Netflix to block VPNs [** Please Read OP for Warning **]

jack presley

They'll probably lose subscribers because of it, especially here.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0114/760274-netflix-proxy-clamp/

How is it done by the way and is there anyway to get around their blocking?

Added Feb 2016 by mod:

Discussing how to bypass geographical limitations to watch streaming content is also a no-no (i.e. how to watch Hulu outside the US, how to watch US/Canadian Netflix from Ireland etc. This includes name-dropping proxy sites & services.

Ill be canceling if it happens.

Ive gone through most regions catalogues and Ireland/UK is one of the worst probably because Sky have the rights to so many movies and TV shows.

jeamimus

They have to say this, because it's the legal position and I'm sure they're coming under severe pressure from regional rights holders.

Netflix don't like these regional restrictions, and in the past when they tried to cut off the proxies, the proxy services found a way around ....

Keith186

Is a proxy the same as changing the DNS?

The Irish one is fairly poor alright.

Their share price went down 10% yesterday, probably because people got wind of this being announced.

cashback

Keith186 wrote: »

Is a proxy the same as changing the DNS?

The Irish one is fairly poor alright.

Their share price went down 10% yesterday, probably because people got wind of this being announced.

I'll definitely be cancelling if this happens, as I live in China and can only use it through VPN. Really hope it doesn't.

most people dont use vpn to watch it they use dns,although I presume they will be targeting this also. Ditto il be cancelling.

kirving

A number of factors involved, I'm sure, but Netflix are probably getting into trouble with combined TV and Internet provides who are losing revenue if people are obtaining shows on Netflix, that the same company who provides the connection would otherwise get to sell them.

Netflix in general puts pressure on ISP's in terms of bandwidth. I guess also that international data transfer cost those same ISP's money, whereas if Netflix store the content in the same country, this isn't an issue.

Professey Chin

Jaxton Old Seam wrote: »

most people dont use vpn to watch it they use dns,although I presume they will be targeting this also. Ditto il be cancelling.

The DNS services are a proxy. They just direct your traffic to it so you dont have to install or set up anything locally

phobia2011

I'm due to renew unblokus sub, when does this come into effect

SligoSean

Hi,

I have Unotelly in the UK.

Does anyone know if there's any way to get RTE live through this service?

I hope they don't interfere with this, it makes Netflix worthwhile but I'll cancel if they manage to disable Unotelly.

Sad Professor

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Netflix operate like a tv channel? They purchase the rights to films and tv shows upfront rather than pay per stream like music streaming services, right? So participating content providers aren't hugely affected by users exploiting regional workarounds, at least not in the way that they would with music. They are still getting paid. The ones being hurt are the ones who don't participate, either because of exclusivity deals they are running in different regions or because whoever does own the rights in that region doesn't want to do business with Netflix.

Either way it seems like these regional exploits actually work to Netflix's advantage in convincing international rights holders to get their act together and offer their content to Netflix at a reasonable price – because otherwise users will use these DNS workarounds to get access to Netflix in Canada or wherever where the rights holders are game and Netflix will just pocket all the extra cash they are getting from UK/Irish subscribers.

Obviously Netflix still have to pay lip service by saying "oh yes we're doing all we can to stop this" – but who really believes this? Mostly this blog post they published reads like a bit of public negotiation since all they really say in it is that regional exploits are a problem reflecting the obvious demand for the same or similar content across all regions and they are going to *start* cracking down on these exploits. Why even announce this? If it was really important to them they'd just do it and then talk about it. It's a bit bizarre.

den87

Will definitely be getting rid of Netflix if this happens, Irish Netflix is the absolute worst. Wouldn't even go near it.

J. Marston

Twats. Irish Netflix is bloody poison.

Hopefully the internet figures out a solution.

warpdrive

What a load of sh!t. Will be cancelling if it ends up blocking me from visiting other regions

rawn

Out of curiosity, what regions of Netflix do people watch?? I have only tried the Irish and US

rawn

rawn wrote: »

Out of curiosity, what regions of Netflix do people watch?? I have only tried the Irish and US

I think Canada is one of the best. The likes of Sweden and Netherlands as well are good for some recent movie releases.

warpdrive

rawn wrote: »

Out of curiosity, what regions of Netflix do people watch?? I have only tried the Irish and US

Even the US Netflix is pretty sh!t. Canada and Brazil are decent and from what I've seen, Ukraine has a solid selection of movies. Best thing to do is go on holidays to different regions every once in a while but there are other options to see what the best content available is in one big list...like a travel agency of the best holiday destinations

GetWit.it

J. Marston wrote: »

Twats. Irish Netflix is bloody poison.

Hopefully the internet figures out a solution.

What's the difference between Irish Netflix and American Netflix ?

J. Marston

GetWit.it wrote: »

What's the difference between Irish Netflix and American Netflix ?

US Netflix is Tescos.

Irish Netflix is the small shop round the corner.

xband

Absolutely will be cancelling. The Irish line up is not worth more than €1.00/month max.

US Netflix is Sky
Irish Netfix is Saorview

You get the idea!

The Randy Riverbeast

Im pretty sure this type of thing came up before. If Netflix was serious they could probably just time you down to the catalog available to the country of your payment method. Not sure if paypal give them the address.

It isn't in their interest to do it, subscriptions would be lost and the people who are able to go on holidays around the world are probably the same people who can work out alternatives. The likes of sky would prefer it but I dont see why Netflix would want to help them.

Rips

Hope it doesn't happen.

Even as it is, its particularly annoying with series, when there are a certain number of seasons available in one region, and more available in another, while still all being a season behind general release. Its nonsense.

Ageyev

GetWit.it wrote: »

What's the difference between Irish Netflix and American Netflix ?

About a few thousand titles. I cannot attest to their accuracy but the numbers beneath each flag is the number of titles available in that country. USA Netflix has TV series that would be in regular syndication here such as Law &Order SVU, Frasier and Cheers.




The USA region was closer to 8,000 titles a few months ago. Portugal has a small enough number of titles that you could try to count them.

Ageyev

The Randy Riverbeast wrote: »

Im pretty sure this type of thing came up before. If Netflix was serious they could probably just time you down to the catalog available to the country of your payment method. Not sure if paypal give them the address.

It isn't in their interest to do it, subscriptions would be lost and the people who are able to go on holidays around the world are probably the same people who can work out alternatives. The likes of sky would prefer it but I dont see why Netflix would want to help them.

Afaik previously they were turning a blind eye and playing dumb. This seems significant but as mentioned it could be a negotiating tactic - they still need to follow through with it.

The Randy Riverbeast

Ageyev wrote: »

Afaik previously they were turning a blind eye and playing dumb. This seems significant but as mentioned it could be a negotiating tactic - they still need to follow through with it.

im nearly sure this exact same thing came up before though. There's stuff from this time last year but the articles are updated with Netflix saying they aren't doing anything.

In April they updated the terms and conditions to say they can cut you off for it but again, empty threat.

I won't be too concerned until the point where they actually do it. Then I'll cancel my subscription.

Lone Stone

Ugh il cancel if that happens

Lingua Franca

Deleted User wrote: »

I think Canada is one of the best. The likes of Sweden and Netherlands as well are good for some recent movie releases.

Netherlands here. No. Netherlands Netflix is awful, probably worse than Ireland. There's bugger all on it and it never gets updated.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Have they said when they're planning on doing this?

Ageyev

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Have they said when they're planning on doing this?

Next few weeks is hinted...

Lingua Franca wrote: »

Netherlands here. No. Netherlands Netflix is awful, probably worse than Ireland. There's bugger all on it and it never gets updated.

Depends what you're looking for. I have found Netherlands to be a decent place to visit when a subscriber of Netflix at times.

The Randy Riverbeast wrote: »

im nearly sure this exact same thing came up before though. There's stuff from this time last year but the articles are updated with Netflix saying they aren't doing anything.

In April they updated the terms and conditions to say they can cut you off for it but again, empty threat.

I won't be too concerned until the point where they actually do it. Then I'll cancel my subscription.

Same boat. We'll see what happens but this issue has been building. A court challenge by distributors could change the game (purely speculative and imo)

montreal2011

http://www.moreflicks.com

Rjd2

Ageyev wrote: »

Afaik previously they were turning a blind eye and playing dumb. This seems significant but as mentioned it could be a negotiating tactic - they still need to follow through with it.

Exactly, I have seen a lot of annoyance towards neflix for this planned clampdown, but to be honest they have been hassled about this for years by powerful people and the more countries they set up in, they get more and more criticism about vpns. I think they would be content to turn a blind eye and pay lip service about clamping down, but I think they probably have had enough sadly.

Its crazy really, I don't want to torrent etc, but may have to consider it if this comes in, Ireland netflix while not awful is something I have no interest in been subscribed to for 12 months a year.

Ageyev

Rjd2 wrote: »

Exactly, I have seen a lot of annoyance towards neflix for this planned clampdown, but to be honest they have been hassled about this for years by powerful people and the more countries they set up in, they get more and more criticism about vpns. I think they would be content to turn a blind eye and pay lip service about clamping down, but I think they probably have had enough sadly.

Its crazy really, I don't want to torrent etc, but may have to consider it if this comes in, Ireland netflix while not awful is something I have no interest in been subscribed to for 12 months a year.

I think that the most vocal "I'm going to cancel" subscribers while they could make a dent are unlikely to be a significant force - it is still awkward and complicated to use a VPN. There was the Hola scandal last year.

I agree Ireland Netflix isn't worth it but seriously, how many Ireland&UK based subs agree? (IReland and UK is essentially the same region - 60million+ potential customers with little competition outside of Amazon who don't operate in the 26 county Ireland.

They may crackdown on some geo-workarounds but people will still be able to go on holidays and many geo- services will find a workaround. It's a waiting game now.

coldcake

We'll they can kiss my sub goodbye if they do. Irish Netflix is crap

lee_baby_simms

If they follow through with this I'll have to cancel and use an android box.

jeamimus

Ageyev wrote: »

Amazon who don't operate in the 26 county Ireland.

Is this true? I havent tried to get them here yet, but when I was abroad I got them on a roku box (dns USA) and, unlike netflix, never realised that there were geographic differences.

jeamimus

A few points..

This has happened before, and it all worked out well.

Netflix probably doesn't want to do this; Its not in their interest, but they are being threatened with multibilion law suits

Doing this may be outside the control of Netflix.

Next, the performing rights people might target the unblockers, but as they close one down another will spring up...and they may be located in juristictions which are unsympathetic to such action.

Eventually, content producers will stop carving up content geographically, or Netflix will only buy or produce content which is global.

This was reported prominently by RTE, who have a conflict of interest here.

Liam O

The Irish Netflix did introduce me to Always Sunny which is probably my favourite show and has some good content, but at this stage I've probably bled it dry, even being on the US one for the majority of time a year. Netflix is probably worth the 7 or 8 euro a month for their own content but as it is now with the US one it's worth a bit more than that to me so it'd definitely make it less attractive to me. The likes of Daredevil, Narcos, House of Cards, Better Caul Saul on the Irish one would cost you more in box sets than a years Netflix if it didn't exist. Obviously you could pirate but giving nothing back to the creation of content doesn't really sit right with me. I'll watch the odd episode of a show on one of the bad sites but Netflix would provide 95% of my content.

ThisRegard

I seem to be in the minority but I don't find the Irish version poor. Poorer than say the US, of course. But not poor in itself.

I think your viewing habits may cloud peoples opinions on it. Someone like me with a couple of kids who only gets to watch say 2 hours max of TV a night, it's more than adequate. If you do nothing but watch TV then I can see why you may be disappointed.

The only aspect I was initially disappointed with was the kids catalogue, but that has improved now.

xband wrote: »

Absolutely will be cancelling. The Irish line up is not worth more than €1.00/month max.

Stuff like this is absolute nonsense though.

Used my free month with a new credit card before Christmas there to watch Jessica Jones. They have significantly more of their own content now than last time I subscribed but to say an Irish account is worth the same as a UK or US is madness, the difference in content is night and day.

I think the reason I stopped subscribing a few years back was because of how they rotated the content, more than a few times I'd have something in my list I'd go watch and find it was rotated out , which I hated, especially when it's a TV series you are half way through.

I think a huge problem here is that we are simply too small to license larger amounts of content for unfortunately, I'd love if we could legally get Amazon Prime. I thought there was something mentioned at EU level a year or two ago regarding licensing of content by companies to try and make them license for the EU as a whole as opposed to individual countries, but haven't heard anything come of that

richardw001

Deleted User wrote: »

Used my free month with a new credit card before Christmas there to watch Jessica Jones. They have significantly more of their own content now than last time I subscribed but to say an Irish account is worth the same as a UK or US is madness, the difference in content is night and day.

I think the reason I stopped subscribing a few years back was because of how they rotated the content, more than a few times I'd have something in my list I'd go watch and find it was rotated out , which I hated, especially when it's a TV series you are half way through.

I think a huge problem here is that we are simply too small to license larger amounts of content for unfortunately, I'd love if we could legally get Amazon Prime. I thought there was something mentioned at EU level a year or two ago regarding licensing of content by companies to try and make them license for the EU as a whole as opposed to individual countries, but haven't heard anything come of that

I think the point you have made about EU licensing is very valid.
i'm sure if this was open it would make a difference and bring the selection of material in Ireland up to the same standard as the other geo regions.

This article below is a bit more informative that the RTE one I think :-)

http://www.wired.com/2016/01/netflix-will-block-vpns-for-now-but-its-real-goal-is-global-tv/

ixoy

[Deleted User] wrote: »

to say an Irish account is worth the same as a UK or US is madness, the difference in content is night and day.

Eh, the Irish content is the same as the UK. Far from madness to suggest that they're worth the same.

I thought there was something mentioned at EU level a year or two ago regarding licensing of content by companies to try and make them license for the EU as a whole

My understanding is that they're just pushing for you to be able to access the content you paid for from anywhere in the EU. So basically being able to always access the Irish content. That's quite different to enforcing licensing across the EU.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

I think if they had more of their original content, like 2 series every month and maybe a few non Adam Sandler films a year then maybe the 7 or 8.99 a month for just the Irish/UK wouldn't be so bad.

ibFoxer

ixoy wrote: »

Eh, the Irish content is the same as the UK. Far from madness to suggest that they're worth the same.

Except it's not, or at least not all of it- the missus watches Reign, which Netflix have the broadcast rights for Season 3 in the UK. Not available on Irish Netflix.

McG

already seems to be in place. My wife tried to watch Gilmore Girls (Netflix US only) this morning but no sign of it.

Sad Professor

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I think if they had more of their original content, like 2 series every month and maybe a few non Adam Sandler films a year then maybe the 7 or 8.99 a month for just the Irish/UK wouldn't be so bad.

Well that's their goal: to become HBO. The writing is on the wall for Netflix as far as content licensing is concerned. Prices are just going to get more expensive. And wait until they have some serious competition. They know that's a dead end which is why all their focus now is on creating original content that they own and control.

ibFoxer

McG wrote: »

already seems to be in place. My wife tried to watch Gilmore Girls (Netflix US only) this morning but no sign of it.

I will have a look at lunch and report back.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Sad Professor wrote: »

Well that's their goal: to become HBO. The writing is on the wall for Netflix as far as content licensing is concerned. Prices are just going to get more expensive. And wait until they have some serious competition. They know that's a dead end which is why all their focus now is on creating original content that they own and control.

I should have specified their original content plus all the films. If they start to become more of a network/studio in their own right I'm not sure it's worth the money.

It's a shame Irish Netflix isn't better than it is. We don't have Amazon as competition, Sky is technically a British channel too so I don't know that it should impact what's on our version. Historically Irish people have a good relationship with cinema and film. Improving their service here while there's still little legal alternative seems like something worth doing. Instead they're risking losing a large number of subscribers.

Maybe in the grand scheme of things Ireland as a whole is just to small to matter financially in a good way or a bad.

Dodge

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Maybe in the grand scheme of things Ireland as a whole is just to small to matter financially in a good way or a bad.

That's exactly it. We, effectively, get the British netflix because it isn't worth their while operating an Irish only service (when the British service can suffice)

Think people are being a little OTT here too. There's plenty on it that isn't available on the US netflix but, of course, it's handy to have the option of both.

The ongoing EU/geoblocking court case will have hug implications for netflix (and all online media comanies)

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Dodge wrote: »

That's exactly it. We, effectively, get the British netflix because it isn't worth their while operating an Irish only service (when the British service can suffice)

Think people are being a little OTT here too. There's plenty on it that isn't available on the US netflix but, of course, it's handy to have the option of both.

Yeah, if you think about it even 8.99 a month would only get you one film at the cinema. If you even watched one a week on Netflix and binge watched a season of an old show and one original content show it's still good value. I guess it depends on what you're looking for.

Sad Professor

I'm not sure Netflix have much motivation to improve the Irish/UK catalogue when subscribers numbers are high, either because users are happy with the content on it (due to lack of competition) or because they are accessing other regions using workarounds. Why should Netflix pay for the same content in multiple territories when they can pay for it once?

This is why I don't think they are serious about cracking down on regional exploits.

Dodge

We generally use it for their own stuff, and kids content. As others have said I don't think I get to watch TV more than 2/3 hours a day and netflix is more of a "fill the gaps" provider than anything

(although my plan is only raising to 7.99 in February)