Netflix, Inc. is the streaming service giant. No other platform has yet been a tough competitor to the service for years now. It has planned to enter every corner of the world posing imminent threat to the local TV providers along with other satellite services etc. Currently, the company is focused on its massive launch in Australia and New Zealand. Prior to its launch, the company has made enemies and local companies are already launching new services and plans to compete with the streaming giant once it enters the region.
Netflix (NFLX) big launch in Australia is scheduled on March 24. Prior to its launch in the region, local companies like Foxtel and Stan are finding ways to strengthen their position despite of the streaming services giant arriving in the country. According to sources, it is believed that Foxtel is all set to launch its iQ3 on Monday, a hotly anticipated set top box.
Foxtel has scheduled the launch of its streaming video recorder service just a few hours before Netflix enters the Australian region. According to The Australian, “The new iQ3 set-top-box has been under development for some years and combines broadcast derived programs and media streamed from the internet into one seamless experience. The iQ3 extends the current ‘start over’ capability, where a viewer can go back to the beginning of a TV show that’s already started and watch it from scratch.”
It is believed that the iQ3 has a new and unique “look back” feature which will allow viewers to rewind or scroll backwards up to 24 hours in the past in order to watch any shows or programs that they have missed previously.
Sydney Morning Herald reported, “These new features turn a Foxtel subscription into more of a Netflix-style on-demand service rather than the traditional linear viewing experience. It's not the iQ3's only nod to its new-world competitors, Foxtel is also adding "intelligent discovery" features which show you what's trending and even make suggestions based on your viewing habits.”
Moreover, Foxtel iQ3 has Ethernet as well as WiFi connectivity. The device can allow users to store and save more than 345 hours of standard definition recordings.
It will be not wrong to say that Netflix Streaming has made more enemies than friends in the region. Posing imminent threat to all the established businesses in Australia, the local companies along with pay TV cable operators will have to take a bold step forward and bring their A game. Foxtel played a smart strategy by launching its service right before Netflix’s launch in order to turn consumers’ attention towards itself.
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