Netflix is an international streaming service that is available in almost every country in the world. It offers previously released movies and TV shows, in addition to quite a bit of great original content. The amount you pay and the library you can view depends on where you are located in the world. There is no limit on the amount of content you are able to view. In this Netflix review, we’ll take a closer look at the service to see if you want to join the service.
Netflix was founded on August 29th, 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph. Marc worked as a marketing director for Hastings’ company, the Pure Atria Corporation. These gentlemen allegedly came up with the idea while waiting for government regulators to approve a merger between Pure Atria and Rational Software Corporation. Though Hastings is often quoted about being charged $40 for a late fee at Blockbuster on a movie, the story is an apocryphal one designed to explain the business model. As the internet became faster and cheaper, these gentlemen changed their goal to be the biggest streaming company in the world.
Since almost every country has their own Netflix library, it is safe to say they have succeeded. Currently, all subscribers must watch programming from the region they are in. If you are traveling outside your normal region, you would need to connect to a VPN first before attempting to watch to gain access.
Netflix Pricing Packages
For the sake of this review, we will use the US monthly pricing for the service. Though some members complain about their pricing, the service has stayed at a good rate for some time. Be sure to grab a free 30-day trial so you can test the service.
- Basic $7.99 – With the basic service, you can watch the service on only 1 screen at a time. Streaming quality in this package is standard.
- Standard $9.99 – This version is two dollars more. For the extra money, you get the option of 2 simultaneous streams and HD content.
- Premium $11.99 – In the premium package, you get 4 simultaneous screens and Ultra HD (4k) content.
Netflix Top Shows
Though libraries of different Netflix regions vary, their original shows stay fairly consistent. Of course, some are excluded in some countries. Here is the list of the top original Netflix shows available.
- Orange is the New Black – Launched in 2013, this series is based on the memoir book Orange is the New Black: My Year in Women’s Prison by Piper Kerman. It is an American comedy-drama created by Jenji Kohan. The show takes place in a women’s prison in New York. It often deals with complex issues are seldom seen in any show.
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt – This show was created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock. It is a comedy about a really positive 29-year-old female that moves from Indiana to New York City. The show was originally supposed to air in the spring of 2015 on NBC, but it was sold to Netflix which ensured it had a second season.
- BoJack Horseman – This animated series is set in a world where humans and anthropomorphic animals are able to interact. Bojack Horseman is a former ’90s sitcom star. As he tries to resurrect his career, he often has mixed results.
- Master of None – This show is really good and it is written by Aziz Ansari. He is also the main character. It is a post-racial dating and relationship sitcom about millennials. You watch him and the cast navigate through different situations including dealing with his immigrant parents. It very cleverly done, and there is no telling what you may see in the show.
- G.L.O.W. – Another show from Jenji Kohan, this show is a fictional account about the Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling. During the 1980s, GLOW was a female professional wrestling league that featured even more outlandish and over the top characters than the WWE (then, the WWF). The show is fun and done well.
There are quite a few more shows worth taking a look at. Netflix has done a great job of stepping up their game. With a goal of making their service indispensable, they have had many successes and even a failure.
Devices Supported by Netflix
Netflix is available on all sorts of devices. They have done a splendid job of getting their own TV buttons on smart TVs, but you can also watch on Roku, Chromecast, Xbox, PlayStation, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, iOS, Android, and more. In reality, almost any device that connects to the web is supported by Netflix. However, you should check their website or contact their customer service if you have a question about compatibility.
Conclusion
Before we start the conclusion of this Netflix review, we will go over the pros and cons of this service.
Pros
- Large library of titles
- Ultra HD content available
- 30-day trial
- Up to 4 simultaneous streams available
Cons
- Must watch library available in your current region
- No live option
And there you have it. Netflix is one of the top streaming services in the world for a reason. They have positioned themselves well and have great original content as well as favorites from other networks. With the exception of the licensing rights, there is not much to be critical about. If you are looking for an entertainment hub, you should give Netflix a shot.
