Liberty Global customers in over 30 countries will get access to Netflix content after the two companies signed a multi-year deal.
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The deal follows the launch of Netflix NFLX, +1.31% on Liberty Global’s LBTYA, +0.68% Virgin Media in the United Kingdom, a deal reached before Liberty’s takeover of Virgin. The rollout will continue in other countries as technological upgrades across all of Liberty Global’s operations continue through 2017.
The partnership follows the successful launch of Netflix on Liberty-owned Virgin Media in the United Kingdom in 2013 and is part of Liberty’s strategy to provide content for its customers in one place on their TV, tablet and phone.
Existing subscribers will be able to log in via the app, negating the need to use separate devices and switch between TV inputs and remote controls.
Netflix and Liberty Global’s collaboration is matched with the British telecom’s investment in programming via acquisition, original commissions, and partnerships, apart from annual spending of $2.5 billion on licensed programming.
“This deal will provide even more freedom to our subscribers – allowing them to access a goldmine of fantastic TV and films at the click of a button, fully integrated into their usual TV viewing set-up”, said Liberty Global CEO Mike Fries in a statement.
For Netflix, the Liberty Global deal should broaden its exposure to consumers because its service will be tightly integrated with their primary set-top box. “This deal will provide even more freedom to our subscribers – allowing them to access a goldmine of fantastic TV and films at the click of a button, fully integrated into their usual TV viewing set-up”, said Liberty Global CEO Mike Fries, in a statement.
Liberty Global is the largest cable-TV company outside the United States, and relocated its headquarters to Denver, Colorado, in February.
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said in a press release, “Combining the Netflix app – and all the great content it provides – into the familiar, easy-to-use cable box makes both more appealing”.
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Liberty Global has 29 million cable subscribers and 11 million mobile subs. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on almost any Internet-connected screen.
