Netflix, a company that restricted its content to limited countries has gone global. The tech world is up in arms with its expansion of up to 130 countries.
The video streaming service is now available to a total of 190 countries, except if you're currently residing in China, Syria, North Korea and Krimea.
But don't get too excited yet. The list of streaming services are limited to users based on their country. Why won't Netflix open all of its content to everybody online? Mainly because the contracted licensing deals varies for each market. That and plus the company caters to what they think the country-based users will like.
For example, Netflix does not include blockbuster content from the United States. Users have already started tracking online content which will ultimately become a master list of what is available in a certain area. Whats On Netflix is the largest Netflix fan-site dedicated to creating a library in the United States and UK. The site and many others display what's new on Netflix.
This can be a negative edge for the expansion since millions of users wants to view popular programs and television series.
There is a way for this limitation to be removed. Jon Russell says, all you need is a VPN (virtual private network). The VPN is a software that allows people to access the internet while "appearing" to be located in another country. If you get a VPN, this enables you to access Netflix's global catalog - all of it.
But this may just be a temporary solution. VPNs are technically a breach in licensing agreements but don't tell Netflix that. Netflix has always turned a blind eye to VPN users. There are numerous VPNs available in the market such as TunnelBear, ExpressVPN, Astrill, Vypr and Private Internet Access.
Here's to hoping that Netflix will soon revise its licensing deals for restricted countries.
