US giant to launch internet TV
Viewers will soon have access to one of the world's biggest internet streaming services.
Online TV giant Netflix announced today that it will launch in the UK early next year with subscribers able to watch millions of shows and movies.
No price has been disclosed for the service which will be available on laptops, tablets, TV sets and games consoles.
The US firm, which boasts 25 million users worldwide, is aiming to grab market share from LoveFilm, Blinkbox and on-demand TV services such as Virgin Media and Sky.
Ian Maude, internet analyst at Enders Analysis, said: "The UK is the biggest market in terms of both scale and per capita spending on home video. Netflix has got a great brand and a great business. It's potentially a really serious threat to companies like LoveFilm."
But he warned: "It's going to be very challenging for Netflix in the UK - it's a very competitive market." Unlike the US, it is expected that Netflix will not offer DVD rentals in the post. This year, Amazon bought LoveFilm and Tesco bought Blinkbox as they see digital growing at the expense of falling DVD sales and rentals.
Google recently launched a UK streaming service, YouTube Movies, and Apple is also expanding in this area. Netflix, which was founded in 1997, employs 900 staff at its head office near San Francisco.
