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Old 19-01-2016, 07:25
ds_reader
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Interesting report this morning on BBC News this morning that the EU are looking at challenging geo blocking because they consider it to be anti competitive. May not be much help for those that want to access US or Canada Netflix but could be helpful for some of the regions within the EU.
Better news for NOW TV who hold more exclusive rights leaving Netflix with not much?
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Old 19-01-2016, 09:48
Philip Wales
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Better news for NOW TV who hold more exclusive rights leaving Netflix with not much?
WOW You seem in love with NOW TV. Now TV is crap, it's a crappy stream and only offers about 4 Channels and some very weird box sets (season 1 of NCIS) the other 8 channels are pure filler. Would be happier if they just offered the 4 main channels + box sets for a slightly less monthly cost, or include those 4 channels in the movie package for a slightly higher price.

As with everything else from SKY they like to pad out their packages, so they can claim 30 channels etc, while ring fencing other channels behind other packages.
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Old 19-01-2016, 10:24
BKM
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Interesting report this morning on BBC News this morning that the EU are looking at challenging geo blocking because they consider it to be anti competitive. May not be much help for those that want to access US or Canada Netflix but could be helpful for some of the regions within the EU.
Fully 10+ years ago lots of people expected the EU to outlaw the restricted sales of satellite TV - so you could legally subscribe to Sky from France or Germany (or Canal+ from the UK) for example.

So don't expect too much anytime soon!
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Old 19-01-2016, 10:33
ovbg
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So don't expect too much anytime soon!
On the contrary. This is not something new, but has been in the planning stages since last year and is expected to come into force in 2017. It is not an if, but how that is the question.

However, don't expect a complete opening of EU television to everyone. That simply can't happen for licensing and payment reasons.

For instance, we can't expect everyone in Europe to have access to the BBC iPlayer, because only UK residents pay the license fee. However, this new regulation will ensure that licence fee payers will be able to still access the iPlayer when they travel around Europe. (And for this reason, as long as there is a license fee, expect from 2017 a requirement to log in and associate an iPlayer account with the license, as the new 2016 charter change will almost certainly make the license a requirement to access the iPlayer)

Same with Netflix. Don't expect all of Netflix's 27 EU libraries to be merged, as licensing deals have already been made. But it will mean that when someone from the EU travels say to Spain on holiday, they will still have access to their UK library (and possibly also Spain's library) when they travel.

This is something by the way that Netflix will have to take into account as they implement their new geoblocking algorithms. They won't want to invest time and money in a locked down system that won't take the new EU directives into account.
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Old 19-01-2016, 10:36
BKM
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On the contrary. This is not something new, but has been in the planning stages since last year and is expected to come into force in 2017. It is not an if, but how that is the question.
It's good that it is now finally coming - but, as I said, the EU seriously considered something VERY similar over 10 years ago - and decided it was then too difficult!
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Old 19-01-2016, 10:38
MTUK1
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On the contrary. This is not something new, but has been in the planning stages since last year and is expected to come into force in 2017. It is not an if, but how that is the question.

However, don't expect a complete opening of EU television to everyone. That simply can't happen for licensing and payment reasons.

For instance, we can't expect everyone in Europe to have access to the BBC iPlayer, because only UK residents pay the license fee. However, this new regulation will ensure that licence fee payers will be able to still access the iPlayer when they travel around Europe. (And for this reason, as long as there is a license fee, expect from 2017 a requirement to log in and associate an iPlayer account with the license, as the new 2016 charter change will almost certainly make the license a requirement to access the iPlayer)

Same with Netflix. Don't expect all of Netflix's 27 EU libraries to be merged, as licensing deals have already been made. But it will mean that when someone from the EU travels say to Spain on holiday, they will still have access to their UK library (and possibly also Spain's library) when they travel.

This is something by the way that Netflix will have to take into account as they implement their new geoblocking algorithms. They won't want to invest time and money in a locked down system that won't take the new EU directives into account.
It's highly likely there either won't be an EU or we'll leave it within the next year or so.
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Old 19-01-2016, 10:43
moox
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WOW You seem in love with NOW TV. Now TV is crap, it's a crappy stream and only offers about 4 Channels and some very weird box sets (season 1 of NCIS) the other 8 channels are pure filler. Would be happier if they just offered the 4 main channels + box sets for a slightly less monthly cost, or include those 4 channels in the movie package for a slightly higher price.

As with everything else from SKY they like to pad out their packages, so they can claim 30 channels etc, while ring fencing other channels behind other packages.
Even full-fat Sky has some interesting on demand choices - I've seen shows that only appear to have a couple of series, and not even all of the episodes in those series.

Plus the navigation system is a joke.
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Old 19-01-2016, 10:44
ovbg
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It's highly likely there either won't be an EU or we'll leave it within the next year or so.
If you believe there won't be an EU next year, then our discussions may as well end here and now. Let's remain within the realms of reality.

On the other hand, it is possible the UK may leave the EU next year, and if that happens then whatever on TV will be the last thing on anyone's mind. The shit storm that would follow will take care of that.

Even if the UK left, the EU's Digital Single Market Strategy would continue anyway, just without the UK, which will basically mean everyone there benefits, but people in the UK don't.

Unless of course the UK remains inside the single market which it can do outside the of the EU (just as a huge cost), in this case the UK would benefit.

But of course, we will have to wait and see on that.
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Old 19-01-2016, 11:56
MTUK1
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If you believe there won't be an EU next year, then our discussions may as well end here and now. Let's remain within the realms of reality.

On the other hand, it is possible the UK may leave the EU next year, and if that happens then whatever on TV will be the last thing on anyone's mind. The shit storm that would follow will take care of that.

Even if the UK left, the EU's Digital Single Market Strategy would continue anyway, just without the UK, which will basically mean everyone there benefits, but people in the UK don't.

Unless of course the UK remains inside the single market which it can do outside the of the EU (just as a huge cost), in this case the UK would benefit.

But of course, we will have to wait and see on that.
Have you seen the news recently? Schengen is collapsing, the Euro is a disaster for the countries trapped in an economic prison. And mad Angela's let as many so called refugees in has spectacularly backfired. We won't need a referendum at this rate. And as for saying they'll be a sugar storm for us if we left. On the contrary. We'd be setting a fine example in bringing democracy back to Europe and no doubt other countries will follow us.

Anyway, back to the topic. As I said, we should wait and see what happens but we may not be subject to this legislation. And unblockus hopefully will find a solution to let us carry on watching Netflix should it be blocked.
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Old 19-01-2016, 17:28
FunboyFandango
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Netflix still working fine for me on US/Canada and other regions.

I won't cancel my NF sub if the block thats been talked about works by blocking all SmartDNS and VPN access to multi regional content, as there's still plenty to watch on UK NF.
Plus if you have an active sub you can still access local content while travelling in any of the regions that NF is currently available.

All I can say is that I'm glad I'm not working in support for the many different DNS and VPN providers with all the customers panicking about not being able to watch US NF anymore. The way some folk complain its like they've lost their right arm.
"Oh my God I cannot live without my US Netflix"

If NF do succeed in finding a way to completely block access to users bypassing geo restrictions whether by use of DNS or VPN, good for them.
We've had it good for a few years now and this was always a 'cat n mouse' game with the service providers. Nothing lasts forever.
Expect to see all the other providers following NF's direction if NF are successful with this.
Good for them? How is paying for a service and not receiving full value of what you are paying for good for anyone? People shouldn't be penalised simply because of where they live, it's absurd. Geo blocking of content is archaic and needs to end.

I assume you enjoy getting ripped off.
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Old 19-01-2016, 17:57
ds_reader
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WOW You seem in love with NOW TV. Now TV is crap, it's a crappy stream and only offers about 4 Channels and some very weird box sets (season 1 of NCIS) the other 8 channels are pure filler. Would be happier if they just offered the 4 main channels + box sets for a slightly less monthly cost, or include those 4 channels in the movie package for a slightly higher price.
What a hilarious post .... Have a nice day!

Great to hear with a slight change to the channel line up you would be happy to pay for what you think are crappy streams .... LOLOL!!!!!!
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Old 19-01-2016, 18:04
ds_reader
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Good for them? How is paying for a service and not receiving full value of what you are paying for good for anyone? People shouldn't be penalised simply because of where they live, it's absurd. Geo blocking of content is archaic and needs to end.

I assume you enjoy getting ripped off.
... and Neflix should pay global rights costs for their content and not play at pretending to respect content creators IP.
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Old 19-01-2016, 18:12
MTUK1
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... and Neflix should pay global rights costs for their content and not play at pretending to respect content creators IP.
What a strange comment. How can Netflix suddenly get worldwide content straight away with the numerous agreements rights holders have in place?
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Old 19-01-2016, 18:15
Clusterbombed
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The Guardian don't explicitly say it in this article today, but the implication is that Netflix is just paying lip service to VPN blocking to appease it's content partners, while knowing that it can do sod-all about it.

Doubts Cast On Netflix Plan To Stop Use Of VPNs To Get Around Region Blocking
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Old 19-01-2016, 18:54
muppetman11
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Good for them? How is paying for a service and not receiving full value of what you are paying for good for anyone? People shouldn't be penalised simply because of where they live, it's absurd. Geo blocking of content is archaic and needs to end.

I assume you enjoy getting ripped off.
The point being it hasn't ended though and as such broadcasters paying a premium for UK exclusives something offered to them by the studios have every right to complain and defend their investments.

I'm not in favour of geo restrictions myself but until this is changed I can see why Netflix is obviously being put under pressure to close this.
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Old 19-01-2016, 21:53
dave2702
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What a strange comment. How can Netflix suddenly get worldwide content straight away with the numerous agreements rights holders have in place?
I work for a Content Producer and went to see Netflix with regard to licencing some of our TV shows. Some of our shows we couldn't offer Worldwide deals because some companies in places like the UK had exclusive rights so we were only able to offer a Territory by Territory basis

But some of the older shows we offered them a Worldwide Deal or a Territory by Territory offer, and the amount they were prepared to pay for Worldwide rights was tiny compared to the amount we could get in even a few of the main markets

So in the end they just bought the US rights and someone there basically told us that everyone across the world would just login and watch anyway.

So if Netflix are being forced to stop offering Woldwide rights on the sly I'm quite happy that the media companies are stopping them
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Old 20-01-2016, 16:32
The_don1
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Good for them? How is paying for a service and not receiving full value of what you are paying for good for anyone? People shouldn't be penalised simply because of where they live, it's absurd. Geo blocking of content is archaic and needs to end.

I assume you enjoy getting ripped off.
You can only be "ripped off" if you are paying more then you think something is worth and if that is the case then surely you would not be paying for the service?

Could it be "more value" for money? Of course just like most products but as long as the person paying for the service is happy with what they are getting then they wont be getting ripped off.

Just more of today's I going to sulk because someone has what I don't have culture
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Old 21-01-2016, 06:25
Tony_Daniels
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For people who have the 'know how' to circumnavigate geo-blocking to access the full Netflix library, the alternative for them if they're prevented from doing so isn't "Oh Gosh, best phone up Sky and take out a subscription". The alternative are things such as Kodi. That's why it's completely counter productive for all concerned. Once you've cracked the egg it's impossible to reseal it back inside the shell again.

The move will push more and more people to stream online for free from pirated sources. This will harm Netflix as their subscriber numbers will drop and it'll harm the studios that produce the content because the amount they can demand for what they make will fall. It's an incredibly short-sighted move and will only work if one of the two following things happen:

1) Technology unexpectedly regresses 20 years and we wake up tomorrow and find we're back in 1996 again

2) People who currently can navigate around the blocks to pay for content suddenly forget how to use the internet

Neither of which seem terribly likely.
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Old 21-01-2016, 08:49
aurichie
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The Guardian don't explicitly say it in this article today, but the implication is that Netflix is just paying lip service to VPN blocking to appease it's content partners, while knowing that it can do sod-all about it.

Doubts Cast On Netflix Plan To Stop Use Of VPNs To Get Around Region Blocking
Its only when Netflix limit viewing to the country of your billing address the problem will be largely solved. That's what they should be doing now today, and rights holders will force them to do it to protect their bigger revenue streams. If you think Netflix will be able to get away with pretending to be doing something about a big problem then you're very wrong. There will only be one winner in this battle and it won't be Netflix or net pirates.
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Old 21-01-2016, 09:16
ovbg
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Its only when Netflix limit viewing to the country of your billing address the problem will be largely solved. That's what they should be doing now today, and rights holders will force them to do it to protect their bigger revenue streams. If you think Netflix will be able to get away with pretending to be doing something about a big problem then you're very wrong. There will only be one winner in this battle and it won't be Netflix or net pirates.
Actually, Netflix specifically avoid this for various reasons. They used to restrict access to US credit cards, but then they decided it cost them to much business, as many of their legitimate customers had credit cards from other countries, especially neighbouring countries.

Unlike the UK, the US is not an island. Canada lies just to the north, and many cities are close or directly on the border. Detroit for instance has Windsor in Canada just on the other side of the river. Seattle is so close to Vancouver, they operate as a single metropolitan area as far as commuting goes, and there are plenty more.

Mexico is on the other side, and millions of Mexicans living in the US may find it easier to get a Mexican credit card rather than one from a US bank (I think you may be able to guess the reasons, sad as they are).

This is not including the huge population of residents who only recently arrived in the US, or are there on a short term basis.

Then there are other factors like the EU. From 2017, the EU will likely ban restrictions of access in the single market based on credit cards. This is a specific ban they have just signed this week to put into place. Netflix (and all the other streamers) will have to abide by this by law.

Finally, there are always easy ways around it. I watch Hulu which forces US credit cards. But I can easily still subscribe. Either I buy Hulu gift cards online, or just sign up via iTunes US (and the shops selling the cards simply email me the codes).
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Old 21-01-2016, 16:38
-GONZO-
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Courtesy of DS
Some users of unblocking app uFlix are being served with the following message when they attempt to log onto Netflix US: "You seem to be using an unblocker or proxy. Please turn off any of these services and try again."
Guess we will just have to wait and see over the coming weeks.
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Old 22-01-2016, 19:55
Taintedmeat
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I have Canada on unblock us but my Netflix is infected with the crappy uk one it's happened nooooo!! Anyway to fix it ?
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Old 22-01-2016, 20:21
-GONZO-
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I have Canada on unblock us but my Netflix is infected with the crappy uk one it's happened nooooo!! Anyway to fix it ?
How about contact unblock-us.
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Old 22-01-2016, 23:15
Jay-Cee
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I have Canada on unblock us but my Netflix is infected with the crappy uk one it's happened nooooo!! Anyway to fix it ?
keep refreshing it. or close your browser and open it and netflix. Happened to me a couple of times.
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Old 23-01-2016, 01:02
darkjedimaster
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Couldn't get access to other countries content on Netflix, gave Unblock-Us a brief email & within a couple of hours they emailed me back with a possible solution to try. Just powered up the PS4 and put in the new settings & boom have got access to all countries Netflix once again. While I appreciate that this could be a game of whack a mole with having to put in new settings every so often, but that isn't a problem.
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