Netflix: Streamer's Avenue
Outlook|January 25, 2016

Netflix, with its coveted hoard, is here. But censorship and cost can curb its appeal.

Arushi Bedi
Netflix: Streamer's Avenue

Do you come bleary-eyed to work because you’ve been trying to download the latest episode of Narcos till 3 am? Does your net connection always snap at 86 per cent, as The Wolf of Wall Street is reaching its climax? Say good bye to all that, for the superstar of films and TV shows on the internet, the US giant Netflix, is here in India. One can now binge-watch seasons of Game of Thrones or Golden Globe winner The Revenant anywhere, anytime—standing in a queue on one’s mobile, between meetings on one’s laptop, or at home. With internet services improving, Netflix’s entry was inevitable. But can Indians easily accept the idea of paying for downloading?

“The ease of access is unmatched by any other service available in the country. One  can find most TV shows in one place and the quality of the product is very good,” says Neha Agarwal, a business executive from Gurgaon, who has subscribed to the service, which is available free in its trial period of a month. The portal provides three options for subscription, with the cheapest pack starting at Rs 500 a month, and the advanced pack setting you back by Rs 850 a mo­ nth, with access to HD content. It seems quite reasonable. Or is it? However ‘light’ the website might be, streaming video content is hard and, crucially, costly. Internet service providers charge a steep fee and even the ones that provide faster speeds either have a data cap, after which the speed becomes painfully slow, or have pricey top­ ups. Streaming a 42­minute episode in HD on Netflix can be from 1 to 3 GB—often provider’s upper limit to internet packs.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM OUTLOOKView all
Layers Of Lear
Outlook

Layers Of Lear

Director Rajat Kapoor and actor Vinay Pathak's ode to Shakespeare is an experience to behold

time-read
4 mins  |
December 21, 2024
Loss and Longing
Outlook

Loss and Longing

Memories can be painful, but they also make life more meaningful

time-read
6 mins  |
December 21, 2024
Suprabhatham Sub Judice
Outlook

Suprabhatham Sub Judice

M.S. Subbulakshmi decided the fate of her memorials a long time ago

time-read
8 mins  |
December 21, 2024
Fortress of Desire
Outlook

Fortress of Desire

A performance titled 'A Streetcart Named Desire', featuring Indian and international artists and performers, explored different desires through an unusual act on a full moon night at the Gwalior Fort

time-read
7 mins  |
December 21, 2024
Of Hope and Hopelessness
Outlook

Of Hope and Hopelessness

The body appears as light in Payal Kapadia's film

time-read
3 mins  |
December 21, 2024
Ruptured Lives
Outlook

Ruptured Lives

A visit to Bangladesh in 2010 shaped the author's novel, a sensitively sketched tale of migrants' struggles

time-read
5 mins  |
December 21, 2024
The Big Book
Outlook

The Big Book

The Big Book of Odia Literature is a groundbreaking work that provides readers with a comprehensive introduction to the rich and varied literary traditions of Odisha

time-read
4 mins  |
December 21, 2024
How to Refuse the Generous Thief
Outlook

How to Refuse the Generous Thief

The poet uses all the available arsenal in English to write the most anti-colonial poetry

time-read
4 mins  |
December 21, 2024
The Freedom Compartment
Outlook

The Freedom Compartment

#traindiaries is a photo journal shot in the ladies coaches of Mumbai locals. It explores how women engage and familiarise themselves with spaces by building relationships with complete strangers

time-read
1 min  |
December 21, 2024
Love, Up in the Clouds
Outlook

Love, Up in the Clouds

Manikbabur Megh is an unusual love story about a man falling for a cloud. Amborish Roychoudhury discusses the process of Manikbabu's creation with actor Chandan Sen and director Abhinandan Banerjee

time-read
5 mins  |
December 21, 2024