SABC 1, 2 or 3 or even e-anaconda-tv (it must literally be years!). If I didn’t have to pay the license fee because I don’t watch their channels, I would gladly keep my money – Dstv has everything I wanna watch locally. But, sadly, now that I’m in SABCs ‘system’, they know they can get the money from me…

      Reply

      • Lord Chaos

        January 13, 2015 at 14:00

        The only inputs into my TV are from the Media server and consoles.

        Reply

        • ToshZA

          January 13, 2015 at 14:06

          Same here. My place came with a DSTV dish, and the antennae cable remains coiled up against the wall, unused.

          Reply

        • Rock789

          January 13, 2015 at 14:42

          I love my sport (particularly motorsport), so Dstv is the best local supplier of that. 🙂

          Reply

      • DrKiller

        January 13, 2015 at 14:34

        I think you lie…. Every evening at 18:30 you go on “do not disturb”.. Not sure if it is a coincidence, but when 7de Laan is not showing, that status doesn’t get set 😛

        Reply

        • Rock789

          January 13, 2015 at 14:43

          What can I say – I gotta know what happens next in die boutique. 😉 😛 🙂

          Reply

          • DrKiller

            January 13, 2015 at 14:45

            Is daar ‘n toppie wat jy graag op special soek? 😛

      • Draco Lusus

        January 13, 2015 at 14:54

        Thus the last time I bought a TV, I used my father’s TV licence. The time before that, I went to a place that specifically have TVs without the TV tuner, so no licence required…unfortunately that TV was shit and I took it back (no just scan mode for PC to screen resolution etc). If you could by all the awesome new TV’s with the option of no TV tuner, sure a lot of people would do it. Cause like my sister who has lived in Thailand knows, selling your TV and then sending notification to SABC means nothing to them…they have been billing her, with 100% interest for the last for 4 years…lol.

        Reply

    • Quo Vadis?

      January 13, 2015 at 14:00

      More isi-dung-o and 7de traan? I weep LOL

      Reply

      • ToshZA

        January 13, 2015 at 14:08

        It’s a Dingo. Get it right!!!

        Reply

        • Quo Vadis?

          January 13, 2015 at 14:09

          Freedom of speech, don’t go all isis on me!!!! ;P

          Reply

    • Charl van der Merwe

      January 14, 2015 at 11:39

      hahaha, you having a laugh right?

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        January 14, 2015 at 12:22

        hehe yeah

        Reply

  4. Hammersteyn

    January 13, 2015 at 13:48

    Well what else are they gonna do besides watch Netflix? Play Titanfall?

    Reply

    • CAE9872

      January 13, 2015 at 14:07

      troll

      Reply

  5. Gavin Mannion

    January 13, 2015 at 13:50

    “legally unsound as that sentiment may be.”

    Don’t be a hater… at least I’m paying for my entertainment

    Reply

    • Blood Emperor Trevor

      January 13, 2015 at 13:53

      But you’re bypassing the regional price gouging the corporations prefer! Shame on you!

      Reply

      • ToshZA

        January 13, 2015 at 13:55

        Yeah, how are our officials going to fund their birthday parties this year with you bypassing their regional price gouging?

        “You” being Gavin.

        Reply

      • Gavin Mannion

        January 13, 2015 at 14:01

        My feelilngs on this are quite simple… I am happy to pay the money to watch the show. If someone wants to treat me like a 3rd class citizen and not even offer it to me then I’ll make another plan.

        If a local streaming service offered me the ability to pay them the same amount for the same content I would.. but you’re smoking some awesome giggly twig if you think I’m going to be taken for a ride by a local greedy corporation.

        Reply

        • Brady miaau

          January 13, 2015 at 14:03

          They are greedy and the content does not match the price tag. if you are referring to the company I am thinking of

          Reply

        • CAE9872

          January 13, 2015 at 14:07

          100% agree on the aspect of some 3rd party deciding what is fine for me. If I can get it elsewhere and not available here then I will. And I will happily pay for it as well.

          Saying that I don’t use Netflix or any streaming service for movies…yet! That and I can’t be arsed to google how to do it.

          But the principle is there – I certainly do for my music and gaming needs.

          Reply

        • Blood Emperor Trevor

          January 13, 2015 at 14:12

          GOG has just started a little movie section. Granted it’s nothing special content wise – just indie stuff and documentaries. But the cool thing about it is once you’ve bought something you can either stream from their site or download DRM free. If someone like Sony did something like that they’d get a lot of money from me.

          Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      January 13, 2015 at 13:54

      And Zoe isn’t? 0_o

      Reply

    • Lord Chaos

      January 13, 2015 at 13:55

      Still technically illegal. Pirates might counter with: “I pay for my bandwidth”

      Reply

      • ToshZA

        January 13, 2015 at 13:56

        To be fair, it’s the lesser of 2 evils. At least in Gavin’s case the content creators are receiving payment for their content.

        Reply

        • Lord Chaos

          January 13, 2015 at 13:57

          Not arguing with that, just playing Devil’s Advocate.

          Reply

      • Gavin Mannion

        January 13, 2015 at 14:00

        unfortunately I still have to pay for my bandwidth… and that excuse is pitiful to say the least.

        I stole a car but hey at least I paid for my petrol?

        Reply

        • Lord Chaos

          January 13, 2015 at 14:02

          And yet certain people in society will still use it.

          “I didn’t ask for the upgrades to my home”

          Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          January 13, 2015 at 14:02

          This made me laugh

          Reply

        • Blood Emperor Trevor

          January 13, 2015 at 14:03

          That reminds me of this…

          Reply

          • Quo Vadis?

            January 13, 2015 at 14:08

            At the rate 3D printers are going and technical specs leaked on the internet…. I might be driving a brand spanking new “Minolta” Mercedes Benz one of these days! Soooooo TECHNICALLY you might be able to download a car sooner than you think LOL

          • ToshZA

            January 13, 2015 at 14:10

          • Blood Emperor Trevor

            January 13, 2015 at 14:13

            And who wants to drive an Uno.

          • ToshZA

            January 13, 2015 at 14:15

            The French, of course. 🙂

          • Lord Chaos

            January 13, 2015 at 14:16

            A suicidal emo?

          • Admiral Chief

            January 13, 2015 at 14:17

            Hahahaha

    • Quo Vadis?

      January 13, 2015 at 13:58

      In law, it is known as the “victimless crime”. If no one suffers from it, and no loss can be proven, is it really a criminal offence? That is a subject that has been debated a lot recently in jurisprudence.

      Reply

  6. DrKiller

    January 13, 2015 at 14:32

    Samsung Smart TV, the way Netflix is meant to be watched!

    Reply

  7. Lardus-Resident Perve

    January 13, 2015 at 14:36

    What is gaming coming to when people use consoles to stream porn and series rather than playing games! Note here and now that not even the Resident Pervert streams porn on console!

    Reply

    • Lord Chaos

      January 13, 2015 at 14:38

      They’re console peasants, do we care? 😛

      Reply

      • Blood Emperor Trevor

        January 13, 2015 at 14:39

        Does explain why they go so worked up about the whole 30 v 60 faps per second thing though.

        Reply

        • Lardus-Resident Perve

          January 13, 2015 at 14:41

          Must be the comment of the week thus far! Or at least the best I have seen 🙂

          Reply

      • Lardus-Resident Perve

        January 13, 2015 at 14:42

        Haha, I do sort of because I play quite a few games on console. I jump between my PC and console for different games…and because my PC is outdated (waiting for THE game to make me upgrade)

        Reply

  8. Ali

    January 13, 2015 at 23:36

    You can always get more Netflix content by changing the Netflix region, see https://thevpn.guru/netflix-proxy-region-how-to-change-dns-vpn ….

    Reply

  9. Devon Stanton

    January 14, 2015 at 14:31

    WE’RE GETTING RECOGNITION! FINALLY THEY SEE US!!

    Reply

  10. Ian riley

    January 14, 2015 at 15:44

    Netflix is like a life saver, won’t believe it, but its true. Consider you are living in sort of exile and have nothing to do, Netflix is what can make the most of your time. I suggest Best 15 Movies to watch on netflix. http://www.purevpn.com/blog/best-movies-to-watch-on-netflix/

    Reply

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