Recently, Netflix-like video streaming service Hooq launched operations in India. And while it starts to settle itself, the original Netflix is coming in the country soon, to bring in some serious compeition to India’s nascent Internet TV space. According to a report from TOI, world’s biggest video on demand service provider Netflix is going to enter Indian market in 2016.
With over 62 million subscribers globally, Netflix is the world’s leading on-demand video streaming service provider. Out of its 62 million users, more than 40 million of them are from US, thus highlighting its US-centric approach.
It seems that the entry of Netflix will boost the Internet TV adaptation in India which is in very early stage. The company has not made any official announcement of the India launch but has said that it is looking for global expansion in 2016.
There are several online steaming service providers in India including Hotstar, Big Flix, Ogle, etc. Hooq, a singapore based on-demand video streaming provider recently launched in India. It is priced at Rs. 199 per month.
The news about Netflix’s launch in India has got many DTH companies worried. They are now looking to expand their portfolio and focus on the web and app space. In fact, Tata Sky has already started looking for content providers for the Internet audience.
In a statement to TOI, a Tata Sky spokesperson said,
It’s similar to Starbucks entering India. Everybody knew about it but cafe brands were late to react and Starbucks came and stole the show. We don’t want to be caught on the wrong foot.
According to a recent report by Kleiner Perkins, India is the leading country in the the world for internet user growth across all platforms. With the availability of 4G in India with cheaper data costs, it seems that the Internet TV has a huge potential in the country.
Reliance Jio is also gearing up to launch its on-demand video streaming, music streaming, news and high definition television services for consumers on the go at affordable prices to differentiate itself and attract subscribers. It already has a live TV and video on demand service ready for the launch of its 4G services later this year.
We have mailed Netflix for a statement, and will update this story as soon as we receive a response.
UPDATE :
We have received a response from Netflix for our query, wherein Netflix doesn’t specifically mention India. However, it does say that it intends to ‘complete its global expansion’ by 2016, as mentioned by the company earlier this year. Here’s Netflix’s statement we received,
We said early this year that we aim to complete our global expansion by the end of 2016. We have nothing specific to say on India at this time.
